forgot user password, how to reset mac pro to factory settings

Question

Level 1

1 points

forgot user password, how to reset mac pro to factory settings

hi guys,

Recently I bought a used mac OS X 10.5, am very new to mac world. i am unable to load any softwares like wireless adapters since I am unable to get the password for the previous user. Also, I would like to reset the computer to factory settings, can I do that? Would you folks help me out!!
thanks

mac pro, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Mar 4, 2010 9:42 AM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Mar 4, 2010 9:49 AM in response to prasnair

Boot from the system DVD.
Wipe the whole drive and zero it.
Install a new fresh OS!

If it didn't come with discs, it should.
Never use someone else's system.

You can get Snow Leopard 10.6 for $29.

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Answer 2

prasnair Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 4, 2010 10:12 AM in response to prasnair

but i cant do anything without knowing the old user's password. then only can i boot the system. how can i know the password or atleast remove that users interference

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Answer 3

willp1

Level 1

121 points

Mar 4, 2010 10:18 AM in response to prasnair

Yes you can. Just follow Hatter advice.

Will

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Mar 4, 2010 10:34 AM in response to prasnair

The Mac Pro has 4 internal drive sleds, no cables, that just pull out and slide back in.

Pull out the original drive and see what else is there.
Buy yourself or use one of your own drives.

HOLD 'C' to boot from a DVD.
Holding OPTION or Alt will show a boot menu of valid boot volumes (can include Windows even). You could boot from Windows CD/DVD and nuke the whole thing.

Before installing, go to UTILITY menu and DISK UTILITY and ERASE the drive (not the subset volume).

Assume you know your way around Mac and OS, yes?

You don't know what was or wasn't, and if you don't own license for software etc that is on the computer, another reason to wipe it clean.

Start from scratch.

Call AppleCare Customer Support and they can send out discs for fee, insure it is 'legit' (need to give them the serial number from case).

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Answer 5

prasnair Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 12, 2010 11:23 AM in response to The hatter

how can i reinstall Office 2004 in my mac. I restored my mac 10.5 but didnt check the office(Microsoft) 2004 license keys. Can I retrieve those keys from Apple of any how?

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Answer 6

direwolf8

Level 4

1,280 points

Mar 15, 2010 12:39 PM in response to prasnair

No, you'll need to reload the software and re-enter the key. If you don't have the key and distribution media, then you don't have a license for the software and will have to purchase it. Sometimes the seller will leave software on the machine without the included licenses to make it more attractive to the purchaser -- but you don't really own the software.

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