needing user and password for an iMac Jaguar

Do you have any install discs?

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 😉

If the machine is running some version of OS 9, and the password request appears after the system has partially has loaded, it is a Multiple Users password.

This can be defeated. You will need a bootable CD in order to do that. Idally this would be an OS 9 Install CD valid for that model, but can also be a bootable utility disk such as one for DiskWarrior or TechTool.

Boot the machine to the CD - with the disk in the drive, restart or boot and immediately press the C key, keep it held down until the machine has booted to the CD. If the iMac is a tray-loader (rather than a slot loader), here's how to get the tray open:

Start up the machine, immediately press the Option key, keep it held down. This will bring up Startup Manager, a bright blue screen with a few icons on it. Once that has loaded, pres the key combo Command-. (Command-periodkey) - this will open the tray. Insert the CD, close the tray, then click the circular arrow (Rescan). In a short while an icon representing the CD should appear on the screen. Click it to select it, then click the straight arrow.

Once the machine has booted to the CD, open the hard drive icon, System Folder on the hard drive, locate and open the Preferences folder, then locate the file named Multi-User Prefs and drag it into the Trash. Empty the Trash.

Then do a normal restart. All Multiple User accounts and passwprd requests should have vanished, and it should load right up.