Loaded Question about Internet and Passwords

When you got the Mac did you get the install DVD with it?

Allan

It's Mac.

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Query by serial number

Apple's warrenty database will identify the type of Mac you have. Your serial number is securely sent, but you get only the name of your machine.

https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

This site provides more information, but lacks security.

"A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"

http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

or

This site provides more information, but lacks security too.

"A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"

http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

( hint by K Shaffer )

No. Don't install. There is a password reset option.

Change Password

Mac OS X:

Changing or resetting an account password via GUI:

Resetting a user's password

Resetting the original administrator account password

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106156

The install DVD issued with a Mac is generally grey in color and comes in a small white envelope like package with a gray apple logo on the outside. Once you have found the DVD you can erase and reinstall from the DVD.

Allan

Well, there is always another way. 'cause it's Unix.

Get the Mac to set up an additional administrative account. You can then change the password on your old account.

Start with your computer power off. Hold down command-s. Power on your computer.

Type in the following:

The first two commands will depend on your release of Mac OS X. Look at what is typed out in the console to determine the exact format.

# Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write. Press return after each command.

/sbin/fsck -fy

/sbin/mount -uw /

cd /var/db

pwd

#List all files. The l is a lower case L.

ls -a

#The move command acts as a rename command in this format.

mv -i .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old

reboot

Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!

Limnos adds detailed explainations:

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8441597#8441597

The above the idea came from a post by JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM

http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_do_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_root_password.html

You will need to scroll down to see this post. Search for applesetupdone

This method is mentioned in an apple support page without giving an explanation.

Once you have a new administrative account, you can change the password of your old administrative account

blue apple > System Preferences > Accounts

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-- You can see that it is easy to change your administrator password. You can set a firmware password that you enter before your machine will boot.

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

-- For the best data security, you should use FileVault. Create a good logon password. Define and use a good backup plan. I do not recommend using FileVault unless you really need the security because it is much harder to recover your data should you have a harddrive problem and you do not have your data backed up. data should you have a harddrive problem and you do not have your data backed up.

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Here is how to change the password from the install dvd/cd

How to run reset password from your startup DVD.

1. Insert your startup DVD into your reader. Power down your machine. Hold down to the c key. Power on your machine. This will bootup your startup DVD.
2. This will bring you to a panel asking you for your language. Pick your language.

3. 

4. 
   

5. You you come to the Install Mac OS panel. Do not install.
6. Click on Utilities menu item. This will give you a pulldown list of utilities.
7. Click on Reset Password.