Master password problems...

Question

my hard drive crashed about a year ago and when it did i had to purchase another one (obviously) and replace it...well i set a master password, and my computer has never once asked me to put it in...so, i've done an idiotic thing....and i've forgotten it.
now i've moved in with some people i don't know so well and i'd like to set my computer to ask for a password at start up and after coming back from screensaver or from being asleep....
when i went to set this up, it would not accept what i thought was my old password (even with my hint i can't get it).
so i'm wondering if there is ANY WAY i can reset it?
i really hope i don't need the disks....cause i'm in italy until june, and they are at home in the states.
thanks

Answer 1

Changing password from single user mode:
You can also change the administrator's password from single user mode or create a new administrator account.
You need to get into single use mode for steps one and two that are listed below.
This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.
http://www.securemac.com/macosxsingleuser.php
Basically, you hold down the command-s key then powering on your machine. The command key has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar. On a PC keyboard, it will be the windows key, I think.
1) You can change the password on an account. ( Do you know Unix. You are in a Unix single user console. ) The setup commands you need should be listed on the screen. For Mac OS 10.4.11, the commands are:
# Type the follow two instructions to accessing the startup disk in read/write:
/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /
# Start up some utility processes that are needed.
sh /etc/rc
# You will probably need to press the enter key once the system stops typing.
# To find out the users on the system type, use the list command:
ls /Users
# One of these accounts will be the administrator.
# Pick one of the users which I'll call a-user-name and type it in this command:
passwd a-user-name
# and enter the new user password. You need six characters.
# You will need to enter your password twice. Your typing will not show up on the screen just
# press enter when you complete the typing.
# For cryptic information on these commands try:
man ls
man passwd
The root account isn't enabled by default. I am not sure if changing the password on root will enable it.
2) Get the Mac to set up an additional administrative account. You can then change the password on your old account.
This was Posted by: JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM
OK, restart your computer, hold down Command-s and type in the following:
Robert's edit: The first two commands will depend on your release of Mac OS X. Looked at what is typed out in the console to determine the exact format.
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
# Robert's edit: The rm command is the remove command which deletes the file.
# Robert's edit: I'd rename the file via: mv /var/db/.applesetupdone /var/db/.applesetupdone.old
reboot [Enter]
Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!
end of posted by: JoseAranda
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/howdo_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_rootpassword.html
You will need to scroll down to see this post. Search for applesetupdone
Or see:
http://superpixel.ch/articles/running-setup-assistant-again/
Once you have a new administrative account, you can change the password of your old administrative account
blue apple > System Preferences > Accounts
You can see that it is easy to change your administrator password. You can set a firmware password that you enter before your machine will boot.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352
Message was edited by: rccharles