how to reset mac powerbook g4 loginpassword

Here's the instructions if you have the discs.

Mac OS X: Changing or resetting an account password

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274?viewlocale=en_US

Changing your administrator password

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh655.html

Here's one method to reset the password without the install disc:

1. boot computer and hold the "apple" key and the "s" key.

2. wait for terminal show

3. release keys

4. type without the quotes: "/sbin/mount -uaw"

5. press enter

6. type without the quotes: "rm /var/db/.applesetupdone

7. press enter

8. type without the quotes: "reboot"

9. press enter

This will let you create a new admin account when you reboot your computer.

Also, without the discs, look at Mac OS X Tip - No Password, No Root, No CD? No Problem.

http://www.macobserver.com/tip/2003/06/16.1.shtml

Here is a way to get around not knowing the admin password on Macs.

To reset your OS X password without an OS X CD you need to enter terminal and create a new admin account:

1. Reboot

2. Hold apple + s down after you hear the chime.

3. When you get text prompt enter in these terminal commands to create a brand new admin account (hitting return after each line):

* mount -uw /

* rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

* shutdown -h now

4. After rebooting you should have a brand new admin account. When you login as the new admin you can simply delete the old one and you’re good to go again!

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Fantastic! You totally solved account problem on an ancient G4 that was locked due to forgotten password.

Thank you very much! And I felt like a private investigator, typing secret code 🙂

Thank you! This worked very well! I can finally figure out how the prehistoric thing works now...

I tried this and it didn't work for me. I purchased this computer from a friend and I shut it down to let it charge and once I powered it on it was asking for a name and password that neither of us set..... Please, any suggestions???

Name & password that your friend did not set is impossible. Where did your "friend" get this Mac?

It was her sisters before she left for college, her sister got a new one so she got her old one.