Reinstalling OS ...locked out

first time user....my disgruntled X has put a password on my computer which never had one before..thus i am 128 bit locked out...after spending two days looking at apples site i have come to the conclusion than all is lost and i must reformat my drive and reinstall my OS ....good news all my editing and important files are on external drives..please help me answer this dilema..(how can i reformate and then reinstall my OS on a system that i no longer have acess to...) thank you very much

Where are you being asked for the password? At the login screen or when the computer is turned on, before the apple logo?
If it is before the Apple logo, it is an Open Firmware password. To remove this password:
1) Add or remove DIMMs to change the total amount of RAM in the computer.
2) Then, the PRAM must be reset 3 times. (Command + Option + P + R).
If it's a login password, you can just start up the computer from the 10.4 installer CD and install on top of it. Before you do this however, you can try to reset the password in the installer.
Alternatively, if your ex has been vindictive and turned on file vault and encrypted all your files, there is no way to get the data back without the password, but the programs should all still be there unencrypted.
If the data on there is important, you might want to consider a lawyer to send a letter threatening referral to law enforcement for investigation for computer misuse if he doesn't hand over the password.

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Sorry I am new to this. Am I in the right area? I am using my iPhone to make contact. I am worried.

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Go to an Apple store or authorized Apple service provider.

I am trying to reinstall an admin password and got completely locked out. I can't get past the first log in

I am trying to reset my admin password. I think my computer was tampered with. I signed out completely and now, I am locked out. I can't get past a black screen. I'm unsure of my operating system but I've had laptop about 2 years.

If you boot from your install DVD and, after choosing language, go up to the Apple bar and select utilities, you can restore you admin and firmware psswds. You will these options there. Do not choose a firmware psswd if you do not need this, you may complicate your life, especially if you forget it.
I do not understand how you changed the psswd and why you cannot log in, though. Did you forget the new psswd or why? What do you mean by ‘was tampered with’?

Can you 'lock out' a workstation via ZENworks?

Hi,
I was wondering if there was a way to 'lock out' a workstation via
ZENworks so users can no longer log into the workstation temporarily.
This is the scenario - when someone within our company orders a new
workstation, they will many times tell us that the workstation is being
replaced when in reality the old workstation it is replacing is never
taken off the network.
The problem? - we do not charge any new license fees for replacement
workstations PROVIDING the old workstation is disposed of (that way we
are able to transfer the licenses from the old to the new). If the old
workstation is still used, we are in violation of license fees.
Solution? - 'lock out' the old workstation so no one can use it any
longer unless they call our Helpdesk and it is 'unlocked' at which time
we remind them of the license charges.
I am not sure how this can be performed. We currently do something
similar with NEW XP PCs that have no local user accounts on them yet
(basically we enable login restrictions under the DLU policy - if the
workstation can't create a local user account for the user, they can't
log into the network or the PC). That solution would not work in this
case though since the local accounts would already be created on the PC.
We don't want to remove any software from the machine that will need to
be reinstalled in case the site does want to keep the machine on the
network after a new one is purchased. The solution should be designed to
easily enable the machine if the site does decide they want to keep the
machine on the network. Later on we would FDISK the PC for disposal.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated as ALWAYS!
Steve

Perhaps a Workstation Associated app that just pushed an invalid value for the
GINA.DLL
Either Remote Regedit or another Force-Run app could restore this to a correct
value.
Needs testing to make sure you can fix what you break, but this would lead
everything intact.
Marcus Breiden wrote:
> On Mon, 23 May 2005 19:05:23 GMT, [email protected] wrote:
>
> > I am not sure how this can be performed. We currently do something
> > similar with NEW XP PCs that have no local user accounts on them yet
> > (basically we enable login restrictions under the DLU policy - if the
> > workstation can't create a local user account for the user, they can't
> > log into the network or the PC). That solution would not work in this
> > case though since the local accounts would already be created on the PC.
>
> hmmm.... I would create an application and associate it to the wks, make it
> force run..
>
> in that app remove / or change the Tree for the workstation manager... this
> will disable all policy management (also DLU)...
>
> in case your accounts are locally on that box you would have to do some
> more stuff to get around your problem...
> --
>
> Marcus Breiden
>
> Please change -- to - to mail me.
> The content of this mail is my private and personal opinion.
> http://www.edu-magic.net
Craig Wilson
CNE3, 4, 5 - MCSE - CCNA
NSC Sysop (http://support.novell.com/forums/)
Tech Writer - http://www.ithowto.com
(I Peter 4:10)

Locked out! PLEASE HELP!

Any help would be appreciated greatly! To start, I woke my computer screensaver and it prompted me
with the login screen, as usual. However, when I typed in my password, the login screen shook as if it
were wrong. Thinking I may have typed it wrong, I typedit in again...and again...and again....and again.
Much to my dismay, it was not accepting my password. I hadn't changed it or fiddled with any of the settings
prior to this happening. So, thinking it might be confused, I held down the power button and shut it off. Rebooting it, I was prompted again with the login. This time, it no longer showed my username. Just two blank fields. I typed in my user name, which I know as well, and my password. Still that littled prompt screen shakes in refusal. Now I am not a mac expert and I only know enough to just barely get by if problems come up. Knowing I am ignorant as to how to go about fixing this, I used my sister's computer to look around for answers. I found out I could use the mac OS X installation disk to try and reset the password.
This ended in defeat as well.
I clicked on my hard drive, selected my user in the dropdown and typed in the password (the same one I've always used. (Maybe that's the problem?) Everything seemed fine and I rebooted to see if the installation disk had fixed the problem. I ran into the two blank fields again. Nothing I typed in, all passwords I would ever use and different ways of typing my name, and they still refused the info I typed in.
Booting up on the installation disk again, thinking I could try and change the password again, I was met with another horror: the dropdown said there were no users on my disk to choose from. This is where DiskWarrior comes in. I owe this software everything! I used it and found that my data was fine. I even moved my important files off onto an external hard drive just to be safe. While in there, I could even see that my user was completely intact.
Still, even after trying to rebuild my directory with disk warrior, repairing my disk and permissions with the installation disk, all of which showed problems with my disk and fixed them, I am completely locked out of my computer. I called apple support and tgey said they could try and diagnos it over the phone or I could send it in to them. Mind you, no-one I spoke to knew what the problem was, let alone having heard of it. I'm a little low on cash and I'm not sure I want to pay to have my computer looked at only to find that they don't know what to do. (My computer us almost four years old. It's a tough little ****, having gone through a lot in my care, and it's out of warrentee, meaning the cost of diagnosis would not be covered by apple.)
I need to know several things:
1. Has anyone had this problem and solved it? If so, how dud you fix it?
2. Apple seems to think it's some form of hard drive failure and suggested an archival restore or something, where the computer would reinstall its os without affecting my personal data. Chillingly, they said if that doesn't work, they recomend EARSING THE HARD DRIVE COMPLETELT. That's the last step I ever wish to take, but do you think the archival restore or whatever it's called will solve it?
3. I did some research on the net, driven to find some way of fixing it at home, and my problem might have something to do with my Keychain. Now not being able to even log in to my computer, is there somehow a wat to access the keychain and alter/fix/erase the login info there?
4. On the matter of the keychain, several people on the internet have suggested a solution on how to change or bypass the keychain by starting up the computer in single user mode and using programming code. I stress again: I am NOT very good with computers. I'm scared to death that I will do something wrong and mess up my entire computer. Even so, would you recommend I do this? Does my ptoblem sound like It has anything to do with the keychain?
Thank you in advance. I really hope someone can help or at least give me a clear path to start on.
Notes:
My computer is 13" Macbook running Tiger version 10.4.1
My computer also had a great fall as I stumbled over my cat and ever since, if I tried to lift the laptop While it is on it would shut off or restart. Other than that, my computer worked just fine. But getting it in to have that checked and fixed was on my to do list, but then this happens. Is there a possible connection?

(My computer us almost four years old. It's a tough little ****, having gone through a lot in my care, and it's out of warrentee, meaning the cost of diagnosis would not be covered by apple.)
Last I heard, there was "No Charge" for a genius appointment at the Apple Store. Repairing it is something else completely, but I believe they will take 15 minutes to do what they can.
Adam

Lock out Code does not work

Photoshop Album Starter Edition 3.0 .... I register, get the email with the lock out code, enter it and it just kicks me out of the program. The first couple of times it let me in, but the next time I went back into it, the registration screen came back up again.

I'm getting something somewhat like you describe but on
a brand new computer with this being the first third-party
application downloaded to it.
Downloaded reader 8 plus Photoshop Album Starter Edition 3.0
and I fill out the Product Registration form, click on Register.
In rapid sequence it says Attempting to Connect, Sending and
Receiving information, then throws up the error box:
Windows Internet Explorer
Cannot find 'http://www.onlineregister.com/powerregister/webview/pages/adb2/cha
mak_thx/?FNAM=x&CTRY=US'
Make sure the path or Internet address is correct. [OK]
Clicking on OK gets better, with another box displayed:
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program: ...Starter Edition\3.0\shared_assets\locales\en_us\ADB2.EXE
abnormal program termination
[OK]
Of course, typing the above URL into any browser *including*
the IE on the box in question immediately gets a page that
would make perfect sense to display, but apparently Adobe
doesn't play well with an IE7 system or there are more
fundamental issues here.
And to top it all off, you never get the unlock code by mail either,
despite a TCP snooper showing the information being transmitted.
Running the registration via Help->Registration over and over
yields the same failure results.
Completely deinstalled all Adobe components and re-downloaded and re-installed
and got same results. Even allowed it to apply the
3.01
update and that didn't help either, so my allowed run counter
is quickly approaching zero, as it is so good about remembering
that across a deinstall-reinstall.
Oh well, back to de-install it goes. It clearly isn't going
to be usable because of the security bugs before it isn't usable
because of the security features.

Safari locked out by Malicious Virus Attack...

Today my Safari was locked out and this warning popped up on my screen. "
Critical Security Warning! Your Mac is infected with a malicious virus attack.
Please contact tech support at +1-888-307-2735 and provide error code WBACK7917 to scan and resolve any potential threats to your personal and financial information, which was being tracked by suspicious connection.
Consequently we are performing additional security checks to verify the source of the attack and have halted all your system resources in order to prevent any additional damage to your system and information."
I called the number but the rep didn't identify herself only stated that they work with Apple & Safarii to help reduce these problems, then proceeded to ask for permission to enter my laptop remotely. I colorfully told her where she could go. So my Safari is locked out, MacKeeper hasn't identified the problem and the Safari app doesn't show in Mackeeper for me to uninstall the entire application. Please help me get rid of Safari then load a brand new one without the Debbie does Dallas getting her sticky fingers in my MaBbook Pro (17-inch) OS X updated 10.10.1 Yosemite.
How can I uninstall Safari on my MacBook Pro when it is entwined into the OS X operating system? Then reinstall a clean version.

dominic23
Re:
Safari locked out by Malicious Virus Attack...
You said...
"This is a scam.
1. Force Quit .
    Press command + option + esc keys together at the same time. Wait.
    When Force Quit window appears, select Safari if not already.
    Press Force Quit button at the bottom of the window.   Wait.
    Safari will quit.
2. Relaunch Safari holding the shift key down.
3. Turn off wifi and turn it back on.
    Turn off Wifi. Click Wifi icon in the menu bar and select “Turn Wifi off”.
    Visit another website.
    You won’t have internet connection.
    Turn on Wifi. Click Wifi icon in the menu bar and select “Turn Wifi on”.
    Select your Network."
Your solution worked until I opened Safari again. I tried it several times, but the pop-up messages keep returning while locking the Safari screen.
Any other suggestions?
Don

Locked out of brand new Mac Pro (password nightmare)

I'm a very experienced Mac user -- and I'm stumped.
• Just bought a new Mac Pro, running Leopard (not Snow Leopard).
• Used Migration Assistant to copy settings from Quad G5, also running Leopard.
• Migration failed with errors, one of which was "[PreviousUserName] could not be created." (It specified the previous user name.)
• I restarted the new machine.
• Now _it asks for a user name and password_ -- which I never specified -- so, _I can't log in. I'm locked out of my brand new Mac._ The user name and password from the old machine do not work. I can't even log on as root!
• So, I reinstalled Leopard from the install DVD. But after doing so...
• I'm still asked for a user name and password.
*Apple's official document on resetting the admin password:* http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274
• So, I followed those instructions. I booted from the Mac Pro's install CD and selected "Reset password…" from the Utility menu. But upon doing so, there are no users to reset! The only user in the list is root, and according to the (linked) support document, one is to avoid resetting the password for root (not that I ever had a chance to set one anyway).
So, I remain locked out of my brand new Mac, unable to reset the password that somehow got set in the failed Migration Assistant procedure.
I'm stumped. Suggestions?

Thanks for the reply. You may not have read my entire post, since I mentioned I'd already attempted two of your suggestions (reinstalling the OS and logging in as root). Unfortunately, at the time, I was unable to do either.
Since then, however, I've made some progress:
I found partial success by ignoring the support document's "warning" and resetting the password for the root user. Doing so allowed me to log in as root and create a new user. (Disclaimer to others: Do NOT do this unless you're sure you know what you're doing.)
I'm now able to log in, but am experiencing other errors -- which I believe are related to the failed Migration Assistant procedure. But at least I'm now able to log in. I'm hoping to make further progress with Disk Utility and Disk Warrior (but that would be another thread). For now, I've solved the primary issue described in this thread.
Message was edited by: Syncopator

Locked out of Macbook Pro w/ Retina

I just bought my Macbook Pro with the Retina screen and I was moving my stuff from my imac to my macbook using Migration Assistant and I clicked continue before the estimate was reached for how much memory everything would take so It went on to move my stuff and then I get a message saying that there wasn't enough space in my Macbook Pro for everything so I went back and deselected my applications and stuff so it could all fit. After that, It asked to register my macbook with my Apple ID and all that stuff so I did that and then after that It went to my logon screen. This screen shows the same picture of me that I made for my account on my iMac so I know that got moved over BUT I tried putting in the same password that I used on my iMac (and every password I've ever made in my entire life) but every time my macbook pro says that it's and incorrect password. So I've looking around the web and i realized that you can simpley fix this on any other computer by reinstalling the software from a disk that comes with your computer but the Macbook Pro with the Retina screen doesn't have an optical drive so I've come to realize that there are only two ways to fix this. Either somehow get around the password (Which is where I need the community's help if it's possible), OR I can Go to the Apple store in the morning because It's midnight right now. I'm also thinking about calling Apple Support and hoping that somebody is awake right now to take my call. I'm asking for the community's help right now to see what my options are. If I can't do anything but go to the apple store in the morning, I'll just wait until then. Thanks for any possible help that I may receive here!
-Nick

I had this same problem yesterday. I ended up reinstalling several times. I was then stuck in a virtual loop where it kept making me add a new account time and time again. I finally called Apple support and they had me log in via safe mode by holding down the shift key when starting up. This allowed me to log in. I am not sure if this helps when it is still just locked out but it might work. I held down the option key to reinstall the operating system and I waited to import until after sucessfully reinstalling Lion.
I would suggest if you do try erasing the HD and reinstalling Lion it will take a while. Set up your main account, then, before migrating, create a new account that you will log in to for the migration. This will allow you to merge the newly created account and the migrated account. I got locked out again when I did this but I was able to go into the secondary account and change my password back.
Hope this helps you. I know I was pretty frustrated.

I'm running OSX 10.9.2, when my system updated it required my Apple ID... When I provided it, it said that AppleID hadn't been used at the App Store... so now I'm locked out of my system... what do I do??

Suggestions Re: I'm running OSX 10.9.2, when my system updated it required my Apple ID... When I provided it, it said that AppleID hadn't been used at the App Store... so now I'm locked out of my system... what do I do??

First, there are no PPC Macs that can run Snow Leopard or later. Did you buy your iMac used? Where did you get Mavericks in the first place? If it was installed by the seller, then you are not licesnsed to use his/her copy.
Do you know exactly what iMac model you have? If it's a post 2010 model you can do the following:
Install Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion Using Internet Recovery
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion. Mavericks: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
            if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
This should restore the version of OS X originally pre-installed on the computer. You may then go to the App Store to download Mavericks using your Apple ID.
If you have a 2010 model you may require a special firmware upgrade before you can do the above: Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery.
If you have an earlier iMac then you must get Snow Leopard 10.6.8 installed by installing a version of Snow Leopard either included on the software restore discs or:
Upgrading to Snow Leopard
You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mavericks if your computer meets the requirements.
     Snow Leopard General Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
       2. 1GB of memory
       3. 5GB of available disk space
       4. DVD drive for installation
       5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
           fees may apply.
       6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and
           terms apply.

ICloud/iTunes Account Locking out Active Directory Account [?]

The facts:
I have been having this problem for the past four+ months.
My work email address is my iTunes account name
My work AD account gets logged out most evenings, sometimes within an hour of leaving work, sometimes late at night
I know when my account is logged out because my iPhone will ask for my Exchange password, or I cannot get into Outlook Web Access
When my iTunes/iCloud account password is the same as my Active Directory password this does not happen. When this was the case earlier this year I went 90 days without a lockout. The day after my password expired and I changed my password - locked out again
Exchange recognizes two mobile devices, my iPad2 and my iPhone 4, as mobile ActiveSync clients
I have reset both of these devices, updated to the latest iOS and reinstalled and reconfigured my apps
This occurs even when neither of these devices has an active ActiveSync account set up to use my work Exchange server
The keyrings (Mac) and Credential Managers (PC) of all my home machines have been sanitized
Mail (Mac) and Outlook are not configured on my home machines, and they are not affiliated with the work domain in any way
From these facts it seems to me that the issue is:
There exists a machine attempting to reach my Exchange account using a password I have used in the past
If it is a computer that I have possession of, it must be an iDevice, because this behavior has still occurred when all others have been powered off
If it is an iDevice under my control then it is something in iCloud/iTunes, because it does not depend on having the Exchange account configured on either iDevice and those are the only applications with knowledge of my work email address
So,
If it is my iCloud/iTunes account then WHY in the name of all that is sacred is it hitting my work Exchange server and locking out my account?
I can think of no other -possible- devices or online services that have both that password, and knowledge of that email address. I remotely wiped an old phone that might have had the email account configured.
Help?

I would very much like to hear from someone at Apple regarding this as I'm having a very similar if not the exact same issue.

Forgotten iPad Passcode after IOS 7 upgrade. Locked out, can't turn off Find my IPad to reset i Pad, Forgotten iPad Passcode after IOS 7 upgrade. Locked out, can't turn off Find my IPad to reset i Pad

iPad upgraded to IOS7. Passcode was asked. I have totally forgotten the passcode. Connected the iPad to my computer for a reset, but window popped up saying to turn off Find my iPad in Settings. How can I do this, when I'm locked out ?

For all of those who are still searching, here's what I did:
You need to get into "DFU mode".
In order to do this, you
1. must have synchronised your ipad with itunes before it was blocked
2. first connect your iPad to iTunes and there make a backup of your iPad
3. turn off your ipad and wait at least 5 seconds
4. connect your ipad to itunes
5. turn it on again, this time pressing Power and Home button at the same time and holding them for EXACTLY 10 seconds
6. let go of the Power button while still holding the Home button for EXACTLY another 10 seconds.
7. Your screen must be black now. There must NOT be a picture of a USB cable on the screen because that would be a different mode than the DFU mode.
8. Itunes tells you that your device is in DFU mode
9. Go to the "summary" tab in itunes and click restore iPad
10. itunes gives a warning that all data will be deleted and your iPad will be reset to factory settings.
11. You accept and click through the process
12. In the process, you may reinstall your backup. The password will not be reinstalled.

Mac book air os x lion windows network connection keep getting locked out

hello, I have an end user with a mac air, running os x lion. I attached him to a network share on the windows network active directory on server 2008. he is the only one that when he clicks on the network share it locks him out. I check a/d and he is locked out each time. Is there a fix for this. other computer specs are processor 1.7 ghz intel core i5 4gigs memory. this should be an easy fix for such a robust machine.

Hey,
yes I did get to the bottom of this problem!!!. After spending some time on the phone with apple support they suggested that it was probably a problem with the hardware on my macbook air.
So I took this to an apple shop they had a look and it was infact a problem with the logic board. Not sure what was wrong specifically but they replaced it and then reinstalled OS for me and now works perfectly. All came under the warrenty obviously.
I had a look at your thread and it seems that your having the same problem, only thing i can suggest is ring support if you havnt done so already they will go through recovery with you, should be all free if you have just bought your new mac. Alternatively, to save time I would quickly check and download via a different internet connection/ try connect your mac to the router with an ethernet cable, just to see wether its an internet issue.
If this fails unfortunately you will most likely have to take it to an apple store to get them to take a look!.
Good luck
A

Reinstalling OS ...locked out

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