password for installing anything

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Level 1

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password for installing anything

I have a mini mac that I was able to install OS X 10.5 about a year ago. I am using a windows keyboard (background info). I (my name) shows as the currently logged on user and apparently have admin privileges. Now everything I try to install - updates, applications, etc. - requires that I put in a password. I don't recall making one up. I tried to follow the instructions to boot from the CD and attempt a control C and then attempt to change the password. No matter what I type or try it always boots off the hard drive. Do I need a true apple keyboard or am I not using the the right key combination to try to get the mini mac to boot off the CD so I can change the password to ultimately install things?

Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Oct 25, 2009 1:39 PM

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Answer 1

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Oct 25, 2009 2:52 PM in response to mini09

As for booting up from CD, use C (not control-C) and make sure you are using a wired (not wireless) keyboard.

But before doing that, understand that applications that install with a drag & drop to the /Applications folder don't need a password to install them when logged in to an admin account.

But applications that use Installer.app, and anything that installs via Apple's Software Update, do require that the admin password be entered when installing. That's all normal.

You seem to indicate that your admin password is blank - that's not really the case, is it?

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Answer 2

mini09 Author

Level 1

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Oct 25, 2009 6:14 PM in response to Király

I'll try the C (which I assume means capital C and yes, it is a wired keyboard). I tried putting in a carriage return for the password and apparently it is not blank. So whatever it is, I don't know it and was therefore trying to boot up on the CD to use the reset password function. I don't know to drag and drop to install things (I'm new to apple) so I assume that what is trying to be installed (so far that is AOL and the the operating system all seem to want a password before installing. Thanks for replying to me thus far.

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