Help needed with password

Discussion in 'MacBook' started by karl33, Aug 19, 2013.

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  1. karl33, Aug 19, 2013

    karl33 macrumors newbie

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    Jan 21, 2012
    #1
    I recently purchased a late 2008 MacBook on eBay. The MacBook was very inexpensive because it has some dents and dings on the corners. Is there a cover or case that I can get that might mask them?

    But, that's not the reason for this post. I am somewhat of a newbie where Macs are concerned. The MacBook works fine but I needed to download a program for work from the Internet. The program downloaded but won't install because the person who owned the MacBook previously, set the system to only install apps from the AppStore. I can't change the password because I don't have the current password. Is there a way to reset the MacBook as if it is new, without having OS X discs? The MacBook is on OS X 10.8. Thanks for any help a head of time.
     
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  2. chabig, Aug 19, 2013

    chabig macrumors 601

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    Sep 6, 2002
    #2
    You'll need discs. Without those, I recommend you take it to an Apple store and see if they will wipe the drive and install OS X.

    Why don't you ask the seller for the administrator password? Then you can create your own admin account and delete his.
     
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  3. karl33, Aug 20, 2013

    karl33 thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #3
    I did ask the seller for the passwords, I just haven't heard from them yet.
     
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  4. Weaselboy, Aug 20, 2013

    Weaselboy Moderator

    Weaselboy

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    California
    #4
    Yes. Just command-r boot to recovery then start Terminal and type in "resetpassword". You will get a box popup where you can pick the user acct you want to reset. Pick that user and enter the new password twice and hit okay.

    Now reboot and you can login with the admin password.

    A suggestion though... after you do this, you should go to users and groups in system prefs and make a new admin account for yourself. Then login to that account and delete the old account from the last user. This way you start fresh with your own account and settings.

    Of course any data you have in the old account will get wiped when you do this.
     
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  5. chabig, Aug 20, 2013

    chabig macrumors 601

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    #5
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  6. karl33, Aug 26, 2013

    karl33 thread starter macrumors newbie

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    Jan 21, 2012
    #6
    It worked! Thanks to all for the help!
     
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