Forgotten Master Password

Question

Hi all,
I think I could be going slowly mad. My G4 doesn't seem to regonise any of my passwords including my Master Password. So at the moment I'm locked out of the computer all together. I can't get past the admin password screen as it's not reading my password and when I'm prompted to enter the master password it's not regonising this.
I've tried booting of the install disks and I still can't get past the sign in screen. I want to to a fresh install and start a fresh as the computer is quite new and doesn't have a lot of data on it. Can any one help?

Answer 1

Hi Nikw1
First, can you confirm whether you're running OS X 10.4 (Tiger) as mentioned in your profile, or 10.3 (Panther) or earlier (which this specific forum is for)? Each version has different features which may be pertinent to your issue.
Next, let's clarify exactly which password you're stuck on, since there are several possibilities.
"Master password" is actually a specific term for FileVault usage - when you set up FileVault, your login password for each account unlocks your specific account files, and a Master Password can be set on the computer to unlock any of the accounts if you forget their passwords. If you've forgotten both your account password and the master password, there's no way to get access to your files.
Now, if you're not using FileVault (or, if your specific account is not locked with FileVault), you can change your regular account password from the install disks - insert the first disk, reboot holding down C until you see the Apple logo and spinning gear, and then use the Installers (under 10.3) or Utilities (under 10.4) menu and choose Reset Password to reset your account password. As I said above, this will not work for a FileVault-protected account.
A third possibility is an Open Firmware password, which again, you have to make a conscious decision to set up, and exists outside of the operating system - it prevents you from starting up from any other system drive, or the installation disks, without entering the password. So if you hold down C to reboot to the installation disk, you would see this password prompt as soon as the computer restarted. There are ways around it, but let us know if that's the case.
To summarise:
- If you don't have FileVault set on your account, or an Open Firmware password set, you can reset your password from the install disks, with the Reset Password menu;
- If you have FileVault set, but you don't have Open Firmware Password set, you can reinstall the system from the installation disks
- If you have Open Firmware Password set, post back.
Or, if any of the above helps, but you need more details, please post back!
Matt