How do I reset administrator password for OS X 10.9.5

Question

How do I reset administrator password for OS X 10.9.5

I have an old iMac (c. 2009). I purchased Mac OS X Snow Leopard in 2012. I have the disc. I also at some point upgraded (paid for?) the operating system and must have downloaded it. I have no disc. I have OS X 10.9.5 (13F34). I apparently set up my computer to open automatically with no log in. And it does. Problem is that I want to install a program I downloaded and I am asked for my administrator password. It apparently is NOT what I have written down. So I would like to re-set it. I have done some research but can't figure out how to do this. I do have my apple ID and password. And I have the Snow Leopard Installation Disc as well as the original (2009) iMac OS X Install DVD. How do I proceed?

iMac (20-inch Early 2009), OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Feb 27, 2015 2:15 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Feb 27, 2015 2:32 PM in response to hannahfromarlington

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