User profile for user: jmahun
jmahun Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Change Admnistrators Password on G3

I recently purchased a 600mhz G3 iBook laptop on eBay. It has OS X 10.4.11 installed, 2 USB ports, and a built-in tray-loaded CDROM. It was cheap and I thought a good opportunity to learn a little bit about OS X (I'm new to it).

When the laptop boots, it goes directly into OS X without prompting for a password. When I try to install software, the operating system asks for the Administrator's password which I don't have. I contacted the seller and he was unable to help as he didn't know the password either.

So I did a search on the Internet for help.

One recurring suggestion was to boot the computer form the OS X disks and use the Change Password utility. I tried that but the computer won't boot from the CD.
I tried pressing the C key while the computer was booting, but it booted directly from the hard drive into OS X.
I tried holding down the Option key while booting to select the boot device. The hard disk was the only boot device shown.
And finally, I held down the Command-Option-Shift-Delete keys when restarting the computer but it still booted off the hard drive directly into OS X.

Each time, when it booted into OS X with the install CD in the drive, the operation system would open a window for the install CD. If I select Install Mac OS X there, it asks me for the Administrator's password. I tried running the Change Password utility directly from the install CD but the system told me I couldn't execute it from there.

I found some info on the internet about how to change the password without using an install CD. All the instructions stated that the computer should be booted into terminal mode by holding the Apple & S keys while booting followed by a series of terminal commands. I tried that but the laptop still booted off the hard drive directly into OS X so I couldn't get into terminal mode.

Is my iBook an older version which can't boot from the CDROM? And if so, how can I change the Administrator's password?

I'm new to the world of OS X and Apple computers and this is extremely frustrating.

iBook G3, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Sep 26, 2010 8:31 AM

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16 replies
User profile for user: Ronda Wilson
Ronda Wilson
User level: Level 8
43,008 points

Sep 26, 2010 4:07 PM in response to jmahun

Are you sure that the borrowed disc isn't a DVD? As I said, that is the usual media for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger). You have indicated that the iBook has a CD-ROM drive, so that could be the problem.

Tiger installation CDs are much, much rarer than the DVD version.

I would say that it sounds like it could be set up with an Open Firmware password, which is more difficult to deal with:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352

However, since you were able to actually use Startup Manager with the Option key, that doesn't seem likely.
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User profile for user: jmahun
jmahun Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Oct 2, 2010 10:49 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

The CD won't boot my friend's iBook either - evidently his OS X CDs are copies that came with his computer when he purchased it off eBay.
I've been checking eBay for OS X 10.4 install CDs and, needless to say, they are few and generally pretty expensive.

Can I use an earlier version OS X 10.something install CD to just reset the administrator's password?

I see a few reasonably priced 10.4 upgrade CDs - can one of these be used to reset the administrator's password?

I gotta tell you, so far the Mac world has been pretty frustrating for me. I understand the security issues surrounding the operating system but it can't be easy for people like me buying a used system off eBay when OS X install disks aren't included.
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User profile for user: Ronda Wilson
Ronda Wilson
User level: Level 8
43,008 points

Oct 2, 2010 11:43 AM in response to jmahun

it can't be easy for people like me buying a used system off eBay when OS X install disks aren't included.


That is exactly why I won't buy a used Mac that doesn't include the system CDs. You can bet that you're going to need them at some point.

I'd be asking the seller to give me my money back or exchange the iBook for one that isn't crippled in this way.

Can I use an earlier version OS X 10.something install CD to just reset the administrator's password?


No, you really need the version that is installed. It would be like trying to reset something on Windows XP using a Windows 98 disc.

I see a few reasonably priced 10.4 upgrade CDs - can one of these be used to reset the administrator's password?


A Mac OS X 10.4 upgrade CD should work for resetting the password, however if you ever need to reinstall the OS, you would need the full retail version. If your iBook is CD-ROM only, make sure that any disc you buy for resetting the password is a CD and not a DVD.

I gotta tell you, so far the Mac world has been pretty frustrating for me.


Well, consider the fact that the iBook is 9 years old! It would be kind of frustrating to work with any computer that is that old, especially as an introduction to the platform. If I were looking to expand my horizons into the Windows world, you can be sure that I wouldn't go hunting a nine-year-old PC and expect a less than frustrating experience from it. A lot of these old iBooks are still very attractive. With a little care, they still look impressive. But they are old, so don't expect a whole lot.

It kind of kills me a little inside to think that new users are basing their opinion of Macs on these dear little old iBooks because when you compare them to the new Macs, it's kind of like comparing Orville and Wilbur Wrights' converted bicycle to a Lear jet. You can maybe (just barely) get off the ground with it, but you ain't gonna fly very far very fast.
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User profile for user: BDAqua
BDAqua
User level: Level 10
250,259 points

Oct 2, 2010 11:32 PM in response to jmahun

I gotta tell you, so far the Mac world has been pretty frustrating for me. I understand the security issues surrounding the operating system but it can't be easy for people like me buying a used system off eBay when OS X install disks aren't included.


I quite understand, I'm am sad for your experience, but all things considered, you just have to have a proper Install Disc, not only to be legal, but if you need to do any Repairs or re-installs. 🙂
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User profile for user: roam
roam
User level: Level 6
13,637 points

Oct 3, 2010 6:38 AM in response to jmahun

jmahun,

As you know, Apple make computers and the software that runs on them.
+(Microsoft is different, they just make the software.)+
This means every Mac computer has software that comes with it, and everyone who sells a Mac is obliged to pass on the software, (no matter how old) along with the machine. The software is not an add on, as with PC's.
The Mac OS disks are (figuratively) part of the hardware.

As you are new to Macs, you didn't realize this, and I am sorry your purchase has proved disappointing, but it is the seller who has let you down.
No consolation I know. But selling a Mac without the discs is like selling a car without an engine- poor analogy, but roughly imparts the idea.

If you can hang in and put this learning (eBay?) experience under your belt you'll find Macs are surprisingly good in many ways.
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Change Admnistrators Password on G3

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