As my blue and white G3 is fading fast, I have bought a secondhand iMac G5. The seller has removed the OS X (manually perhaps?) and sent me the two Install discs. These will not install without the Administrator's password (not even to allow me to change it). The seller sent me a string of his usual passwords, but none works, and he referred me to you. What should I do? (I live in the UK). Thank you.
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administrator's password missing
- Thread starter privateowl
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So you stole an iMac G5 and you need help cracking the password?! haha,
Shouldn't you just be able to wipe everything off and start over with the install disks. Just boot from the disc.
I think.
Shouldn't you just be able to wipe everything off and start over with the install disks. Just boot from the disc.
I think.
Are you talking about a firmware password or the actual account password to begin installation of software from within the operating system? The firmware password would be displayed when you try to start up to the installation disc or use any other keyboard shortcut to alter the normal startup process, and you would see a lock on the screen with a password field. There's a picture on http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352. This password can only be cleared by an existing administrator user, by changing the memory configuration (adding/removing a stick or two) and resetting the PRAM (with option+
+P+R), or by starting up in OS 9 (probably not a viable method in your case). I would go with option 2. The PRAM has to be zapped a minimum of 2 times, i.e. you hear the startup chime twice. The computer account password can be reset by following the steps under the heading of "Resetting the original administrator account password" in this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274.
There is also some additional information regarding clearing the firmware password on http://www.mactipsandtricks.com/tips/display.lasso?mactip=118 and the second post in https://macosx.com/tech-support/mac/bypassing-admin-password-to-install-new-os/15106.html
+P+R), or by starting up in OS 9 (probably not a viable method in your case). I would go with option 2. The PRAM has to be zapped a minimum of 2 times, i.e. you hear the startup chime twice. The computer account password can be reset by following the steps under the heading of "Resetting the original administrator account password" in this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274.There is also some additional information regarding clearing the firmware password on http://www.mactipsandtricks.com/tips/display.lasso?mactip=118 and the second post in https://macosx.com/tech-support/mac/bypassing-admin-password-to-install-new-os/15106.html
Thanks.
Something I did from the last reply brought up a password hint and I was able to guess the administrator's password correctly. Thanks for the help.
Something I did from the last reply brought up a password hint and I was able to guess the administrator's password correctly. Thanks for the help.