How to run a sudo command with no mac password ever set

Question

How to run a sudo command with no mac password ever set

I'm running OS 10.9.5 I cannot upgrade because too many software programs and hardware will not work on my mac if I do.

I'm using Backblaze and apple updated their global certificate and it does not work on my OS now.

Backblaze gave me a work around by downloading the certificate and I'm supposed to put the script they gave me into the terminal.

The problem is that after I paste the code into the terminal it asks for my password. I never set one for my mac. but when I hit enter it says incorrect password.

Normally when making changes on my mac ( when I get that box asking of I want to make changes to this computer the password spot is always blank, I just hit enter and I'm good to go)

How do run sudo commands when the password was never set up. and it keeps asking for one?

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Oct 25, 2021 10:46 AM

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Answer 1

Owl-53

Level 10

102,451 points

Oct 26, 2021 7:04 AM in response to mac sinse 2002

Reset Computer Password

Intel Computer

1 - Restart computer and immediately hold Command + r keys

2 - Top Tool Bar >> Utilities >> Terminal

3 - Type resetpassword as one word and no spaces

4 - Press Return key

5 - Follow the prompts and remember the New Password

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,636 points

Nov 4, 2021 4:24 PM in response to mac sinse 2002

It may be simpler to go to the "Users & Groups" System Preferences and change the password for the user account right there. Just leave the "old password" section blank to see what happens.

If you boot into Recovery Mode as suggested by @P. Phillips, then that should allow you to reset the password. You may also want to check the "Utilities" menu while booted into Recovery Mode to see if there is a "Reset Password" option (I know older versions of macOS had the option, but I'm not sure when they removed the menu option). If @P. Phillip's instructions don't work, then please tell us what error message you get when attempting to execute the "resetpassword" command.

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Answer 3

Oct 26, 2021 6:56 AM in response to Owl-53

The password section for when the iMac asks “do you want to make changes to this computer” is blank, I just hit enter with that section not filled in and I’m good to go,

now whether I had to set a password for the initial start up of first buying my iMac for it to run, I do not remember

does anyone know if it’s possible to have to have set a password for the initial setup of the computer and to have no password when it ask if you want to make changes ?

also does anyone know what I can do to rectify this situation so I can enter the global certification into the terminal?

thank you!

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Answer 4

Oct 26, 2021 11:03 AM in response to Owl-53

I just went into system preferences and it says "A login password has NOT been set for this user" so it goes back to the original problem that the terminal is asking for my password and I never set one.

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