Is there such a thing as a default administrator password?

I've searched these forums & elsewhere but haven't seen anything quite like this. My parents' new iMac was set up by someone else several months ago & I am visiting them for the first time since.
Things generally work OK but they find that occasionally they are prompted for a password to update the keyboard's firmware, for example, but then their administrator's password (which works otherwise for software updates) won't work for these prompts. In poking around their iMac I also discovered that some portions of System Preferences also seem to have a mystery password (unknown to any of us). For example, the security settings & the password settings can't be changed without this mystery password. I'm pretty sure that they didn't do anything or set a firmware password; I'm also pretty sure that the guy who set up their iMac wouldn't have done anything like this. He was pretty careful to leave printed out password & hint instructions for them. This is why I am wondering if there is some "factory default" administrator password or something that we've overlooked.
Does fixing this require using the installation disk to reset the administrator password, or is there something else that I should be doing or looking for?
Thanks so much for any advice you may have!

First Enable the root user account:
To enable the root user account:
Open System Preferences and click Accounts.
If the lock icon is locked, unlock it by clicking it and entering the name and password of an administrator.
Click Login Options, then click Join or Edit.
If you see an Edit button, your computer has at least one connection to a directory server.
Click Open Directory Utility.
Choose Edit > Enable Root User.
Next:
change the root user account password:
Choose Edit > Change Root Password.
When prompted, enter the new root password in the Password and Verify fields.
Click OK.
Next:
Choose Edit > Disable Root User.
Close directory Utility.
If it won't allow you to execute the above instructions, then your account may not have
any administrator privileges.
see this KB article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1274
and this one:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1278

Similar Messages

Is there such a thing as to much memory for my macbook pro?

I wanted to buy this caddy and install a SSD where my dvd/cd drive is. just curious is there such a thing as to much memory? I dont want to mess up my motherboard or fry anything. The youtube video i saw has a guy swapping out his Dvd/cd drive with a ssd and his macbook pro (which is same model as mine) had no problems just want a second opinion. Right now I have a 730gb HD
this is the link for the caddy.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XIUQYA?ie=UTF8&tag=shopfaster0c-20&linkCode =shr&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B004XIUQYA&=electronics&qid=135673 8142&sr=1-9&keywords=optical+drive+adapter

If I were you, since you'll want the SSD to be the boot drive, I would install the SSD in the current HD bay and put the spinning drive in the optical bay. MacBook Pros have a preference for the boot drive to be in the main bay and you're just asking for trouble if you install it in the optical bay.
I didn't look at your Amazon link, but I can recommend OWC's Data Doubler - likely higher in price than your Amazon choice, but I don't know of anyone who has had problems with them.
And, no, there's no such thing as too much storage space!
Good luck,
Clinton

Is there such a thing as a byte array

I have an array of chars in my c code which I need to pass an array to from my Java code. I was just wondering what the equivalent is in Java is there such a thing as a byte[]

You have declared param as an int and therefore the compiler notice that the assignment to that byte array may result in loss of some bits. To prevent the warning you need to do an explicit cast to byte:
m_writeBuffer[0] = (byte)(param>>8);
m_writeBuffer[1] = (byte)(param & 0x00FF);Not that you would have to do the same even if param was declared as byte because java performs all operation on bytes as int.

Is there such a thing as "Apple web security" I have a pop up trying to get me download something

Is there such a thing as "Apple web security" I have a pop up trying to get me download something. It says Apple Web Security detected Trojans...thanks

No. Set your browser settings to not receive pop ups. It's done through your browser settings.

Is there such a thing as a "silver iPod"?

Is there such a thing as a "silver iPod"?
I've heard of the white and black versions, but a friend tells me there's a silver version available.
Is she talking rubbish?

The only all silver iPod to date was the iPod Mini which if memory serves me right came in Silver, Blue, Green and Pink. Full size iPods and Nanos have black or white fronts with a metal (silver if you like) back.

Is there such a thing as a universal color laserjet driver?

Is there such a thing as a universal color laserjet driver?

Greetings,
Yes, there is a UPD for color LaserJets. Please look at the following URL:
http://h20338.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/cache/494717-0-0-225-121.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN
---- If my answer was helpful please click the "Kudos" star.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button ---->
I work for HP
~K

Is there such a thing as a USB WIFI adapter that works with OS X 10.9?

Is there such a thing as a USB WIFI adapter that works with OS X 10.9? I have tried 3 different models, none of which were compatible. The built-in WIFI card in a 2012 Mac Pro is absolutely crap (0/10 on the performance scale). Any recommendations?

Hey everyone, yes I have installed the drivers properly. I've used an ASUS, Bolse, and EDIMAX adapter. Some had a 10.8 driver, some had 10.9. After reaching out to customer support for each and every one of these companies for help, and through multiple returns, I have not gotten anywhere with any of the drivers or products.
It's getting ridiculously hard to stay an Apple customer when the quality of their products are getting worse and worse, which leaves me no choice but to go to third parties to replace the faulty hardware.
And honestly I'm just sick of calling India every day to get my issues resolved.

TS2446 Is there such a thing as Apple Support Team asking for my email and password?

Is there such a thing as Apple Support Team asking for my email and password?

No.
It's a scam. Delete it.

Oracle 10g Personal Edition? Is there such a thing? Tks

Oracle 10g Personal Edition? Is there such a thing? Tks

Yes it is : http://www.oracle.com/database/product_editions.html
Nicolas.

External camera av cable input to Ipad. is there such a thing?

external camera, av cable input to Ipad. is there such a thing? to record vision?

How about this workaround buy iPad replacement camera of eBay about £6 open up your iPad remove the camera and extend the wiring out through the case to a female male connector long multi core wire solder camera to the end hay presto one fully functional external camera you will need a very large magnifier as the wiring is xxx small and of course this will void your warranty so I would suggest you do it to an old iPad 2 not your shiny new 3/4

Is there such a thing as Iphone Virus

Im having a problem getting my iphone to turn on. when I link it to my computer its says the usb failed. Try another one and the same thing? Is there such things are iphone virus

Juleslye wrote:
? Is there such things are iphone virus
No. > https://discussions.apple.com/message/22315137
Juleslye wrote:
Im having a problem getting my iphone to turn on.
See Here for > Frozen or unresponsive iPhone
Try this First... No Data will be Lost...
Press and Hold the Sleep/Wake Button and the Home Button at the Same Time...
Wait for the Apple logo to Appear...
Usually takes about 15 - 20 Seconds... ( But can take Longer...)
Release the Buttons...
Juleslye wrote:
... when I link it to my computer its says the usb failed.
Try another USB Cable.
Make sure you have the Latest Version of iTunes (v11) Installed on your computer
iTunes free download from www.itunes.com/download

Is there such a thing as a 3D flash file?

I have heard this term thrown around but was sceptical if there was such a thing as a 3D flash file. So....is there?
TIA
Dean

You can create 3D things with the newer versions of Flash and there are third party classes such as PApaervison 3D that also provide 3D capabilities for Flash files. So yes, there is such a thing, but I wouldn't say it is called a "3d Flash file". It is just a Flash file that has 3D features designed into it.

Is there such a thing as a malware keylogger for Macs?

Hi all,
My partner, using the iMac running 10.4.8, is a regular eBay seller. Tonight at around 2300 local time her account was (and is still) hijacked. For those not knowing the workings of eBay it requires a password login just like banking, credit cards, etc. The password has been changed by the hijacker, hence she is now locked out of her account. We are now concerned that, for her account to have been hijacked, her password was gleaned via a keylogger.
Is this possible or is it more likely that a password generator was used? (Or that she was less than cautious in responding to a spoof or phish? - Don't tell her I said that, she'll shout at me!)
How would we know if such a thing was lurking, if they exist?
Many thanks in advance,
Adrian

There are several keyloggers that run on Mac OS X --- logKext, for instance; Google "keylogger Mac OS X" if you want to look over the 1,010,000 hits that returns --- but all keyloggers of which I'm aware require root user access to the Mac to install. You can always check if the roor user is enabled on the Mac and disable it is it is; see About the root User and How to Enable It. You can also check System Preferences> Security and make sure the Firewall is turned on with services tunred off (particularly Apple Remote Desktop and ssh).
Without knowing the details you refer to in your latter post, I'd agree that a password generator or plain old guessing is the more likely source of the vulnerability. Without needing to ask her the details, ask your partner if her various accounts use a password or a passphase. A password , anything based recognizably on a dictionary word (even with intentional misspellings) is vulnerable to guessing. A passphase (taking the first letters of the words in a phase, preferablly one including numbers and/or punctation) is much harder to guess. It's also worth warning her against using the same passphase on all her accounts; that's actually a common response to having to remember 24 different passwords, but it has an obvious problem if one account is broken.

Is there such a thing as a black macbook from 2009?

I've been told there is no such thing, it has 2GHz processor and 2GB of 667MHz ram and that it is an older model than a 2009. Any help appreciated, thanks.

Go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up check the Model Identifier.
1,1 is an Early 2006
2,1 is a Late 2006 or Mid 2007
3,1 is a Late 2007
4,1 is an Early 2008 which was the last Black MacBook
Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook#Model_specifications
And http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook/index-macbook.html
Also http://www.apple-history.com/?

Is there such a thing as an extra battery for Ipod video

I am planning a long plane trip next year and I keep toying with buying a video ipod but the 3 hour (for watching videos) or so battery life is making my decision towards the no side. I am wondering if there is an external battery that is worth the money that will give me a long life so I can keep myself entertained for many hours.

Sure there are many plug in external power packs you can buy. Some are rechargeable units themselves while others simply use common (AA, AAA, 9V) batteries and give a univeral 5V USB output. Here is one such example...
http://apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=314
Patrick

Is there such a thing as a default administrator password?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for