Creating an Adminstrator User in Single User Mode? (Tiger)

[ardesigns]

Hi. I lost the install disk for my computer (Mac OS X 10.4, Tiger), and need to change my password (I forgot it ). I can only access single user mode. Is there any way that I can create an Administrator-Status user in Single User Mode? (NOTE: The "root" user isn't really an option since I enabled it a while ago and it has the same password as my current user, which I forgot...).

Thanks,
ARDesigns

P.S.
I have already tried this tutorial:
http://www.macshadows.com/kb/index.php?title=Gain_Administrative_Control_of_Mac_OS_X
But could not get beyond the "sh etc/rc" part. I typed that in and it outputted a bunch of lines, then went to a blank, blue screen where all I could do was move my mouse . Maybe if someone could help me fix that problem, I could use the solution found in that tutorial? I'm not really sure though, I'm lost! Please help! Thanks again!

 

[jcs1088]

I'm on leopard, so I'm sure if this will work or not. You can create a new account and set it as admim. Or you could just delete you keychain and start a new one.

 

[ardesigns]

Well the problem is I can't get on the computer! Single User Mode is all I've got...

Thanks,
ARDesigns

 

[bluedoggiant]

Apple Store will gladly lend you a restore disc while in store. At least they should, try callling.

 

[ardesigns]

Ehh...I'd rather do it myself than wait a few days in a line...

Thanks,
ARDesigns

 

[Sky Blue]

If you know the name of one user, try this.

Boot into single user mode. Substitute the youruser name below. Then continue with:

mount -uw /
nicl -raw /var/db/netinfo/local.nidb -merge /groups/admin users youruser

If you get a message saying "invalid path", then type these two commands first:

nicl -raw /var/db/netinfo/local.nidb -create /groups/admin gid 80


nicl -raw /var/db/netinfo/local.nidb -create /groups/admin passwd '*'

and then repeat the "nicl ... -merge" command. Then:

reboot

You will now be able to login as 'youruser' and have administrative privileges.

 

[ardesigns]

No, I don't know the name ! The login window isn't in list mode. Maybe I'm not doing this right, but I'm supposed to go into Single User Mode, and after typing fsck -y and mount -uaw , I'm supposed to type sh /etc/rc and then hit enter/return? When I do that there are some lines outputted, and then the screen just goes blue?!

Thanks!

~ARDesigns

 

[bluedoggiant]

One quick question, what mac is it, and when was the last time you used it, and when did you buy it?

 

[ardesigns]

MacBook Pro, bought sometime last year. Mac OS X 10.4.9 Tiger.
I don't think that's very relevant though, is it?

Thanks,
ARDesigns

 

[ardesigns]

Anyone know why sh etc/rc behaves this way?!

Thanks!

~ARDesigns

 

[brand]

Its hard for me to understand someone not knowing their password but I can comprehend it but how do you not know your own user name?

 

[ardesigns]

Problem solved. Deleted the .AppleSetupDone file .

Thanks!

~ARDesigns

 

[CarlosH]

MacBook Pro, bought sometime last year. Mac OS X 10.4.9 Tiger.
I don't think that's very relevant though, is it?

Thanks,
ARDesigns

It is relevant when someone doesn't even knows the users on his computer. I may only imagine this if that computer was stolen and you are trying to access the data, but well, hope this is not the case.

 

[ardesigns]

Thanks for your blatant rudeness, and no, I have the receipt in my email, I can forward it to you if you'd like. I was repairing it.

~ARDesigns

 

[CarlosH]

Thanks for your blatant rudeness, and no, I have the receipt in my email, I can forward it to you if you'd like. I was repairing it.

~ARDesigns

Sorry man, you just got me on a wrong day. Like 2 days before that post, my new macbook pro was stolen from my car, it had merely 5 days since I bought it. Nice yours is not what I thought then. Good luck clearing the password. Still, that doesn't explain why you didn't remember your username...just kidding.

 

[moonjoose]

Easy Fix

Not sure why people are jumping to the conclusion that you've stolen it. I just bought an old Mac on eBay that has come from a university and I have the same issue. I do have install disks, but I can't be bothered with all that, as this is easy to fix.

Boot into single user mode (Command + S on startup).
Type: sh /etc/rc

Now, if you don't know any usernames on the system, just type the following:

cd /Users
ls

Now you can look at the directory name, which will be the same as the username.

passwd username

Enter your new password.

shutdown -r now

Mac will reboot and you can now log in. Go to System Prefs and set up a new admin user account, or whatever you want.

Job done.