I bought a use macbook Lion os-x 10.7.5 software. My apple id and password don't work because the previous owners password is still in there. I have tried to get to the Disc Utility by restarting and holding the control, alt/option and r keys but it just starts up to the normal screen. No disc utility. Any suggestions?
thanks, carl s
The key combination for Recovery is Command (Apple) R; not control, alt/option and r keys.
Adding Option will start Internet Recovery, if available on your machine, subject to having a suitable internet connection.
THanks Andy. Will give it a try. Carl
Hi Andy, thanks for the advice. Have been away from MacBook for a week. Today I did, several times, the restart-command-r. Just came up with the normal start routine. Is the command key the apple logo with the rounded corner square? If so thats what I used with the lower case r. No result. Maybe I will use this computer just for periferal stuff. Darn! Thanks Carl S
If you are waiting for the start of the chime, then holding Command & R; try the same with Command Option & R or failing that, just Option.
Hi Andy, Tried all that again and no luck. It did start to a Macintosh HD screen though when I started with an option key only. Can I get to a disc clean from there? Thanks, Carl S
If you started holding the Option key, and only saw Macintosh HD rather than that and Recovery, then it seems that Recovery is missing or damaged on your computer. Some models of MacBook will start in Internet Recovery if you use Command Option R; although it seems that yours is not suitable.
If you are able to start in Single User mode (hold Command & S at the chime), then you may be able to follow the steps below to change the password. Print them out first, & make sure that you know the name of the user that you wish to change. This won't alter the AppleID name & password that were used to install previous software, so you may still need to erase & (re)install yourself; starting with the relevant install DVD(s) which are usually available from Apple for around $20, if you call with the serial number.
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Start in Single User mode & wait for the :/ root# prompt to appear
type mount -uw / then press enter (the slash is important)
again, wait for the :/ root# prompt
type passwd username
then press enter (swapping 'username' for the name you need to change the password for)
You should see
:/ root# passwd username
Changing password for username
New password:
You now type a password, which won't be shown onscreen, then press enter
then you should see
Retype new password:
type the same new password again, then press enter.
wait for the :/ root# prompt, then type reboot & press enter
Thanks again Andy. After I type in mount (space)-uw I get mount illegal option -- / then usage mount special mode Mount[-adfruvw] . Mount special | node
:/ root#. Then I type in passwd username and enter and the message passwd: the daemon encountered an error processing request. Should I have spelled passwd differently?
Thx carl s
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Oh and Andy. I did put / after the mount -uw/
Carl S
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Did you include the space after -uw & before the / ?
No I didn't. Will give that a try. Thx
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Andy, same issue. After the :/ root# appears (after I have typed in mount -uw / and entered it ) I type in the passwd carlflug and enter. Message comes up "the daemon ecountered an error processing request :/ root #. I took the username from the settings selection of users and that was the only one except guest. Is it possible that I am using the wrong username? Thx Carl s
Carl : I'm sorry, but I made a mistake & left out a line which is required in Lion & later.
After the mount command has completed, you need to use this one, before the passwd command
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.opendirectoryd.plist
Heeheeeheee. Thanks Andy. That worked. Carl a
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Splendid. I tried to keep the commands to a minimum, overlooking the extra step required after Snow Leopard.
Thanks again for all the help. Cs
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I need help changing the previous owners id and password
