IMac won't boot after trying to reset password

[LindaH]

HELP! I bought a 2006 intel iMac, had problems with the administrator password, looked online to get info about resetting it. I went into the single user mode, typed some code per instructions I had read online. Not only did that not work, but when I tried to restart the computer, it will not reboot. It just runs the startup icon screen with spinning apple.
I tried the following:
Resetting PRAM
running disc utilities from the single user mode (this came back OK)
Unplugging and re plugging it.

I think it must be something I did when I was in single user mode that disrupted the start up because it was fast and easy to start before...just couldn't access the password from previous owner.

I have no startup discs. Help!

Linda

 

[NVRENUF!]

is there any data you need?

if not i would do a clean install again.

where are you ? You need a copy of an install disc ?

 

[LindaH]

Thank you for your suggestion. I only have the OSX install on a Zip drive. I can't figure out how to reinstall it when the machine won't boot up. I will take it to a repair place today, I guess, ain't see if they can get it running.

Linda

 

[justperry]

Thank you for your suggestion. I only have the OSX install on a Zip drive. I can't figure out how to reinstall it when the machine won't boot up. I will take it to a repair place today, I guess, ain't see if they can get it running.

Linda

What exactly did you type, link to site?

 

[LindaH]

I tried a couple of different suggestions, but the one that seems to have been the last was
Mount -uw/
Launch ctl load/ system/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AppleDirectoryServices.plist
Ls/users (to get user name for old administrator)
Dscl -passwd / Admin/ dragonfly56 (old user name, new password)
Reboot

Another thing I typed was
Mount -uw/
Rm/ var/db/Applesetupdone
Shutdown -h now

These were supposed to be 2 different ways to solve the password access problem. Do you have any idea if I could correct this? Did I create some command that doesn't allow the machine to come on?

 

[blueroom]

At this point I'd reinstall OSX and restore from backup.

 

[LindaH]

Will I have to do the reinstall from discs?

 

[blueroom]

Yes, you'll need either the DVDs or a USB key installer. If you have a Time Machine backup it'll be pretty easy to restore.

Which OSX were you running?

 

[justperry]

I tried a couple of different suggestions, but the one that seems to have been the last was
Mount -uw/
Launch ctl load/ system/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AppleDirectoryServices.plist
Ls/users (to get user name for old administrator)
Dscl -passwd / Admin/ dragonfly56 (old user name, new password)
Reboot

Another thing I typed was
Mount -uw/
Rm/ var/db/Applesetupdone
Shutdown -h now

These were supposed to be 2 different ways to solve the password access problem. Do you have any idea if I could correct this? Did I create some command that doesn't allow the machine to come on?

What I find odd here is the two things you did, why use the second command procedure if you did the first and visa versa.

For instance, afaik if you remove the file Applesetupdone that would force the machine into a new setup.
You should have used the mv command, then at least you could move it back, now it is deleted.