The administrator doesn't work for my computer

Question

I've never changed any information on my computer, but for whatever reason, my administrator password doesn't work - therefore, I cannot update anything! I've changed the password using the install disc, but it still didn't work. I have no idea what to do, and I want to avoid having to erase my harddrive and start over again. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

You could enable the root account then create a new administrator account.
See:
http://www.spy-hill.com/~myers/help/apple/EnableRoot.html
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106290
Once you have enable the root account. Logoff your account.
Click on the blue apple icon > log out
This will bring up the logon screen. Enter root & your root password.
If you have trouble enabling the root account, you will have to use the sudo method in the first article. You will have to boot in single user mode. Hold down the command-s key when you poweron your machine. Follow the instructions that come up in single user mode to enable write access to the harddrive. Then, follow the instruction for enable root from the command line in the first article ( the third set of instructions ). You may not have to put sudo before the commands.
I have not tried this. It is what I got from reading the above pages.
Most people would advise disabling the root account once you are done with it.
Robert