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Where do I find the OS version in my MacBook Pro?

I've used PCs for 20 years, and I taught computer math and technology years before that, and for the last 15 years or so I have envied Mac users, for all the usual reasons. I have never been a fan of Microsoft, and I used to be a fan of Dell (I have two). MS has screwed me for the last time, and Dell is pushing Win 8, so I'm through with them also.


I just purchased a reconditioned MacBook Pro 13", and I love it! Howver, it came without any media or instructions. I cannot install new software, e.g.: Open Office, without an admin login. The "User" username and "all blanks" password is not accepted. The seller seems unable to help. I did receive a free upate to Mavericks, but I can't install that without an admin login.


The "Change Admin" instructions imply that I needed an OS installation disc. I assumed that Mavericks is the next version up from Snow Leopard, so I obtained a "Snow Leopard" (10.6.2) OS Install and Applications Install discs.


When I tried to install, a message came back sying I could not install Snow Leopard on this computer.


When I tried an "alternate Install," I did the shutdown, then power on, and after the startup tone, pressed and held down the "C" key ... and the computer shut down again!


Question 1: What OS do have?


Question 2: How do I reset an admin login?


Thanks,


Headhunter

MacBook Pro

Posted on Apr 15, 2014 1:55 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Apr 15, 2014 2:00 PM

Select About This Mac from the Apple menu.


What about an admin login do you wish to change?

8 replies

Apr 15, 2014 2:18 PM in response to PropManager

If you have a version of Snow Leopard that will boot the computer then do this:


Clean Install of Snow Leopard


Be sure to make a backup first because the following procedure will erase

the drive and everything on it.


1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came

with your computer. Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.

After the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Release the key when you see

a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.


2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue

button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.

After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive

size.) Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window. Set the number of

partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button

and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended

(Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply button.


3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed

with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.


4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup

Assistant. Be sure you configure your initial admin account with the exact same

username and password that you used on your old drive. After you finish Setup

Assistant will complete the installation after which you will be running a fresh

install of OS X. You can now begin the update process by opening Software

Update and installing all recommended updates to bring your installation current.


Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

Apr 15, 2014 2:22 PM in response to PropManager

Well, there is no way to know the password. A username is the name of the account's folder located in /Users/ folder. A new password can be assigned:


Forgot Your Account Password


For Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks


Boot to the Recovery HD:


Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.


When the menubar appears select Terminal from the Utilities menu.

Enter resetpassword at the prompt and press RETURN. Follow

instructions in the dialog window that will appear.


Or see:


Reset a Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Password

OS X Mountain Lion- Reset a login password,

OS X Mavericks- Solve password problems,

OS X Lion- Apple ID can be used to reset your user account password.


For Snow Leopard and earlier with installer DVD


Mac OS X 10.6- If you forget your administrator password,

OS X- Changing or resetting an account password (Snow Leopard and earlier).


For Snow Leopard and earlier without installer DVD


How to reset your Mac OS X password without an installer disc | MacYourself

Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD — Tech News and Analysis

How To Create A New Administrator Account - Hack Mac

Where do I find the OS version in my MacBook Pro?

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