Resetting Administrative Password without startup disk
Away from my home, attempting to access Macbook Pro administrative settings. Forgot password and unable to gain access without my startup disk. Wondering if there is a way around this or a way to reset password.
Forgot Your Account Password
For Snow Leopard and earlier
Mac OS X 10.6- If you forget your administrator password
For Lion/Mountain Lion
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
When the menubar appears select Terminal from the Utilities menu.
Enter resetpassword at the prompt and press RETURN. Follow
instructions in the dialog window that will appear.
Or see Reset a Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Password and
OS X Lion- Apple ID can be used to reset your user account password.
If you are unable to boot from an installer DVD:
(these will only work on Leopard or earlier)
1. Boot to Safe Mode by restarting and after the chime press and hold down
the COMMAND-S keys until a black screen with white type appears.
2. At the prompt, type the following commands pressing return after each
command line:
/sbin/fsck -yf
If you do not receive a "Filesystem OK" message then repeat this command
until you do. If after seven tries you still do not receive a "Filesystem OK"
message, then the system is corrupted and needs to be reinstalled.
mount -uw /
cd /private/var/db/netinfo
mv local.nidb local.old
rm ../.AppleSetupDone
shutdown -r now
The second-to-last command above will cause OS X to think that the operating system is newly installed, and when the new owner starts up the computer it will send him/her to the startup wizard where he/she can start a new user without reinstalling.
This last method does not actually change a password. It simply removes the user accounts and lets you create an initial admin account as if the computer were new out of the box.
Reset Admin Password Using The Terminal
You can reset the password by printing out (or writing down) and carefully following these steps.
First, find the short name of the admin user on the machine. The easiest way of doing this is by looking at what the directory is called in the Users folder.
Now, start in Single-user Mode. It should boot into a command line.
Enter these exact lines. Press RETURN after each.
mount -uw /
ifconfig lo0 up
cd /var/db/netinfo
netinfod -s local
Now you'll need that short name. Enter "passwd", a space, and the short name of the admin. For example, if the admin was rather prosaically called "imadmin", you would enter "passwd imadmin".
The computer will now prompt you to change the password for "lmadmin" (or whatever the short name was). Go ahead and enter a new password.
Now, enter:
sync
reboot
and the machine will reboot. The admin password should now be changed.
Similar Messages
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How to reset administrator password without a disk
how can i reset administrator password without a disk....first time using macbook....
please help me to reset the adm. password step by step.
thank you so muchhttp://www.rit.edu/its/services/desktop_support/mac/xforcenewadminacccount.html
http://osxdaily.com/2011/04/25/change-admin-password-mac/
http://osxdaily.com/2011/08/24/reset-mac-os-x-10-7-lion-password/ -
Resetting Password without startup disks
Left startup disks home, unable to get access to administrative settings. How do I reset password without startup disk?
jsmurphy06 wrote:
Left startup disks home, unable to get access to administrative settings. How do I reset password without startup disk?
"unable to get access to administrative settings?"
Why, are you admin or not? -
How to reset administrator password without cd
Is there a way to reset Administrator password without CD and without losing all my information?
Yes, you have 10.7.2 all you have to do is
1: Hold command r while booting to enter Lion Recovery
2: Select Terminal and launch it
3: Type: ResetPassword and press enter
4: Follow the program that launches.
For 10.6
http://osxdaily.com/2011/04/25/change-admin-password-mac/ -
Resetting admin password without OS disk
Hi there,
Simple question, how can I reset the original administrator password without a Mac OS X disk? Reason being the client doesn't have his.
Is there another livecd maybe that has similar functionality or is it a lost cause?Cal Apple to order a new set of discs. Meanwhile the following method should let you create a new administrator account.
You need to get into single use mode for steps 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.
1) Get the Mac to set up a new administrative account. You can then delete the 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
reboot Enter
Once you've done that the computer reboots and ask you to set up an admin password. -
How do you reset or find out your administrator password without a disk? please help!
i have not tried to download anything in a while on my computer and i am trying to upgrade something and it wont let me without my administrator password and i totally forgot it and definitely do not have my DISK that they are saying i need to put in in order to reset it.
i am hoping there is an easier way..... please let me know.Forgot Your Account Password
For Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
When the menubar appears select Terminal from the Utilities menu.
Enter resetpassword at the prompt and press RETURN. Follow
instructions in the dialog window that will appear.
Or see:
Reset a Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Password
OS X Mountain Lion- Reset a login password,
OS X Mavericks- Solve password problems,
OS X Lion- Apple ID can be used to reset your user account password.
For Snow Leopard and earlier with installer DVD
Mac OS X 10.6- If you forget your administrator password,
OS X- Changing or resetting an account password (Snow Leopard and earlier).
For Snow Leopard and earlier without installer DVD
How to reset your Mac OS X password without an installer disc | MacYourself
Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD — Tech News and Analysis
How To Create A New Administrator Account - Hack Mac -
Please if anyone can be of help whom knows how to reset your adminsistrator password without your original start-up disk, I would really appreciate it! Thanks
Try the method as mentioned by " Ds Store " in the below User Tip. You will have to boot your Mac in Single User Mode where you can reset the Password using Terminal Command and without the Snow Leopard Disc.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5381 -
Resetting admin password sans startup disk
Hi! I have an iMac G5 (non intel) that I stopped using about three years ago after we got laptops. I change my passwords frequently and now I can only log into my son's account. I need to reset the admnin password for the whole thing and the only tutorial I saw needed the startup disk and the only one I have is the one for my laptop. Does anyone know how to fix this?
JackNordic,
Mac OS X 10.6 requires a Mac computer with an Intel processor.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/specs.html -
Can i factory reset my Mac without startup disk???
So i have a 2009 10.5.8 osx mac book pro , problem is a friend gave it to me whos long gone and is the factory owner or whatever you call the '"master".
I dont know the master password and cant download adobe Cant update software without their password. So i'd like to completley wipe out everything as if I just bought the computer brand new.... problem is i dont have any of the disks and keep in mind i cant really download anything at all because this thing ***** so bad...... please helpDuplicate installation disks can be ordered from Apple customer service. You will have to provide them with the MBP serial number and there is a charge.
Ciao. -
Resetting admin password *without* install disks?
I am locked out of my ibook g4. have read all the discussions and suggestions posted here, but the only solution seems to be to do a restore install holding down c. problem is that I am overseas and don't have my discs with me.
my computer was purchased two months ago. it's a 'refreshed' apple product. when I got it, the password was set as a return/enter (no characters). I changed this to a personal password and it has worked til now. is there any common password that an apple tech might have used that I can try?
any other way to get into my computer?!
thank you.I wonder if it might help to boot to safe mode. If you do so, be aware that it can take quite some time, due to the process involved. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393
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8,000 miles from home. No OS disks, Is there a way I can reset administrator password without OS disks? thanks lynda
If you can access the Web*, try this link: http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-73393-change-mac-admin-password-without-the-d isk
Caveat: not tried by me.
* I assume you have Web access because you posted here. -
Hi guys,
I use a MacBook Pro with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. A few months ago I reset my administrator password and have not been able to remember it since. Consequently, I haven’t been able to do any software updates, my computer is running slow and I'm getting a lot of pop-up junk on my screen. I’m the only user on my computer, apart from the Guest User (Sharing only).
How can I reset my administrator password, without knowing the original password?
Thanks.Resetting Password and/or Home Folder Permissions
-
Trying to reset administrator name/password by using the Mac OS X Install disc to reset but it won't allow me to without original administrator name/password. Frustrating. Reason I'm trying to reset is that it seems to be not recognising the administrator name as have changed password in System Preferences - Accounts.
PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)Here's the instructions if you have the discs.
*Mac OS X: Changing or resetting an account password*
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274?viewlocale=en_US
Changing your administrator password
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh655.html
Here's one method to reset the password without the install disc:
1. boot computer and hold the "apple" key and the "s" key.
2. wait for terminal show
3. release keys
4. type without the quotes: "/sbin/mount -uaw"
5. press enter
6. type without the quotes: "rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
7. press enter
8. type without the quotes: "reboot"
9. press enter
This will let you create a new admin account when you reboot your computer.
Also, without the discs, look at Mac OS X Tip - No Password, No Root, No CD? No Problem.
http://www.macobserver.com/tip/2003/06/16.1.shtml
Without the discs, try this (OS 10.5 only). *How to Reset User Password via single user mode*
http://macosx.com/forums/howto-faqs/300019-howto-reset-user-password-via-single- user-mode.html
Here is a way to get around not knowing the admin password on Macs.
To reset your OS X password without an OS X CD you need to enter terminal and create a new admin account:
1. Reboot
2. Hold apple + s down after you hear the chime.
3. When you get text prompt enter in these terminal commands to create a brand new admin account (hitting return after each line):
* mount -uw /
* rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
* shutdown -h now
4. After rebooting you should have a brand new admin account. When you login as the new admin you can simply delete the old one and you’re good to go again!
Cheers, Tom -
I cant remember my administrator password. can anyone advise me how to reset the password without having the original? I have a MacBook Air - Mac OS X 10.6
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
As you are using Snow Leopard, read "Resetting your original administrator account password" > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274 You have to start from the Mac OS X Snow Leopard disc, so you need an external optical drive or another Mac or PC to use Remote Install Mac OS X -
How to reset administrator passwword without osx cd
how to reset administrator passowrd without osx cd
Yes, you have 10.7.2 all you have to do is
1: Hold command r while booting to enter Lion Recovery
2: Select Terminal and launch it
3: Type: ResetPassword and press enter
4: Follow the program that launches.
For 10.6
http://osxdaily.com/2011/04/25/change-admin-password-mac/
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