Single User Mode PW Reset: 10.7 Lion

[nelz886]

Previously in 10.5/10.6 to reset a user's password in single-user mode one would have to type this:

mount -uw /
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
dscl . passwd /Users/SHORTNAMEGOESHERE newpasswordhere

Nice, but this doesn't work in 10.7 Lion. In addition, you are prevented from changing the root password in single-user mode.

Do this in 10.7 Lion; boot into single-user mode and type:

mount -uw /
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.opendirectoryd.plist

^ after typing this, you may now use 'passwd root' to change the root password

Now you can continue reseting the user's password:

dscl . passwd /Users/bob bobsnewpassword

** You may see an error message that states com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist cannot be found; ignore this in Lion.

[macmba]

Actually... you can just:

mount -uw /
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
passwd <username>

It works.

[nelz886]

Originally Posted by macmba

Actually... you can just:

mount -uw /
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
passwd <username>

It works.

This works in Snow Leopard, not in Lion. com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist was removed in Lion

[mrapplegate]

Try this. Read the comments for added suggestions.


http://hints.macworld.com/article.ph...10727063028750


Apple has removed the utility to reset a password and restore a user's folder permissions from the Recovery HD. If you need it, you have to open Terminal (from the Recovery HD Utility menu) and type:

resetpassword

Then the old Reset Password application opens.

By the way the old hint to reset a user password by booting in single user mode is no longer working: the file /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist no longer exists.

[nelz886]

Right. I provided instructions on how to reset the password via Single-User mode in Lion.

[dvot]

@ nelz886

I followed your instructions, but I get the following error message after entering new root password (repeated twice), "Could not verify credentials because the directory server does not support the requested authentication method"

Any other tips?