Password trouble (G5)...can anyone help?

Question

Hi there, first time on the forum in a long while.
I recently bought a G5, but didn't realise until trying to copy a hardrive worth of music plugins that it has a password. The previous owner doesn't remember what it is, and worse he doesn't have the original install discs that came with it.
Is there a way to reset without having to erase the entire drive?

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 when powering on. 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 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 and type:
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:
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
# The rm command is the remove command which deletes the file.
# Robert: 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