Mac mini lost password

is there any way to install a new password on a mac mini in order to update software?
i have forgotten the password !
if not, how do i format the hard drive and start fresh?
i have tried putting in the install disc number one and holding the "C" key but it boots on the hard drive not on the install disk.
thanks.

+i have tried putting in the install disc number one and holding the "C" key but it boots on the hard drive not on the install disk.+
This is usually the result of 1) not timing the press of the C key correctly; or 2) using an Apple Aluminum usb keyboard; or 3) using a wireless keyboard.
I'd suggest using or borrowing any plain usb keyboard for this task. On a PC keyboard ATL maps to Option, and WinKey maps to CMD.
It is also possible that the Mini has had a firmware password assigned to it to protect it from install changes. In that case the normal password change methods won't work.
Keep in mind, too, that the install disc has to be either a full retail disc, or the install disc that was intended for and shipped with your model of Mini.

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i bought a mac mini and i lost the administrator password. i was wondering how to fix this or restore it completely.

Just note that many tinks are locked to the previous owner's Apple ID. You will not be able to update apps without singing into the account that purchased them.
It is recommended that you boot into recovery
OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support
and then formate the disk and reinstlll the OS,

Mac Mini: reset password.... also need help with my emails

Good day,
i recently reset my password for my mac mini but as i never log off i have forgotten the password I am still logged in but i can't change the password without knowing the last one.... Is there a way around this?
Also....
I connected my email account to the mail system on the mac mini and it copied all of my emails over onto the hard drive... this i didn't want as i need to be able to use the emails while i am on the road... Is there a way that i can move them back? If not is there a way that i can pull them onto my icloud account or any other account from apple that i can have access to them....
This will also cause issues if i have to reset the mini i am worried i will loose all my emails.
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Reset the Admin PW. The data on the computer wilm not be lost. You will lose your passwords in your keychain
For 10.6 and earlier
OS X: Changing or resetting an account password
For later
OS X Lion>: How to Easily Reset the Administrator Password

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Um, I can't specifically answer that because I don't have a FV master password set and I am reluctant to set one just to see if I can unset it. I would think that if you do have one set it would only be requested if you were doing something related to FV. If you could provide cases where you are being asked for a password it might help us track down the reason. I am mostly asked for a password when I am adding software to the computer or doing some other administrative task. In that case it is asking for my admin password. The FV one I think is only as a backdoor to a FV account in case somebody has forgotten their password.

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System Preferences > Network > Show > Network Port Configurations
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- Verify that AirPort is at the top of the list. If it isn't, you can drag it to the top.
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AirPort tab
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TCP/IP tab
- Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
- Configure IPv6: Automatically
Proxies tab
- Configure Proxies: Manually
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- Bypass proxy settings for these Hosts & Domains: <leave blank>
- Use Passive FTP Mode (PASV) (checked)

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How do I reset my mac mini password

I have just returned from 4 weeks away and cannot log into my Mac Mini. The Op Sys OS X 10.8.4 Mid 2010
Might be complicated by that fact I am using a logitech windows keyboard, but then always have. I can access the Guest account and confirm that the keyboard keys do seem to operate correctly.
I have followed a number of routines I have found on this discussion group, ie rebooting using Command S and Command R but they dont work......just bring me to the opening login screen.
I have a time machine backup......but before I do a factory reset is there anything else I can do to reset the password.
Strangely I always save passwords in a dbase but the saved password is definitely not working and no 'reset passwprd' option is displayed after my 3 failed attempts.
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Have you looked:
Forgot Mac Password? How to Reset Your Mac Password (with or without CD)
Reset mac mini admin password: Apple Support Communities
OS X: Changing or resetting an account password
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Reset password using Lion Recovery
If you bought a brand new Mac with Lion pre-installed, it includes a recovery partition with various system recovery tools. One of them allows you to reset your Mac’s password:
Restart your Mac while holding down the ⌘ and R keys at the same time until you see the Lion Recovery screen.
From the menu bar at the top, select Utilities > Terminal.
In the Terminal window type resetpassword and press Enter.
Use the Reset Password utility to select your startup volume, choose your user account, enter your new password, complete the password hint field, and click Save.
Quit Terminal and restart your Mac.
You can also reset your password by using your Apple ID. It ought to be the same one you just used to log in here.
Reset your login password using your Apple ID
Make sure that FileVault isn’t enabled on your computer.
Make sure that an Apple ID is associated with your user account, and that an administrator has given you permission to reset your own password using an Apple ID.For more information, see: Associate Apple IDs with your user account
Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet.
In the login window, click the question mark in the password field, and then click the arrow in the dialog that appears.
Enter an Apple ID and password, and then click Reset Password.

Reset mac mini system not password

reset mac mini not password thanks

They were likely talking about a PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379
In fact, do 3 in a row, takes a bit of time.
Won't hurt, but likely more is needed.
See if the Disk is issuing any S.M.A.R.T errors in Disk Utility...
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH7029
Open Activity Monitor in Applications>Utilities, select All Processes & sort on CPU%, any indications there?
How much free RAM & free Disk space do you have also, click on the Memory & Disk Usage Tabs.
Open Console in Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages when this happens.

How do I restore a Mac Mini 1.83?

Hey there,
I was just given two Mac Mini 2006 1.83ghz the other day (old, out of use office computers) and one powers on and works perfectly, the other tells me its has a boot error and to insert boot disc.
My issue with the first one is that because it used to be an office computer, it loads to the home screen from my office. It requires a username and password. Sadly, the person who had the admin information is no longer with the company. Is there a way for my to restore this mini and remove the previous admin? I believe this one has also been updated to lion.
The second one just loads to a boot error and says to load the boot disc. (which weren't given to me with the macs)
I will happily buy the boot discs if I know that installing it will remove either the admin lock or fix the boot issue. Or even replacing the hard drive itself.
Also, with the second one, I'm not sure if the USB ports work on it as I plugged my apple keyboard in and I couldn't seem to type anything or turn the caps lock light on which did work perfectly on the first.
These are at my free will to upgrade and play with as I please, so any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks in advance!

The 2006 Minis can only go as high as Snow Leopard, 10.6.8
To reset the admin PW:
OS X: Changing or resetting an account password
Forgot Mac Password? How to Reset Your Mac Password (with or without CD)
Change the Admin Password with Mac OS X Single User Mode
Reset mac mini admin password: Apple Support Communities
You can call Apple and order the original installation disks for a small cost.
You can also order the Snow leopard install disk here
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
Here are videos for replacing the HD and other things
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini_06-08/
Do you have another Mac with Snow Leopard?
The second MIni may have other problems.

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