Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iMac G4 - reinstall Mac OS X

L

llimac

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 30, 2014
1
0
Hi everyone,

I recently got an iMac G4 PowerPC from my workplace. When I turn it on it (obviously) asks for a login and a password, which I don't know.

Any suggestions on how to solve that? (I doubt it)

Anyway,I don't mind reinstalling the OS, so that's what I'm trying now.

I don't exactly know which version of OS X is running, but it's not a very old one. I tried booting recovery mode (command+R) and it doesn't.
Also tried booting in safe mode: sometimes it doesn't but when it does, it asks for the password.

Then I tried downloading a Mac OS X 10.0 and 10.4 install disk DMG's, burning them on CD's, DVD's and even a USB stick (from Disk Utility in a MacBook Pro), booting the G4 while pressing Option but it only appears the main HHD. I also tried booting from the USB using Open Firmware mode (which I have access to) doing this: http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20101011105729488
No success...

I don't have any original Mac OS X install disks.
I have a MacBook Pro that I could use to boot in Target mode, but I don't think it would work because it's an Intel Mac.

I have very little experience with Mac's and PowerPC's
After trying these many options, asking a forum it's the last one, so any help will be greatly appreciated. All I want is to reinstall the OS :apple: i can't belive it can be so difficult...

Thanks in advance,

Steve
 
your workplace? ask them what the password is. next option? BUY a 10.4 RETAIL disc off e-bay or amazon. you should be able to reset the password from the disc. or erase the drive and reinstall the os if you choose.
 
You can remove the password once booted from the install disc. Of course, at that point, you might as well just reinstall entirely. There is no Recovery Mode for OS prior to 10.7 and booting into safe mode will ALWAYS ask for a login password.
 
Tiger should boot any iMac G4. Just make sure you do not mount the DMG file before burning in Disk Utility. Burning in a Macbook is fine.

If it does not work for you, try putting the iMac in Target mode. That will let you access the hard drive via a Firewire cable. You could try deleting the invisible file /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

That will put the current installation into setup mode where it takes you through creating a user account.
 
Create a new admin account by deleting a specific file.

You need to enter terminal and create a new admin account:

1. Reboot
2. Hold Apple + s down after you hear the chime.
3. When you get text prompt, enter these terminal commands to create a brand new admin account (hitting return after each line):

mount -uw /

rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

shutdown -h now

4. After rebooting you should have a brand new admin account. When you login as the new admin you can simply delete the old one and you're good to go again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back