Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Password problem - Help !

P

pedropeter

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 7, 2012
18
0
This morning I collected my repaired iMac 21.5 - after 3 months the hard drive had failed and was replaced.
However, it won't accept my Password even though I know it's correct !
I can't change the password using System Preferences - Accounts as it will not accept my old password !
So, I need to use an Install disk to access info to enable a password change- apparently, the SAME disk that originally came with the machine. However, I am not sure which disk it is - I have a 10.5.6 disk labelled 2009 and a 10.6.4 disk labelled 2010.
The machine says it's running 10.6.8, and I also bought a Snow Leopard Retail Disk 10.6.3.
I have also read 'either use a disk which is closest to the current system' but also that unless I use the Exact Install disk version it can prevent me accessing my new account info'
Any suggestions as to which disk I should use to set up new passwords etc ?
 
Problem is I'm in Spain at the moment for health reasons, and the repair was done in an authorised Spanish repairer and I can't speak much Spanish !

Will the machine not simply reject disks if it is not the original install disk ?
I was told that by having the Retail disk 10.6.3 I could use it...

A possibility ?
 
If it is a 2010 Mac, it will need an OS version higher than 10.6.3 (which is on the 29 USD Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard DVD), as 10.6.3 does not contain drivers for 2010/2011 hardware.
 
OK guys - IF I fail to resolve the password issue even though I know it is correct - would a way of getting out of this as a last resort be to re-format the drive ?
I know I would lose all but have it backed up anyway.
Would this enable me to set up a new account and use the machine as I would like ?
 
pedropeter said:
OK guys - IF I fail to resolve the password issue even though I know it is correct - would a way of getting out of this as a last resort be to re-format the drive ?
I know I would lose all but have it backed up anyway.
Would this enable me to set up a new account and use the machine as I would like ?
Click to expand...

The rule about having the right disks still holds true I'm afraid...You might end up with nothing if you don't have the correct media...As posted above.
 
Macman45 said:
The rule about having the right disks still holds true I'm afraid...You might end up with nothing if you don't have the correct media...As posted above.
Click to expand...

OK - but if the disks I try are not the correct matched one - surely they won't boot up ?
Is it a case of trial and error ?
 
As I said, I can live with losing the data as it's backed up.

What worries me is that if it won't accept my correct log-in password which I know is 110% correct - there's no guarantee it will accept my admin. password is there ?
 
Will work today on the available options - I have until April 5th when the 12 month warranty expires - my last option will be to return it to the repairers, and in my best written babelfish translation into Spanish, tell them the problem.
Couldn't they achieve the new account, start up setting I want by using a system restore disk ?
After all - the iMac is not useable without the password configuration.
Any thoughts here most welcome.
 
This might seem simple, but have you tried leaving the password field blank and hitting OK?

A lot of repair shops will simply reset your password to nothing if you don't give it to them or they cannot reach you to get it from you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back