Logging into iMac

I'm trying to log into my iMac that I have not used in a while. I have forgotten my password and try to change my password using my apple ID however I beleive my iMac was set up with my old apple ID.
If I use the start up disks to reset my computer will it also reset my data?
Thank you

Forgot Your Account Password
For Lion/Mountain Lion
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
     When the menubar appears select Terminal from the Utilities menu.
     Enter resetpassword at the prompt and press RETURN. Follow
     instructions in the dialog window that will appear.
     Or see Reset a Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Password, OS X Mountain Lion- Reset a login password,
     and OS X Lion- Apple ID can be used to reset your user account password.
For Snow Leopard and earlier with installer DVD
     Mac OS X 10.6- If you forget your administrator password
For Snow Leopard and earlier without installer DVD
    How to reset your Mac OS X password without an installer disc | MacYourself

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Remote log into iMac with dead screen

I have inherited an iMac G5 run Tiger 10.4 that suffers from a graphics card failure. I've given up any attempts to repair the machine as a functional unit, but I am trying to repurpose the machine into a headless server for media and Time machine.
I would like to get some sort of VNC/Screen sharing setup working so I can remotely connect to the machine's UI. However, I don't know what any of the settings on the machine are now (i'm not even sure it will connect to my wireless network). Assuming I can get a network connection to the machine, what is the best way to log in and change the settings? Can I terminal log-in/SSH and make changes so that screen sharing will be enabled? I don't have much experience connecting to a machine without a graphical UI.
I assume the worst case I can pull the HD and connect it to another machine to change settings, then replace it in the iMac.
Any thoughts on the this matter? Thanks in advance

Duane,
Please note it may be possible. I'm working on the issue, see this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2318773&tstart=0

Problem logging into server.

i have a macbook pro running 10.6
imac running 10.6
macpro running server 10.5.8
MBP logs into iMac no problem, iMac ARD and Sharing settings are identical to server, but server will not allow login without asking permission (so i know server see's it) What am i missing on the server side that's not allowing direct login
server - sharing and remote management set to all users. Server logs into imac no prob but imac/mbp will only log into server if someone is at server and clicks allow, which makes it pointless for remote access.
sorry if explanation was iffy, its a tough one.
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It's clearly still connecting as a guest, even though you say you're using a valid user account on the server. One final question; it appears that you have the ARD administrator application installed on more than one computer. If so, do you have separate serial numbers for each installation, or are you using the same serial number on all the systems?

When I turn on my iMac it comes up with the icon which I then log into. The password works and I then get the apple icon and the spinning wheel. After a minute it turns into a prohibited icon. If I log on the guest icon I get to Safari. Help!

When I turn on my iMac it comes up with the login icons which I then choose and log into. The password works and I then get the apple icon and the spinning wheel. After about a minute the Apple icon turns into a prohibited icon. However, if I log in under the guest icon, I can access the wifi and get to Safari. I really don't know what to do next. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Are you running any A-V? If it's an iMac 21.5, I don't think you're running Leopard, 10.5. Probably at least Snow Leopard, 10.6. This is the Leopard forum.
This article says meant for 10.3.9 and eariler, but contains some still useful suggestions.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1411
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http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417

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Before we get too far, please clarify this part:
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A 2009 iMac cannot be an iMac 4,1; they are 9,1 and higher. Did you mean to type "2006?" That would be an iMac 4,1. We need to pin down the model issue before proceeding.
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I have 5 accounts configured on my Intel iMac.
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Operating system: OS X 10.6.4 (Snow Leopard)
Program and version you use to access Gmail: Safari 5.0
Your antivirus software (e.g. Norton 2007): None
Any extensions, toolbars or plug-ins: None

Hi,
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I hope that means you do not have Norton a/v software installed.
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It's a straightforward port-forwarding issue.
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TCP 123
TCP 3689
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I searched but did not see this problem.
I have 3 iMacs and several PC's in my signshop and we are bound by AD to the main PC serer and we connect via DHCP. One particular shared user can no longer log into her user from any of the iMacs. She just gets the shaking password window. But she can log into her shared user from any of the PC's. And we can all log into our shared users from her iMac.
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This may need to get deleted, I am going to repost it in the "loggin" section that I just found.

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re banner shops comment . i dont think that this is possible either you should try alternatives .

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I have the same problem and can't get an answer form Apple Tech Support

Logging into iMac

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