Forgot master password!

[veroniquej]

I forgot my Master Password on my old mac that I haven't used in forever. I need to access some files on it, is there a way to crack this? The hint box is no help!

 

[Reflow]

Do you have an OS to boot from? If so install the CD and reboot holding down the C key. This should make it boot up from the CD. Then you should go to utilities and chose reset password.

 

[veroniquej]

Will this clear out all of my saved information on the hard drive?

 

[sickmacdoc]

No it will not clear anything. The previous poster was not talking about doing a re-install or anything--- just booting with the installation disk and selecting the Reset Password (or similar- it has been a long time since I have seen that) in the menus that are accessible when you get to the first installer screen.

 

[veroniquej]

Didn't seem to work.

There wasn't an option to reset password when I booted with the tiger CD. I went through the install, and it still takes me to the initial log in page where I need the master pass... any ideas on how to get around this?

 

[Guiyon]

I'm assuming that you are referring to the master password for the FileVault encryption system. If so, and you can't remember either the user's password or the master password (if you assigned one), you are SOL; the only way to decrypt the drive image would be to brute force the password using something like vilefault.

If you are not using FileVault and just need to reset the user's login, the options should be under one of the menus once you boot off the Tiger install CD (IIRC, the menu is called Tools or Applications).

 

[veroniquej]

Now I've done it.

Ahh! Is there a way to recover files on a reloaded OS?? When I loaded the OS disk, I hit Archive & Install and it reset all my settings and went back to basics. I just need to recover the old files on the desktop.

Thanks/