Can't remember my Admin password on iMac 10.5.8

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Level 1

10 points

Can't remember my Admin password on iMac 10.5.8

Hi everyone. I am running into a major issue. I cannot remember my iMac admin password (10.5.8) and I have tried everything that was suggested on this website along with multiple other sites.

When I startup my iMac it automatically logs onto my admin desktop (no password, etc.) I want to install something and I cannot make changes to my account because I can't remember my password. I have tried rebooting with command + S and whenever I enter in the commands, I either get error messages or am told the commands are not recognized. Any advice would be really appreciated. I do not have the original CDs. I am able to log onto a Standard and Guest account- just can't install anything because they're not the Admin account.

Driving myself crazy. Please help!

iMac (24-inch Early 2008), 10.5.8

Posted on Dec 28, 2014 9:55 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 28, 2014 10:05 AM in response to Megb4387

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