Lost Admin Rights - Can't Boot from Install DVD

On the first day I clean installed Leopard. Apart from one or two minor issues (since resolved with help from you guys) everything was working fine -- until now?.
Today, I tried to update NeoOffice as I've already done twice since installing Leopard, but can't get beyond Administrator Name/Password. I only have my account on the machine, so popped into system preferences to see what's going on:
My account is now "Standard" not "Administrator"? Other posts suggest Reboot from DVD/ Utilities/Change Password etc.
2. But I can't change any settings like "Start-up Disk" or "Account Privileges" in System preferences without Administrator Name/Password.
3. Can't find a way to reboot from DVD (Have tried "C", "Option"). Just keeps coming back to Login Screen.
Help!!!!!!!!!!!

I have the same problem. After installing Leopard all my accounts were changed to "Standard". So I try to boot to the CD and hold down any boot commands (c or command-s or option) and none of these work. Talked to Apple for an hour on the and they want me to take it to an Apple because there is firmware that locked.

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    New to the forum and would like to say hello to everyone first.
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    Did you install Nero 9  by any chance?
    Even if you didn't, and old version of InCD can cause this too.
    The problem is upper/lower filters, they are screwed and thus your CD's are missing in action.
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  • Problem: installed new hard drive but can´t boot from leopard dvd

    So I just installed a new hard drive in my ibook G4. At first I started up the computer using the leopard DVD I had purchased. Got to Disk Utility and after a few seconds in the spin wheel came up and froze. So, I shut the computer down and when I tried to boot it again from the DVD I wouldn´t even reach the apple screen. Tried it a few times unsuccessfully.
    As an alternative I just tried booting the comptuer using the original CD and it did read it.
    I am currently at the installer page but I am concern about installing the old CD as I really would like to run the leopard dvd 10.5.
    Is it that my ibook g4 can´t be booted from leopard dvd?
    Please advise. thanks!!

    OK, so I decided to leave my computer resting all night and give it a new try this morning.
    This morning I was able to boot from the Leopard DVD, so I don´t really think it is a problem with my superdrive. Started to format at 32 minutes to complete. Then towards the 10th minute the spinning wheel appeared, I heard the fan running, then it stopped and then I heard the superdrive making some reading noises. Then all noises stopped and now the spinning wheel continues..not sure what to do now.
    In the meantime, I wanted to share also another problem that I´ve been having for quite some time which I don´t know if it is related to my current problem. It is with the computer power:
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    Should I try resetting the PMU? I´ve not done it because I don´t know what consequences it may have.
    NOTE: When I bought the computer I never calibrated my battery because I was (and still are) clueless when comes to computer technicalities. I tried using a different power adapter and get the sample problem.
    Below is the information I get from coconut battery:
    My battery is in its 256 load-cycle. current battery capacity 58512mAh (original battery capacity: 4400 mAh).
    The last system profiler I was able to pull shows:
    Battery Information:
    Charge Information:
    Charge remaining (mAh): 58320
    Charging: No
    Full charge capacity (mAh): 58512
    Health Information:
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    Battery Installed: Yes
    Amperage (mA): 0
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    System Power Settings:
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    System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 15
    Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
    Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 15
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    Wake On Modem Ring: Yes
    Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
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    Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
    Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 5
    Dynamic Power Step: No
    Reduce Processor Speed: Yes
    Automatic Restart On Power Loss: No
    Wake On AC Change: No
    Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
    Wake On Modem Ring: No
    Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
    Reduce Brightness: Yes
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    Clamshell Closed: No
    UPS Installed: No
    AC Charger Information:
    AC Charger (Watts): 26
    Connected: Yes
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  • Can't Boot From Install Disc 1 ?

    Holding down "C" at Start Up isn't working.
    Most of the time I can't get Preferences > Start-Up to even "see" my Disc 1.
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    Sometimes when I re-push in the disc, I get the message that a Blank Disc has been detected, "what do you want to do with it."
    But, it shows up in Disc Utility, and when I run Verify Disc, it all looks good?!
    The Disc has Mac OS version 10.4.8 on it. I'm running 10.5.7. I'm all up to date with my software.
    Yesterday I ran the latest version of Disc Warrior. When I run TechTools 4.0 it seems to get stuck running Files. When I run Repair Permissions from Disc Utilities, it shows a fairly massive amount of issues. Running it over and over again doesn't seem to make any difference.
    I WANT to run my Install Disc so I can run Repair Disc from Disc Utility ... because I'm having a number of issues ... and I seem to get the spinning rainbow a lot.
    SUGGESTIONS ?! ... thanks ...

    Disk Utility that can repair a 10.5.7 permissions is only found on the Leopard installer disc. Tiger can't repair Leopard when it comes to permissions, and may also have difficulty with the directory.
    Secondly, if your MacBook Pro was purchased after October 26, 2007, it can't boot from any Tiger disc.
    If your MacBook Pro was purchased prior, you can use the disk, but you'll want to follow these directions for hardware diagnostics:
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    Only if your MacBook Pro has Tiger installed, should you use Tiger for the directory or permissions*:
    http://www.macmaps.com/directoryfaq.html
    Macs can only boot from the operating system that shipped with them, and newer retail operating systems. This means:
    1. pre-October 1st, 2007 MacBook Pros can boot off:
    - - the discs that shipped with them
    - - retail 10.5 discs which look like * that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM.
    2. October 1st through October 25, 2007 can do #1, and also use Upgrade and DropIn discs. Those disks were offered as a limited time mail order Up to date program, some were dropped in the box that came with them.
    3. October 26th through November 14, 2007 can boot off the discs that came with them, and retail 10.5.1, 10.5.4, and 10.5.6 discs that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM, and have a label like the image above.
    4. November 15, 2007 through June 29, 2008 can boot off the discs that came with them, and the retail 10.5.4, and 10.5.6 discs that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM, and have a label like the image above.
    5. June 30, 2008 through December 14, 2008 can boot off the discs that came with them, and the retail 10.5.6 discs that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM, and have a label like the image above.
    6. December 15, 2008 and later MacBook Pros can only boot off the discs that came with them.
    Presumably when Snow Leopard comes out in September, all of the above will be able to use Snow Leopard because of the specs on http://www.apple.com/macosx/specs.html
    - * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
    Message was edited by: a brody

  • I can't boot from Install CD

    I have a MacBook Pro, and I wanted to install Windows, but Boot Camp said my drive needs repaired. And to do that, I need to boot from the install CD, but when I restart, while holding the C key, it just loads into my desktop. Anyone know how to fix this?

    Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions ...
    Go here for detailed information regarding MBPro's: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88275 Read it thoroughly... if you still can't boot from the restore disk, then you need to take the Mac in for service.
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  • New hard drive.  Will not boot from install dvd.

    Earlier this week, I dropped my computer.
    It was probably a 3 foot fall.
    Computer froze, so I restarted and got the flashing folder with question mark.
    Started in internet recovery, and disk utility confirmed that I had killed my hard drive.
    Got a new hard drive and installed. Started in internet recovery, formatted hard drive. Disk utility says it's good to go.
    Was given the option to install Mavericks, but keep getting an error message.
    Attempted to restart from install dvd that came with the MBP. Tried every startup shortcut there is.
    Optical drive recognizes the disk, but I always get stuck on the gray screen with the wheel.
    Reset PRAM. Reset SMC. Same problems. I do not have access to another mac or a PC with admin rights.
    I'd rather not brave the Apple Store this weekend in the snow in a town that never gets snow (people drive poorly on a good day!).
    Any tips?
    Got the MBP in 2010, new. Was running mountain lion when I dropped it.
    Thanks!

    Yiou can't use Internet recovery on a 2010 Mac notebook to install any version of OS X on it. That is why you are getting that error. You have to use the original System reinstall discs that came with it to install OS X on a new drive or use the OS X reinstall disk to restore from a time machine backup.
    Since your system doesn't seem to want to completely boot from that disc you should try an external DVD drive that connects by USB port as the built in superdrives are known to fail or partially fail at any time. Don't buy an Apple external Superdrive as they only work on Mac computer that did not originally come with a built in DVD drive. Any Brand external DVD drive will work on your Mac except Apples own external DVD drive.

  • Hi guys I'm really in need of some help. I have an IMac I3 for a while now I've been having a problem of my machine refusing it shut down , it goes to a blue screen with a spinning wheel but doesn't shut down.  And now won't boot from install DvD

    Please some one help me ...
    A) my mac won't shut down with external HD connected (if it's been used)
    B) there are disk permissions that can't be fixed SUID stuff ..
    C) I have now verified the Mac HD and it tells me it's corrupt in bold red writing and to start up from install DVD
    D) it won't boot from DVD so I cannot run the repair , initially the machine was spitting it out on start up , now it appears to be attempting to boot off DVD , well it sounds like it is .... BUT it's hanging with the Mac Logo and a wheel ... For um .... 30min now...
    E) weirdly when OSX is booted off the hard drive , it won't recognise the Install DvD or the applications one... It just spits them out....
    I had an old PPC 17" and it was a beaut .... Never had a single problem with it ...
    I bought this one December 2010 and it's been nothing but issues for a computer in excess of £1000 I'm extremely disappointed ... And weirdly the shutting down issue started when it was a week out of warrantee ... I feel conned and am almost at the point of throwing it at a wall and buying a PC

    Ok so I've done what you said and this is what it's come back ....
    I don't know that these are the errors , but they're the things which don't look right ...
    Throughout the shut down there is a recurring line ;
    It says ;
    Com.apple.launchd 1 0x100600e70.anonymous.unmount 301 PID still valid
    Then there are 2 more which I think are related ;
    Com.apple.securityd 29 PID job has I overstayed its welcome , forcing removal.
    Then the same with fseventd 48 and diskarbitrationd 13
    Oh and on Launchd1 : System : stray anonymous job at shut down : PID 301 PPID13 PGID 13 unmount...
    Then the last process says "about to call: reboot (RB_AUTOBOOT).
    Continuing...
    And stops ...
    Hope this means something to you ... Thanks again for your help so far :-)

  • Unable to boot from Install DVD to repair disk

    I am trying to fix the following error Disk Utility gave me when verifying the volume:
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    I tried to boot from the Install DVD that came with my MBP and it simply won't boot from it. It DOES boot from a TechTools Pro Disk but I don't think tools to fix the problem exist on that. The install DVD shows up fine when I'm in OS X. I can burn DVDs, etc and everything just fine. Any idea why I can't boot from my Install DVDs?

    As the computer will boot from the TechTools disk and you can burn disks, this suggests that the optical drive is OK, so what about the disk itself?
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    If it shows up when in OS X, have you tried changing the startup disk in System Preferences? Or even simply clicking on the Install icon (you do not have to install once the disk is running)?
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    In trying to fix this problem with Apple tech support, I've discovered I can't boot from the cd/dvd. When I hold down the letter c while restarting, the disk ejects. I've tried three different disks: the install dvd, a Norton Systemworks bootable cd, and the bootable cd from AppleCare. All are ejected.
    Have I got some hardware problem(s)?

    Since we couldn't fix this over the phone, it's now at the Apple Store being fixed. They've replaced the power supply and, after I called again and made sure they tested it by having it sleep for a couple of hours (they couldn't wake it up after that), they're replacing the logic board.
    I've been disappointed by the amount of hardware that's had to be replaced on this computer. I also had to replace the mid-plane assembly about six months after buying it in Sept. 2004.

  • Qosmio E10-102 - Can't boot from CD/DVD

    Hi,
    I have a Qosmio E10-102 Notebook here. The Hard Disk is defect and I have to install the operating system on a new hard disk but I cannot boot from CD/DVD. After the Qosmio Boot Screen it displays "Insert system disk in drive. Press any key when ready...".
    When I press F1, I get the ACPI BIOS version 1.5 boot menu, but I only can change date, time and the password. The Boot Priority is HDD -> FDD -> CD and I can't change it. The manual says to hold F12 while Booting, but this has no effect. Even pressing the "c" key doesn't boot the Disk.
    I tried do put the hard disk in an other Notebook and install there, but the Windows installation disk detects, that this is no Toshiba Laptop.
    Any idea how to solve the problem?

    If you cannot change it in BIOS settings it must be locked somehow and F12 will not work either. There is no sense to have non working option in BIOS but with F12. When this is locked in BIOS you can change just some basic stuff in BIOS but you will not have access to all other advanced options.
    If this option should be disabled than on all levels.
    Such locking will be always made in companies to avoid that people who work on notebooks can change anything and also have influence on preinstalled OS.
    The whole story is strange to me. Try to contact Toshiba service and ask for help. They can unlock BIOS.

  • Cannot boot from install DVDs

    Hello.
    I have been trying to reinstall 10.4 on my powerbook g4 1.67 15" and I am finding that my laptop is having a hard time booting from a DVD. I have tried starting up the computer holding down Option as well as starting up holding down C. I have tried using the retail black Install disc for 10.4. I tried what I believe is the original gray install disc (Mac OS 10.2.7 / AHT v. 2.0.4 / DVD v. 1.1 / 691-4676-A). I also mounted a copy of the retail 10.4 on my external drive. All attempts to boot from the install disc are unsuccessful.
    When booting from retail 10.4 disc, I encountered a screen at startup requesting I install batteries in my apple mouse (keep in mind this is powerbook with nothing plugged into usb nor firewire). Plugging in a mouse just got me to a blue screen.
    When booting from the gray dvd that came with my computer I am getting what looks like kernel panics (a distorted fractal band across the gray apple screen) when starting up holding down c. When I start up holding down Option, and select Apple Hardware Test I get a folder with a ? and mac face. The disc runs then stops and runs and stops. I have let it run for about 10 minuets and nothing comes of it.
    When booting from the external drive I would get the initial install screens, where you select language and then the process freezes - the mouse freezes and the computer does nothing.
    I also just purchased a new/larger HD, installed it and gave that a try - same results.
    My computer & DVD are running fine all this aside.
    Has anyone encountered this. Any suggestions?
    I plan to give an external DVD drive a try, once I can borrow one.
    Thanks.

    Hi, vcou. The gray OS X 10.2.7 installer disc did not come with your 1.67GHz Powerbook and is of no use at all with it. Put that disc aside; it was shipped with an earlier PB model. Your PB requires a minimum of OS X 10.3.7 or 10.4 to boot, depending on whether it was produced early in its production cycle or later in the run. If you can find the disc that was originally shipped with your Powerbook, try to start the machine with it and see what happens.
    The black retail OS X 10.4 DVD should work, provided your PB's optical drive is functioning properly, the disc isn't dirty or damaged, and the build of 10.4 on the DVD is at least the same as the one your Powerbook was shipped with (Build 8A428). Have you started the PB using that DVD in the past? If so, then of course you know it should work. If not, then you don't know for certain that it should work.
    The best case here is that your retail DVD has worked in the past, is not scratched, and just needs a good cleaning. Or the drive needs a cleaning (get a cleaning disc from a local computer store, Best Buy, Radio Shack or record/DVD store).

  • Wiped macbook pro will not boot from install DVD

    I recently purchased an older MacBook Pro that came with the OS system wiped but it did have the original Install DVDs.  The computer will not boot from the DVD.  I have booted holding down the C key and nothing happens.  I have booted holding down the Option key and it shows the Install DVD and I select this and nothing happens.
    How do I get it to open up the Utilities from the DVD to install the operating system?

    It could be a problem with the optical drive, but also may be due to the DVD's being for a different model.
    Exactly which MBP do you have, and what serial numbers are on the discs ?.

  • Won't boot from install DVDs

    I have an iMac here that refuses to boot from the install DVDs, no matter what.
    I tried booting using the alt key, the C key, using the DVD in the Finder and restarting and via the startup disk in the System prefs. I always get one of the two following results: - either the DVD seems to startup, but then puts itself into a loop where it doesn't get to the installer and restarts the computer, - or it simply bypasses the DVD altogether and boots from the the internal hard disk...
    I tried using various (full and legit) OS10.5 installation DVDs with the same results as above...
    I've performed these operations many times in the past without problem, and It's actually the first I see a Mac that refuses to boot from an install DVD...
    I thought maybe if firmware password protection enabled somehow... Would that do that?

    You need an installation DVD to turn firmware protection off, ironically.
    I doubt it is the issue here, though. If it was enabled, it would show a grey lock when you try to hold down option while booting up.
    Is the iMac you are trying to boot from the DVD Leopard compatible as far as processor and RAM? My brother's iMac w/ 256 MB RAM cannot boot Leopard at all.
    Message was edited by: Mac OS 9000

  • Can't boot from Install Disk for Leopard

    I purchased the new xeon core dual which only boots in Leopard. I need to put Leopard on an external drive, so I purchased Leopard and tried to install it on an external drive. My computer starts to read the disk but before it even gets to the blue screen, it stops, scrolls down in a dark gray screen and says I need to restart by holding the power button down. The screen kind of looks like a kernal panic with oriental writing under the english.
    I have tried by restarting and holding down the "c" key with no luck. I tried again with holding down the "option" key and when the hard drive and disk show up as choices. I chose the disk and still no luck. I disconnected all my external drives and tried again with no luck. I called tech support and they said it may be my optical drive. They set up an appointment with the genius bar at my local apple store. The genius listened to my drive and said there was nothing wrong with the drive and that it probably was a bad disk so they gave me a new one. Went home and tried with the new disk and same problem. Can anyone help?!! Thanks.

    I purchased the new xeon core dual which only boots in Leopard.
    I need to put Leopard on an external drive, so I purchased Leopard and tried to install it on an external drive.
    There's your problem. Macs which ship with Leopard can't boot Leopard retail, unless it is newer than the Mac in question. Check the version of Leopard on the Leopard retail DVD you purchased in the second quote. If it is older than what was installed on your Mac Pro based on the Mac Pro install and restore DVD, then it won't work on your Mac Pro. If you want Leopard of the Mac Pro to be backed up to be an emergency boot volume for the Mac Pro on the external drive, use a cloning software*:
    http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
    Or follow these directions to backup your Mac Pro DVD*:
    http://www.macmaps.com/bootcd.html
    If you need an emergency Leopard volume for another Mac, install it directly from that other Mac. If that other Mac lacks a DVD drive, get a Firewire DVD drive to do it.
    - * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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