I have just received an old imac from a friend, and when i try to change the admin's account information, it does not appear. I would like to change the admin's username and password if possible. This is the first apple computer i have ever owned so please bare with me. I am currently running OS X 10.4.11. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)
You really don't want to change any username.
Make a new Admin for yourself.
Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD...
http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/
Admin Hack...
http://www.hackmac.org/?q=node/4
Starts up like the first time you buy a new Mac, but after filling in all that info again, you should have access to the computer and the other Users & files will still be there... give the new User a different name than an existing one.
Okay, so i followed the direction on the second link you gave me, and halfway through the set up (step 6) the set up window goes completely white with a gray bar across the center. So i no longer can even use the computer 😕. I rebooted the computer twice and the same thing happened each time.
Sounds like Disk corruption for sure...
Tough without the Install disc, but some things to try...
Does it boot to Single User Mode, CMD+s keys at bootup, if so try...
/sbin/fsck -fy
Repeat until it shows no errors fixed.
(Space between fsck AND -fy imoprtant).
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck...
I ran everything as you said, and after it finished it said, "the volume 000 ..vbqqbm. Appears to be OK"
I then rebooted the system and went through the set up process again, and it still got stuck at the same spot.
Would my best bet be buying an updated OS X? And if so, which should i get?
We need more info to see if it'll run a newer version of OSX.
If you don't know the model, find the Serial# & use it on one of these sites, but don't post the Serial# here...
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php
How to find the serial number of your Apple hardware product...
Alright, so i've found i have an early 2006 imac 17-inch. It says the maximum OS is Mac OS 10.6.8 Snow Leopard. The recommended OS is Mac OS 10.5.8 Leopard. I'm assuming i should purchase the disc for 10.5.8 Leopard? Thank you so much for all of the help.
So, you have an Intel iMac. You can bypass Leopard ($200 from Amazon) and go straight to Snow Leopard.
Requirements for OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard'
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP575
The OS 10.6 Snow Leopard install DVD is available for $19.99 from the Apple Store:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
and in the UK:
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
but nobody knows for how long it will be available.
When you have installed it, run Software Update to download and install the latest updates for Snow Leopard to bring it up to 10.6.8, or download the combo update from here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399
Check via Software Update whether further updates are required.
Yes, depends a bit on how much RAM you have, 10.5 will be a bit faster, 10.6 a lot newer...
Leopard requirements/10.5.x...
* Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
minimum system requirements
* 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)
* DVD drive for installation
* 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
Classic/OS9 Apps no longer supported.
May be available from Apple again...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0
Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5
List of Applications Not Compatible with Leopard...
http://guides.macrumors.com/List:Applications_Not_Compatible_with_Leopard
Snow Leopard/10.6.x Requirements...
General requirements
* Mac computer with an Intel processor
* 1GB of memory (I say 4GB at least, more if you can afford it)
* 5GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
* DVD drive for installation
* Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.
* Some features require Apple’s MobileMe service; fees and terms apply.
Which apps work with Mac OS X 10.6?...
http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/
It's been pulled from the online store & Apple Stores, so you have to call Apple to buy it, last I heard.
Buy Snow Leopard > http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
Call Apple Sales...in the US: 1-800-MY-APPLE. Or Support... 1-800-275-2273
Other countries...
As of now it has 150gb free disc space and 512mb memory. I'm most likely going to just upgrade to leopard. Do you think it will be able to handle this without adding more memory?
It can be done, but it's easy to add memory...
http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?sort=pop&model=241&type=Memory
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/imac_intel_white_mem/
No accounts shown in system preferences?
