HT202860: Change or reset the password of an OS X user account

Learn about Change or reset the password of an OS X user account
Deacondude

Q: iMac

we have an old iMac wew used as a printe server but now we can't log into it. Is there any way we can get to logon w/o knowing the Admin credentials? I think one of the kids did something.

iMac, Admin credentials

Posted on Jun 15, 2015 10:22 AM

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Q: iMac

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  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jun 15, 2015 11:53 AM in response to Deacondude
    Level 8 (35,044 points)
    iPad
    Jun 15, 2015 11:53 AM in response to Deacondude

    Can you tell us what Mac OSX version it has? That could affect instructions for trying to address your issue. If you cannot start the computer far enough to see "About this Mac" in your Apple menu, you can find the serial number on a sticker (please see: Find the serial number of your Apple hardware product - Apple Support ) and enter it into this Apple support page:

     

    https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

     

    to have the model identified.

     

    If your iMac is too old to use the Apple lookup function (it happens) you can get the same information with this web site:

     

    http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/

     

    Please let us know what you find BUT do not post the computer's serial number in these forums.

  • by Deacondude,

    Deacondude Deacondude Jun 15, 2015 12:49 PM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2015 12:49 PM in response to Allan Jones

    Hi Allen,

     

    Thanx very much for the prompt reply. I was able to read the Serial Number off the bottom of the iMac, but when I try to enter it in the Apple support pge, I get We're sorry, but this serial number is not valid. Please check your information and try again.

     

    The serial number does come up, however, on the everymac.com website as legit.

     

    What do I do now>

  • by stevejobsfan0123,

    stevejobsfan0123 stevejobsfan0123 Jun 15, 2015 12:51 PM in response to Deacondude
    Level 8 (43,557 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 15, 2015 12:51 PM in response to Deacondude

    And what does the Everymac website say about it? I suspect it is an iMac G3.

  • by Deacondude,

    Deacondude Deacondude Jun 15, 2015 12:59 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2015 12:59 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123

    Close - iMac G4/800.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Jun 16, 2015 9:56 AM in response to Deacondude
    Level 6 (8,471 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jun 16, 2015 9:56 AM in response to Deacondude

    Get the Mac to set up  an additional administrative account.  You can then change the password on your old account.  This will work all all releases of Mac OS X so far.

      

    Start with your computer power off.  Hold down command-s. Power on your computer.   

      

    Type in the following: 

      

    The first two commands will depend on your release of Mac OS X.  Look at what is typed out in the console to determine the exact format. 

    # Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write. Press return after each command. 

    # in case of partial success repeat this command until errors go away.

    /sbin/fsck -fy 

    /sbin/mount -uw / 

      

    cd /var/db 

    pwd 

    #List all files. The l is a lower case L. 

    ls -a 

    #The move command acts as a rename command in this format. 

    mv -i  .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old 

      

    # reboot  your mac

    shutdown -r now

      

    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!! 

    Limnos adds detailed explainations: 

    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8441597#8441597 

      

    The above the idea came from a post by JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM 

    http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_do_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_root_password.html 

    You will need to scroll down to see this post.  Search for applesetupdone