mzzlaw

Q: Password Issues

I have an older MacBook Pro and I have forgotten my password?  Can it be recovered or reset?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Feb 21, 2016 2:58 PM

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Q: Password Issues

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  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Feb 21, 2016 4:32 PM in response to mzzlaw
    Level 8 (48,913 points)
    Feb 21, 2016 4:32 PM in response to mzzlaw

    Resetting or changing a password:

     

    For Snow Leopard or earlier:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274

     

    If it's running Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, insert a Mac OS X install DVD, restart with the Option key held down, click on it, and use the Reset Password utility.

  • by mzzlaw,

    mzzlaw mzzlaw Feb 21, 2016 5:22 PM in response to mzzlaw
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 21, 2016 5:22 PM in response to mzzlaw

    I don't use my MacBook often so I cannot remember my initial password and when I try and reset it, the "hint" on the master password I cannot remember either.  I youtube it and tried doing the control R and control S method and it prompts me back to enter my initial password or master password - and I don't know either one.

  • by mzzlaw,

    mzzlaw mzzlaw Feb 21, 2016 5:26 PM in response to mzzlaw
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 21, 2016 5:26 PM in response to mzzlaw

    I tried the 2nd option w/the start up disc and when I held down the Option key, it eventually ejected the CD

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Feb 22, 2016 1:57 AM in response to mzzlaw
    Level 8 (48,913 points)
    Feb 22, 2016 1:57 AM in response to mzzlaw

    Try this:

     

    Reset 10.5 Leopard & 10.6 Snow Leopard password

      1. Power on or restart your Mac.

      2. At the chime (or grey screen if your chime is turned off), hold down Command+S on your keyboard to enter single-user mode.

      3. This step is optional, but it’s a good idea because it checks the consistency of the hard disk before moving on. At the prompt, type fsck -fy and press Enter/Return. Wait for the checks to complete before going to the next step.

      4. Type mount -uw / and press Enter.

      5. Type launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plistand press Enter.

      6. Type ls /Users and press Enter. This lists all of the usernames on the computer – helpful if you don’t know or remember what these are.

      7. Type dscl . -passwd /Users/username password and replace “username” with one of the users displayed in the previous step. Replace “password” with a new password of your choice. Press Enter.

      8. Type reboot and press Enter.