Michelle Elwazir
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: iMac won't recognize administrator password- please help

My computer all of a sudden does not recognize my administrator password.  Oddly enough when the computer goes to sleep and I try to log back on, the password is rejected but if I click on my icon it will let me in.  However, I am unable to change any thing due to the password issue. Is there a way to fix this?

 

Thank you!

G5, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Sep 9, 2015 6:32 PM

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Michelle Elwazir

Q: iMac won't recognize administrator password- please help

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Sep 9, 2015 6:39 PM in response to Michelle Elwazir
    Level 10 (123,860 points)
    Sep 9, 2015 6:39 PM in response to Michelle Elwazir

    Could be many things, we should start with this...

     

    "Try Disk Utility

     

    1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.

    2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)

    *Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*

    3. Click the First Aid tab.

    4. Select your Mac OS X volume.

    5. Click Repair Disk, (not Repair Permissions). Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."

     

    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

     

    Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.

     

    (Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive & clear caches.)

     

    If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.

  • by Michelle Elwazir,

    Michelle Elwazir Michelle Elwazir Sep 9, 2015 6:53 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 9, 2015 6:53 PM in response to BDAqua

    Hello,

    thank you for your response.  I have two install discs.....Disc 1 & Disc 2.  I assume I insert Disc 1 correct?

    This is a 2011 iMac currently running OS X 10.9.5.  When I insert the disk and follow the instructions you provided, it will leave the rest of the computer alone?

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Sep 10, 2015 9:50 AM in response to Michelle Elwazir
    Level 10 (123,860 points)
    Sep 10, 2015 9:50 AM in response to Michelle Elwazir

    Hmmm, the Install Discs must be 10.6.x or older, not sure what to do there.

     

    Reset Password 10.7, 10.8, 10.9...

     

    http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20087723-263/how-to-run-the-password-reset- utility-in-os-x-10.7-lion/

     

    Then Reset your Keychain...

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1544