katiegracefmusic
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: No OS X Disc, Can't get into Single-User Mode

My really old desktop Mac (Around 15 years old) has a password on it and I can't figure it out...I have tried control (command) + S and it didn't let me in and I have no idea where the OS X Disc is...there is nothing special on it, so wiping the disc would be okay...Please help!!!

Thanks!

 

P.S. I don't know the model of it, it's just very old...

Posted on Jun 13, 2015 12:05 PM

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katiegracefmusic

Q: No OS X Disc, Can't get into Single-User Mode

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  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jun 14, 2015 5:34 PM in response to katiegracefmusic
    Level 9 (66,899 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jun 14, 2015 5:34 PM in response to katiegracefmusic

    You can usually look under the Mac or on its rear to determine what it is

     

    iMacs were typically an old style TV like display with ports on the side, unless they were white with a large CD tray the same color, in which case you have an eMac.

     

    iBooks and Powerbooks were clearly labelled under the display.

     

    Silvery or graphite color computer towers were PowerMac G4s.    A cube shaped version of it sitting in a transparent stand was known as the PowerMac G4 Cube.    

     

    Use this tip to identify your Mac:

     

    How to find your Mac's model and age?

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jun 14, 2015 5:35 PM in response to a brody
    Level 9 (66,899 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jun 14, 2015 5:35 PM in response to a brody

    There was also an iMac that was a white dome with a silver articulating arm that held an LCD up.  That was known as an iMac G4.  It is a little less than 15 years old.

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jun 14, 2015 6:25 PM in response to katiegracefmusic
    Level 5 (7,813 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 14, 2015 6:25 PM in response to katiegracefmusic

    What is your overall aim?

     

    You can erase the disk by using a Linux distribution if you have no OS X CD/ DVD. If you want to get to a working OS you would have to find an OS to install onto it. Ubuntu is a free OS's that can run on older PowerPC hardware however you may not want to install that.

     

    Another option is to delete a file in single user mode to cause the OS to run through setup again (no data is lost) - that allows you to create a new admin user which will have the power to login & potentially access/ reset the old account password(s).

     

    it would also help if you could clarify what OS you think is installed, hopefully it has OS X on it & not OS 9?

     

    Please clarify so I can post the relevant info.