HT1767: iMac G5: How to Reset the SMU

Learn about iMac G5: How to Reset the SMU
Paul7770
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: iMac G5 w/ Mac OS X ~ 10.5.7

How do I reset the admin password without the startup disc?  My dad just gave me this old gem but it has not been updated in years.  He cannot remember the password and he no longer has the startup disc!  Please help!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Mar 31, 2012 3:25 PM

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Paul7770

Q: iMac G5 w/ Mac OS X ~ 10.5.7

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  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Mar 31, 2012 4:04 PM in response to Paul7770
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Mar 31, 2012 4:04 PM in response to Paul7770

    No iMac G5 came with 10.5.7.  The last operating system to ship new with an iMac G5 was 10.4.3, and those machines could all use the 10.4.6, 10.5, 10.5.1, 10.5.4, or 10.5.6 retail installer discs to reset their password.  Be sure to properly identify the Mac.    Read the EMC# from under the food, and read this article to see if it is really a G5 or an Intel:

     

    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301724

    Knowing its age you can find the correct installer disc for it.  No G5 Mac is an Intel, and no Intel is a G5.  They look identical on the outside in the generation that they transitioned from G5 to Intel, but they are different.   Macs can only run the operating system that shipped with them and newer up to the limit of their hardware.  G5s maxed at 10.5.8.  Intel Core Duos maxed at 10.6.8.  Intel Core2Duos max at 10.7.3.