Purchased old macbook from estate sale

[Mz3pp3lin]

So I recently purchased an old MacBook from a woman who got it from an estate sale. It’s the old black one (MacBook 3,1) 2007 is the year it came out I believe.
Running OS X version 10.5.
Once I got it charged up and turned on, I’m logged into the admin account already and was just wondering if there is a way to factory reset this computer without admin password or startup disc?
I can also include photos of computer if necessary.
I have a few more issues I’d like to ask about but I’ll wait till this issue has been resolved.
(Sorry in advance if this post is not allowed. (I’m new here) I read the rules but didn’t see anything forbidding this sort of post)
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[EugW]

How are you in the admin account without the password? Is it an admin account without a password? Or was it in sleep mode without a password requirement on wake?

Personally, I would recommend getting a copy of 10.7.5 and installing that from scratch. That assumes the firmware isn't password protected.

 

[Weaselboy]

I’m logged into the admin account already and was just wondering if there is a way to factory reset this computer without admin password or startup disc?

It won't quite be a full reset, but pretty close... while in that admin account go into System Prefs and Users & Groups then add a new admin account for yourself. Then reboot and login to your new admin account and go back to Users & Groups and remove the old admin account and all its data.

 

[EugW]

It won't quite be a full reset, but pretty close... while in that admin account go into System Prefs and Users & Groups then add a new admin account for yourself. Then reboot and login to your new admin account and go back to Users & Groups and remove the old admin account and all its data.

That would work for now but 10.5.8 is too old. 10.7.5 is already bad enough but 10.5.8 is that much worse.

 

[Mz3pp3lin]

How are you in the admin account without the password? Is it an admin account without a password? Or was it in sleep mode without a password requirement on wake?

Personally, I would recommend getting a copy of 10.7.5 and installing that from scratch. That assumes the firmware isn't password protected.

When I charged it up and turned it on, I was already logged into the admin account somehow. Though when I try to change setting or download software a password is required. Thanks for the advice, I’ll give it a try if I can’t find a solution that won’t cost me anything!
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It won't quite be a full reset, but pretty close... while in that admin account go into System Prefs and Users & Groups then add a new admin account for yourself. Then reboot and login to your new admin account and go back to Users & Groups and remove the old admin account and all its data.

It will not allow me to make any changes or add user accounts without admin password...

 

[mwhals]

Check this link as it might be what you need.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3506318

 

[Mz3pp3lin]

Check this link as it might be what you need.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3506318

I’ve tried that method already. Command+S don’t do anything when booting up and computer just starts as normal and takes me to home screen. Unless I’m doing something incorrectly?

 

[EugW]

So, the easiest way is just to reinstall the OS (ideally with 10.7) assuming there is no firmware password. (Usually, nobody sets the firmware password.)

 

[arkieboy72472]

If you get a thumb drive (16GB) I can hook you up with a link to the OS. get a spare thumb drive and i know of some good supplementary software.

 

[Mz3pp3lin]

So, the easiest way is just to reinstall the OS (ideally with 10.7) assuming there is no firmware password. (Usually, nobody sets the firmware password.)

Thanks, this is probably what I’ll do at this point.