So I just bought a used MacBook from Amazon with OSX 10.5.8. I am trying to install new software and operating system, but I don't have the passwords to the Users set up in the computer. What do I do?

Put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. Be sure to either use the disc that came with your Mac, or, if you installed a later Mac OS X version from disc, use the newer disc. As soon as you hear the boot chime, hold down the "c" key on your keyboard (or the Option Key until the Install Disk shows up) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Reset Password. After resetting the password use Startup Disk from the same menu to choose your hard drive for startup and restart.

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I'm trying to install new software and my keychain asks for my password I put it in says its not right, gives me hint, same password it is the one I always use, so what do I do now?

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What model iMac and what version of the Mac OS is installed? "About this Mac" from the Apple menu is a good place to start.

I just bought a used Macbook Pro. How do I make the changes to make it personal. Example the iTunes comes up as the old user and I have to have his password to make changes on the laptop. Can you make any suggestions?

I just bought a used Macbook Pro. How do I make the changes to make it personal. Example the iTunes comes up as the old user and I have to have his password to make changes on the laptop. Can you make any suggestions?
Also I cant make a right click on the pad. Is that normal?

Your first going to have to remove all your personal data off the machine to a external storage drive, do not use TimeMachine when it asks as this will copy the entire drive and is unnecessary at this time (also takes too long).
You need to drag and drop copy your personal data folders (Music, Pictures, Movies etc) to a external storage drive, once done, unmount and disconnect this drive.
Most commonly used backup methods
Next your going to follow the Zero Erase and install method for your OS X version, either 10.6 or 10.7, here
How to reinstall just OS X or erase/install OS X
10.7 requires your AppleID and password to install, so make sure to have that ready.
Once you reboot your into the real setup of OS X, which will require your name etc, so it's now your machine.
Install your programs, iLife package is only free for the owner of the machine.
If you have the 10.6 machine specific disks, then it's on there.
If your using 10.7, then you'll have to purchase it from the App Store.
Last, return your files from the storage drive, consider setting up a TimeMachine or clone on the external drive.

Just bought a used MacBook pro after my previous died. I want to migrate my applications, data, etc from a time machine backup of the old computer to the new. Will this affect, or overwrite the Apps., data, etc existing on the new machine?

Just bought a used MacBook pro after my previous died. I want to migrate my applications, data, etc from a time machine backup of the old computer to the new. Will this affect, or overwrite the Apps., data, etc existing on the new machine?

No. Only those Apps that are not installed on the new will migrate over.

I would like to take excel classes / tutorials (intermediate to advanced) and practice on this computer. Could someone clarify, what software and operating system is needed? Can I just use numbers? Do I need to download Excel for Macs and use Camp Boot?

I would like to take excel classes / tutorials (intermediate to advanced) and practice on this computer. Could someone clarify, what software and operating system is needed? Can I just use numbers? Do I need to download Excel for Macs and use Camp Boot?

Numbers is a joke compared to Excel. If I were you I would find a class/tutorial first, find out what they use (and it won't be Numbers) and see if you need the Mac or Windows version of Excel. Note that Excel is not sold as a seperate product from the Microsoft Office suites.
Clinton

I have just uploaded the new software and a strange app has appeared on my home screen ( a grey target, panorama thing without the man) there is no title under it and I can't seem to delete it. What is it? Do I need it? How do I delete it?

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Thanks for responding so quickly!I also tried that and it still didnt' work.I tried to take pictures while using the flash.I think my only option at this point is to go to Apple........

I currently have the Mac OS X v10.5.8 and want to get the new operating system but I don't know how to do it. I don't have the Mac App Store and can't get it because of my version. What do I do?

I currently have the Mac OS X v10.5.8 and want to get the new operating system but I don't know how to do it. I don't have the Mac App Store and can't get it because of my version. What do I do?

The Early 2006 model 1,1 Core Duo can only run a maximum of 10.6 Snow Leopard. The models Late 2006 Core 2 Duos 2,1 through Early 2008 4,1 can only run a maximum of 10.7 Lion. The Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody through the Mid 2010 White Unibody model 7,1 can run 10.8 Mountain Lion.
To see which model you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up check the Model Identifier and post it back here.
The Snow Leopard 10.6 DVD should still be available from Apple for $20. You will have to call Apple Customer Care 1-800-692-7753 or 1-800-676-2775 to purchase it. It may still be in the Legacy Products list.
If they no longer have any in stock you will have to buy it from eBay or Apple resellers that still have stock. But you will have to pay a premium since the DVDs are no longer being made. Snow Leopard DVDs are already up to $100 on Amazon.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=10.6+snow+leopard&_sacat=0&_odkw=mac+os+10.6 &_osacat=0
Once you are at 10.6.8 Lion is still available from Apple. You will have to call Apple Customer Care 1-800-692-7753 or 1-800-676-2775. to purchase it. Then within 3 days you will get an email with a code which you can use to download Lion from the App Store. The price is still $29. You must have at least a model 2,1 MacBook.
Lion will require at least 2gb of RAM but really needs 4gb to run smoothly.
As for third party programs see this list for compatibility with 10.7 http://roaringapps.com/apps:table
Also Lion doesn't run any Power PC programs. To see if you have any Power PC programs go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up select Applications under Software. Then look under Kind to see if any of your applications are listed as Power PC. Universal and Intel will run under Lion.
Before Mac switched to Intel processors in 2006 they used Power PC processors from 1994 to 2005. Power PC 601 through 604, G3, G4 and G5. Applications written for the Power PC processors need the application called Rosetta to run on Intel processors. This was part of the Operating System in 10.4 and 10.5 but was an optional install in 10.6. With 10.7 Lion Apple dropped all support for Power PC applications.

Ive tried loading this new software, and step 1 and 2 were successful, but after trying to restart the loading grey screen wont stop loading?

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Hello Valerie Anderson,
I'm Harry from Norton Support team. Please check the information provided in a similar thread here:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/21854775#21854775
Let me know if this helps.
Thanks!
Harry

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Good Morning Friends,
I am trying to install a clean copy of Lion, but I don't see the OS in my Disk Utility... I am lost.

Hi Bohandleit208,
Just double-click on the Lion installer to install it. You should not need Disk Utility for that purpose. The Lion installer should be in your Applications folder.

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What "new" software?
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Hi i have just bought a used ibook from goodwill and need to reset the id and password.is there anyway to do this? i called tech support and they said to try here because our ibook is considered opsolete and they can't help me. thanks

hi before i start i did not steal it, i bought a used ibook and need to know if there is a way to reset or get past the old user id and pass word. we bought it from goodwil so no way to ask old owner and i called tech support and it is conciderd opsolete so no help from them and know one in this area works on mac. so what can i do? this is for my daughter and we are not rich thats why we bought used. thanks for any help.

Here are the instructions, as I have them:
Press the Command + s key during startup. This takes you to Single User Mode, where you will see a command line.
Type this when the command-line prompt (>) appears:
mount -uw /
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
shutdown -h now
When the iBook restarts, you will see the setup screen. This allows you to create a new account. BE SURE to give yourself administrative privileges. You can now use this new account and set it to log in automatically with this new account if you don't want to be bothered with the login screen every time you start up.
You can also delete the old account if you want to free up some hard drive space.
Good luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
However, it is desirable to do it with the disc, if it is available, which is why I waited to see if the user has the disc before supplying the instructions for doing it via Single User Mode.

I just bought a used macbook pro 15 unibody, and would love to know how to change it's name from "previous owner's macbook pro" to "my macbook pro". Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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jeremyfromcanton wrote:
It did not come with the original discs, and I bought it for the fact that it came with certain programs already on it. I do have the snow leopard os disc I bought to update my older macbook, but don't want to lose those programs which I bought it for.
Then you need to obtain them from the seller. It is illegal (according to Apple) to sell Macs without the system discs that came with it.
You can get replacement System Discs from Apple's Customer Support - in the US, (800) 767-2775 - for a nominal S&H fee. You'll need to have the model and serial number of your Mac available.
If you're not in the US, you may need to go through the regional Apple Store that serves your location to find the contact number. Here's a list of links to all of those -
http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/intlstoreroutingpage.html
Mac OS X 10.6 Help: If you forget your administrator password

So I just bought a used MacBook from Amazon with OSX 10.5.8. I am trying to install new software and operating system, but I don't have the passwords to the Users set up in the computer. What do I do?

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