Change admin passwords as root?

Due to losing some key personnel who had access to our administrator passwords, we need to change all of them. Does anybody know if this might could be by SSHing to the machines and changing them as root, or some such?
I realize I'm probably out of luck, but it sure would be nice to have a way to change them without having to touch every stinking machine!
I also cross-posted this to the ARD forum, in hopes that might be an option. Any suggestions welcome!

Have you tried just using the "passwd" command on each host? It would go something like:
- ssh to host as root
- issue the command "passwd <admin user>" from the shell
- reset the password
However, this still means you have to touch each host. This will always be true unless you have some sort of centralized user management system...

Similar Messages

I recently inherited a power mac from my dad how do i change admin passwords and such so I can use it

I recently inherited a power mac from my dad how do i change admin passwords and such so I can use it?

And if you can't log into the machine at all, you'll need:
Mac OS X: Changing or resetting an account password.
You'll need a system recovery or Mac OS X install disc. Don't drop your Dad's user account, though. If he's got any serialized software, it may not function for all users on the machine, and you may need to go back to his account.

I got my mac from granddaughter.need help to change admin password

i just got my mac from granddaughter. i need help to change the admin password. she has no clue what i am talking about when i ask for the password. please help me. i can't even install my tiger replacement cd until i change the admin password. thanks for your help. lee

Hi, Lee. Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
From this Apple Knowledge Base article:
Start up from a Mac OS X Install disc (one whose version is closest to the version of Mac OS X installed). Usually, you can start from the disc by putting it in your computer, restarting, and holding the C key. Or, put it in the computer and click the Install or Restore icon you see in the disc's main window (after which the computer will start from the disc without you needing to hold C). Or, you can use Startup Manager or the Startup Disk preference pane to select the Install disc.
Choose a language, click the arrow button to continue,
Mac OS X v10.6 or later: Choose Password Reset from the Utilities menu.
Mac OS X v10.5 or v10.4: Choose Reset Password from the Utilities menu.
Mac OS X v10.3: Choose Reset Password from the Installer menu.
Tip: If you don't see this menu or menu choice, you're probably not started from the disc yet.
Note: The default keyboard layout is U.S. English while started from the installation disc. If you use a keyboard layout other than U.S English, use the Input menu (the flag icon on the right side of the menu bar) to select the desired layout before typing a new password.
Select your Mac OS X hard disk volume.
Select the user name of your original administrator account.
Important: Do not select "System Administrator (root)". This is actually the root user. You should not confuse it with a normal administrator account.

Unable to Change Admin Password

Hello,
Since our ECC system's Admin password has expired, I tried using Emergency user (SAP*) to set the things right. When I tried to reset the Admin Password using the option Security Provider --> User Management in Visual Admin, I got the error "Unable to change password !".
This is really hampering our development process as the deployment couldn't be done without the Admin password. Any help in this regard will be highly appreciated.
Bala

Hi Bala,
Please try the following and hope it helps:
- deactivate sap*
- restart system
- goto url http://<server>:<port>/useradmin
- prompts that administrator password has expired, enter new password here
Regards
Srikishan

WVC200 - unable to change admin password or add new users

Hi,
I have WVC200 installed at home. It works fine in terms of viewing video from home and over the net.
However, from the setup page I am unable to change the Admin password or add new users.
Pls help.
rgds
hemant

Hi
hemantparmar11
and
welcome to the Cisco Home Community!
The WVC200 is handled by the Cisco Small Business Support Community.
Please go here for discussions about this device.
The Search Function is your friend.... and Google too.
How to Secure your Network
How to Upgrade Routers Firmware
Setting-Up a Router with DSL Internet Service
Setting-Up a Router with Cable Internet Service
How to Hard Reset or 30/30/30 your Router

How to change admin password for Application Server

Is there any way to change the password for the admin after installation of the app server.
I tried looking into asadmin and the browser based admin pages but could not find any link to change the password.

Hi,
Ate you using sun one application server PE 8, if yes
refer http://docs.sun.com/source/817-6085/troubleshooting.html#invalidPassword
-Amol

Changing admin passwords using ARD/root?

Due to losing some key personnel who had access to our administrator passwords, we need to change all of them. Does anybody know if this might could be done by sending some UNIX command as root to the necessary machines?
I realize I'm probably out of luck, but it sure would be nice to have a way to change them without having to touch every stinking machine!
Message was edited by: LostTexan

Send 1 of 2 Unix commands:
passwd username
newpassword
newpassword
OR
dscl . -passwd /Users/username newpassword
Also, please note that question has been asked and answered many times in the past, so you should always try and help yourself by doing a search before posting.

Issue at change admin password

Hi Guys,
All in my environment works well I have APEX 4.0.2 installed on a WLS 10.3.5. I have ended my developments and a user tell me that the password for the URL
http://app88:37001/apex/apex_admin is not working. So I follow a note in support to change it.
I alter the password of the APEX_04000, and I use the script apxchpwd.sql.
Then I work and all was ok.
After 1 hour the same user report me that the URL to access to the applicaton (http://app88:37001/apex) showed the error:
Error 500--Internal Server Error
oracle.dbtools.rt.service.ServiceLocatorException: Exception occurred in activate() method at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.activate(Provider.java:56) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.match(Provider.java:111) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Providers.match(Providers.java:22) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.ServiceLocator.acquireAll(ServiceLocator.java:97) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.ServiceLocator.acquire(ServiceLocator.java:74) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.inject(Provider.java:137) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.activate(Provider.java:39) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.match(Provider.java:111) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Providers.match(Providers.java:22) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.ServiceLocator.acquireAll(ServiceLocator.java:97) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.ServiceLocator.acquire(ServiceLocator.java:74) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.inject(Provider.java:137) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.activate(Provider.java:39) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.match(Provider.java:111) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Providers.match(Providers.java:22) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.ServiceLocator.acquireAll(ServiceLocator.java:97) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.ServiceLocator.acquire(ServiceLocator.java:74) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.inject(Provider.java:137) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.activate(Provider.java:39) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.match(Provider.java:111) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Providers.match(Providers.java:22) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.ServiceLocator.acquireAll(ServiceLocator.java:97) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.ServiceLocator.acquireAll(ServiceLocator.java:104) at oracle.dbtools.rt.web.RequestDispatchers.choose(RequestDispatchers.java:85) at oracle.dbtools.rt.web.RequestDispatchers.dispatch(RequestDispatchers.java:52) at oracle.dbtools.rt.web.HttpEndpointBase.service(HttpEndpointBase.java:85) at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:820) at weblogic.servlet.internal.StubSecurityHelper$ServletServiceAction.run(StubSecurityHelper.java:227) at weblogic.servlet.internal.StubSecurityHelper.invokeServlet(StubSecurityHelper.java:125) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletStubImpl.execute(ServletStubImpl.java:300) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletStubImpl.execute(ServletStubImpl.java:183) at weblogic.servlet.internal.WebAppServletContext$ServletInvocationAction.wrapRun(WebAppServletContext.java:3717) at weblogic.servlet.internal.WebAppServletContext$ServletInvocationAction.run(WebAppServletContext.java:3681) at weblogic.security.acl.internal.AuthenticatedSubject.doAs(AuthenticatedSubject.java:321) at weblogic.security.service.SecurityManager.runAs(SecurityManager.java:120) at weblogic.servlet.internal.WebAppServletContext.securedExecute(WebAppServletContext.java:2277) at weblogic.servlet.internal.WebAppServletContext.execute(WebAppServletContext.java:2183) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletRequestImpl.run(ServletRequestImpl.java:1454) at weblogic.work.ExecuteThread.execute(ExecuteThread.java:209) at weblogic.work.ExecuteThread.run(ExecuteThread.java:178) Caused by: oracle.dbtools.rt.web.WebException: Unable to start the Universal Connection Pool: oracle.ucp.UniversalConnectionPoolException: Cannot get Connection from Datasource at oracle.dbtools.rt.web.WebException.internalError(WebException.java:124) at oracle.dbtools.rt.query.jdbc.BaseJDBCCallProvider.activated(BaseJDBCCallProvider.java:56) at oracle.dbtools.rt.query.jdbc.ora.OraJDBCCallProvider.activate(OraJDBCCallProvider.java:25) at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0(Native Method) at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(NativeMethodAccessorImpl.java:39) at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:25) at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:597) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.__Reflections.invoke(__Reflections.java:85) at oracle.dbtools.rt.service.Provider.activate(Provider.java:43) ... 39 more Caused by: java.sql.SQLException: Unable to start the Universal Connection Pool: oracle.ucp.UniversalConnectionPoolException: Cannot get Connection from Datasource at oracle.ucp.util.UCPErrorHandler.newSQLException(UCPErrorHandler.java:541) at oracle.ucp.jdbc.PoolDataSourceImpl.throwSQLException(PoolDataSourceImpl.java:588) at oracle.ucp.jdbc.PoolDataSourceImpl.startPool(PoolDataSourceImpl.java:277) at oracle.ucp.jdbc.PoolDataSourceImpl.getConnection(PoolDataSourceImpl.java:647) at oracle.ucp.jdbc.PoolDataSourceImpl.getConnection(PoolDataSourceImpl.java:614) at oracle.ucp.jdbc.PoolDataSourceImpl.getConnection(PoolDataSourceImpl.java:608) at oracle.dbtools.apex.Connections.getConnection(Connections.java:116) at oracle.dbtools.rt.query.jdbc.ora.OraJDBCCallProvider.connection(OraJDBCCallProvider.java:31) at oracle.dbtools.rt.query.jdbc.BaseJDBCCallProvider.activated(BaseJDBCCallProvider.java:44) ... 46 more Caused by: oracle.ucp.UniversalConnectionPoolException: Cannot get Connection from Datasource at oracle.ucp.util.UCPErrorHandler.newUniversalConnectionPoolException(UCPErrorHandler.java:421) at oracle.ucp.util.UCPErrorHandler.newUniversalConnectionPoolException(UCPErrorHandler.java:389) at oracle.ucp.jdbc.DataSourceConnectionFactoryAdapter.createConnection(DataSourceConnectionFactoryAdapter.java:106) at oracle.ucp.common.UniversalConnectionPoolImpl$UniversalConnectionPoolInternal.createOnePooledConnectionInternal(UniversalConnectionPoolImpl.java:1613) at oracle.ucp.common.UniversalConnectionPoolImpl$UniversalConnectionPoolInternal.access$600(UniversalConnectionPoolImpl.java:1421) at oracle.ucp.common.UniversalConnectionPoolImpl.createOnePooledConnection(UniversalConnectionPoolImpl.java:488) at oracle.ucp.common.UniversalConnectionPoolImpl.addNewConnections(UniversalConnectionPoolImpl.java:988) at oracle.ucp.common.UniversalConnectionPoolBase.getInitialConnections(UniversalConnectionPoolBase.java:541) at oracle.ucp.common.UniversalConnectionPoolBase.start(UniversalConnectionPoolBase.java:655) at oracle.ucp.jdbc.PoolDataSourceImpl.startPool(PoolDataSourceImpl.java:271) ... 52 more Caused by: java.sql.SQLException: ORA-28000: the account is locked at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CTTIoer.processError(T4CTTIoer.java:440) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CTTIoer.processError(T4CTTIoer.java:389) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CTTIoer.processError(T4CTTIoer.java:382) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CTTIfun.processError(T4CTTIfun.java:573) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CTTIoauthenticate.processError(T4CTTIoauthenticate.java:431) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CTTIfun.receive(T4CTTIfun.java:445) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CTTIfun.doRPC(T4CTTIfun.java:191) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CTTIoauthenticate.doOAUTH(T4CTTIoauthenticate.java:366) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CTTIoauthenticate.doOAUTH(T4CTTIoauthenticate.java:752) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CConnection.logon(T4CConnection.java:366) at oracle.jdbc.driver.PhysicalConnection.(PhysicalConnection.java:536) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CConnection.(T4CConnection.java:228) at oracle.jdbc.driver.T4CDriverExtension.getConnection(T4CDriverExtension.java:32) at oracle.jdbc.driver.OracleDriver.connect(OracleDriver.java:521) at oracle.jdbc.pool.OracleDataSource.getPhysicalConnection(OracleDataSource.java:280) at oracle.jdbc.pool.OracleDataSource.getConnection(OracleDataSource.java:207) at oracle.ucp.jdbc.DataSourceConnectionFactoryAdapter.createConnection(DataSourceConnectionFactoryAdapter.java:100) ... 59 more
So I unlocked the passwords of APEX_04000, APEX_PUBLIC_USER and FLOWS_FILES to the same. ALso change the java size. After all I got the following error:
Error 404--Not Found
From RFC 2068 Hypertext Transfer Protocol -- HTTP/1.1:
10.4.5 404 Not Found
The server has not found anything matching the Request-URI. No indication is given of whether the condition is temporary or permanent.
If the server does not wish to make this information available to the client, the status code 403 (Forbidden) can be used instead. The 410 (Gone) status code SHOULD be used if the server knows, through some internally configurable mechanism, that an old resource is permanently unavailable and has no forwarding address.
Any help will be appreciated?

Hi Olga,
I alter the password of the APEX_04000, and I use the script apxchpwd.sql. As far as I know, this script doesn't change anything concerning the database users. It just resets the password for the ADMIN user of the APEX internal workspace ("APEX_ADMIN").
So the root cause for the stack trace you see, which is
java.sql.SQLException: ORA-28000: the account is lockedmust be located somewhere else...
So I unlocked the passwords of APEX_04000, APEX_PUBLIC_USER and FLOWS_FILES to the same.Usually you'll just use APEX_PUBLIC_USER with your APEX Listener, so you don't need to unlock the others. I'm not sure what locked APEX_PUBLIC_USER on your system. Possibly you haven't disabled password aging and the account got locked because the password change didn't happen in time.
If you chose a different password than the one you configured your APEX Listener with, you'll have to reconfigure it. To do that, you can either edit or delete the apex-config.xml that your APEX Listener is configured to use. Deleting would let you re-run */apex/listenerConfigure* , i.e. you start with a fresh configuration. If you prefer to just reset the password, you can simply put the new password into the corresponding entry. Since you probably don't want to encrypt the password yourself, you can simply use the plain password and put a ! in front of it, e.g.
<entry key="apex.db.password">!newpassword</entry>The APEX Listener will take the passoword and store the encrypted value into the file upon the first start after the change.
You need to restart the APEX Listener in either case.
-Udo

Resetting the Admin password in single user mode

Ok, my friend bought an old Imac from someone she went to school with with OS 10.4.2 on it. It works fine except that she can not install any programs because there is an admin password that she does not know. She asked the person she bought it from, he says he doesn't even remember setting a password. Normaly with this issue id just pop in the install disk and reset it from there, except neither of them have the install disk, and my install disk is to current for the machine. Does anyone know how I can reset the admin acount using single user mode commands? I can do it on my Mac Book pro but it doesn't seem to work the same way on 10.4. Please help!
EDIT: It is a Power PC G3 if that helps.
Message was edited by: CartooNxHerO

CartooNxHerO wrote:
Ok, so I used the advice from the third link you gave me but i'm still in single user mode trying to figure out how to delete the users home folders.
Message was edited by: CartooNxHerO
You do not need to delete "the users home folders". Nor do you need to delete the netinfo database. Here are two proceedures:
Change Password
Mac OS X:
Changing or resetting an account password via GUI:
Resetting a user's password
Resetting the original administrator account password
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106156
You do not have a CD/DVD
Changing password from single user mode:
You can also change the administrator's password from single user mode or create a new administrator account.
You need to get into single use mode for steps one and two that are listed below.
This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492
Basically, you hold down the command-s key then powering on your machine. The command key has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar. On a PC keyboard, it will be the windows key, I think.
1) You can change the password on an account. ( Do you know Unix. You are in a Unix single user console. ) The setup commands you need should be listed on the screen. For Mac OS 10.4.11, the commands are:
# Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write:
/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /
# Start up some utility processes that are needed.
sh /etc/rc
# You will probably need to press the return key once the system stops typing.
# To find out the users on the system type, use the list command. The l is a lower case L:
ls /Users
# One of these accounts will be the administrator.
# Pick one of the users which I'll call a-user-name and type it in this command:
passwd a-user-name
# and enter the new user password. You need six characters.
# You will need to enter your password twice. Your typing will not show up on the screen just
# press enter when you complete the typing.
# For cryptic information on these commands try:
man ls
man passwd
The root account isn't enabled by default. I am not sure if changing the password on root will enable it.
2) Get the Mac to set up an additional administrative account. You can then change the password on your old account.
Start with your computer power off. Hold down command-s. Power on your computer.
Type in the following:
The first two commands will depend on your release of Mac OS X. Look at what is typed out in the console to determine the exact format.
# Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write. Press return after each command.
/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /
cd /var/db
pwd
#List all files. The l is a lower case L.
ls -a
#The move command acts as a rename command in this format.
mv -i .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old
reboot
Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!
Limnos adds detailed explainations:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8441597#8441597
The above the idea came from a post by JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/howdo_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_rootpassword.html
You will need to scroll down to see this post. Search for applesetupdone
Or see:
http://superpixel.ch/articles/running-setup-assistant-again/
Once you have a new administrative account, you can change the password of your old administrative account
blue apple > System Preferences > Accounts

How can I recover a lost Admin password?

My 97-year old mother-in-law received a Mac PowerBook G4 as a gift, running Mac OS X (10.4.11). She uses it mainly to send and receive email. I wanted to install a printer driver so she can print. Could not install the driver because password for Administrator was required. We don't know the password. HELP says we can reset the password using the install disk, but we don't have the disk. I have also downloaded software to give her access to a new wireless home network, but I need the password to install that as well.

You need to do this from an admin account which the user may not have.
Change Password
Mac OS X:
You do not have a CD/DVD
Changing password from single user mode:
You can also change the administrator's password from single user mode or create a new administrator account.
You need to get into single use mode for steps one and two that are listed below.
This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492
Basically, you hold down the command-s key then powering on your machine. The command key has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar. On a PC keyboard, it will be the windows key, I think.
1) You can change the password on an account. ( Do you know Unix. You are in a Unix single user console. ) The setup commands you need should be listed on the screen. For Mac OS 10.4.11, the commands are:
# Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write:
/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /
# Start up some utility processes that are needed.
sh /etc/rc
# You will probably need to press the return key once the system stops typing.
# To find out the users on the system type, use the list command. The l is a lower case L:
ls /Users
# One of these accounts will be the administrator.
# Pick one of the users which I'll call a-user-name and type it in this command:
passwd a-user-name
# and enter the new user password. You need six characters.
# You will need to enter your password twice. Your typing will not show up on the screen just
# press enter when you complete the typing.
# For cryptic information on these commands try:
man ls
man passwd
The root account isn't enabled by default. I am not sure if changing the password on root will enable it.

How can I recover or reset my admin password on my older MacBook?

How do I recover or rest my admin password on my older MacBook?

Resetting or changing a password:
For Snow Leopard or earlier: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274
For Lion or later: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6022
For Mavericks users:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/how-change-admin-password-mac-3535 328/
This is also useful:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipad-iphone/news/?newsid=3463233&olo=email
If it's running Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, insert a Mac OS X install DVD, restart with the Option key held down, click on it, and use the Reset Password utility.
If it's running Mac OS X 10.7 or newer, restart with the Command and R keys held down, open the Terminal, and use the resetpassword command:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4101

How can I change the password to start my i-Mac G3

We received an i-Mac from my daughter and my wife chose a password which she has since forgotten. We'd like to use it (after letting it vegetate for over one year) but wonder if it's possible to assign a new password?

Mac OS X:
Changing or resetting an account password via GUI:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106156
Changing password from single user mode:
You can also change the administrator's password from single user mode or create a new administrator account.
You need to get into single use mode for steps one and two that are listed below.
This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.
http://www.securemac.com/macosxsingleuser.php
Basically, you hold down the command-s key when powering on. The command key has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar. On a PC keyboard, it will be the windows key, I think.
1) You can change the password on an account. ( Do you know Unix. You are in a Unix single user console. )
Follow the instructions on screen for accessing the startup disk in read/write mode which are:
/sbin/fsck -y
/sbin/mount -uaw
To find out the users on the system type:
ls /Users
One of these accounts will be the administrator.
Pick one of the users and type:
passwd a-user-name
and enter the new user password. You need six characters.
The root account isn't enabled by default. I am not sure if changing the password on root will enable it.
2) Get the Mac to set up an additional administrative account. You can then change the password on your old account.
This was Posted by: JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM
OK, restart your computer, hold down Command-s and type in the following:
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
# The rm command is the remove command which deletes the file.
# Robert: I'd rename the file via: mv /var/db/.applesetupdone /var/db/.applesetupdone.old
reboot [Enter]
Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!
end of posted by: JoseAranda
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/howdo_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_rootpassword.html
You will need to scroll down to see this post. Search for applesetupdone
Once you have a new administrative account, you can change the password of your old administrative account
blue apple > System Preferences > Accounts
Give administrative privileges to an id
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=607379
How to crack Mac OS X password
I recommend changing your password, but with a lot of computer work you can find out your current password.
shttp://www.wap.org/journal/crackmacpasswords.html
Robert

HT1338 I need help changing my password because i cant remember it.

Hi
I need help resetting my password on my computer.
thanks

Insert the original Instal DVD that came with the computer, restart the mac and choose 'Reset Password' from the Utilities menu.
If you don't have the DVD, follow the instructions here, carefully:
http://osxdaily.com/2011/04/25/change-admin-password-mac/

Problems with admin password

Just purchased a MacBook Pro and changed admin password. I thought everything was fine but after I restarted, it won't accept it. Apple told me the only thing I can do now is to reinstall Mac OS X.
I used the start up disc to re-install, clicked on OS X and bundled software and it asked for admin. password!!!! I'm lost as to what to do as it won't accept my password.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
MO

thank you Robert Newall, your directions worked.

Reseting admin password

i need to bypass or reset all passwords for a mac i am buying used it is running
os 10.4.9 the person i am buying it from cant remember the password and doesnt have the install disks

Mac OS X:
Changing or resetting an account password via GUI:
Resetting a user's password
Resetting the original administrator account password
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106156
Changing password from single user mode:
You can also change the administrator's password from single user mode or create a new administrator account.
You need to get into single use mode for steps one and two that are listed below.
This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.
http://www.securemac.com/macosxsingleuser.php
Basically, you hold down the command-s key when powering on. The command key has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar. On a PC keyboard, it will be the windows key, I think.
1) You can change the password on an account. ( Do you know Unix. You are in a Unix single user console. ) The commands you need should be listed on the screen. For Mac OS 10.4.11, the commands are:
# Type the follow two instructions to accessing the startup disk in read/write:
/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /
# Start up some utility processes that are needed.
sh /etc/rc
# You will probably need to press the enter key once the system stops typing.
# To find out the users on the system type, use the list command:
ls /Users
# One of these accounts will be the administrator.
# Pick one of the user and type:
passwd a-user-name
# and enter the new user password. You need six characters.
# You will need to enter your password twice. Your typing will not show up on the screen just
# press enter when you complete the typing.
# For cryptic information on these commands try:
man ls
man passwd
The root account isn't enabled by default. I am not sure if changing the password on root will enable it.
2) Get the Mac to set up an additional administrative account. You can then change the password on your old account.
This was Posted by: JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM
OK, restart your computer, hold down Command-s and type in the following:
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
# The rm command is the remove command which deletes the file.
# Robert: I'd rename the file via: mv /var/db/.applesetupdone /var/db/.applesetupdone.old
reboot [Enter]
Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!
end of posted by: JoseAranda
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/howdo_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_rootpassword.html
You will need to scroll down to see this post. Search for applesetupdone
Or see:
http://superpixel.ch/articles/running-setup-assistant-again/
Once you have a new administrative account, you can change the password of your old administrative account
blue apple > System Preferences > Accounts
How to crack Mac OS X password
I recommend changing your password, but with a lot of computer work you can find out your current password.
shttp://www.wap.org/journal/crackmacpasswords.html

Change admin passwords as root?

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