[SavvySpirit]

I'm so sorry if this is in the wrong place!! I couldn't find anywhere else to ask, and I'm not even sure if anyone on here will know the answer to my question... but it's Sunday and all the good computer places are closed, and I'd really like this solved tonight.

Anyway, about a month ago I brought my Mac in to get it fixed. They ended up completely putting on a new system program, so I pretty much got a brand new computer. But it has passwords on it that won't allow me to do admin things like install programs, create other accounts, things like that. I tried every single password that I had on the computer before it died and nothing has worked. I would be shocked if they put a password and didn't tell me! So my big question is: Does anyone out there know if there's a way that I can get in and change the passwords or take them off without knowing the old one? I'm so stuck!! Thanks everyone, and again, sorry if this post is in the wrong place!!

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by SavvySpirit

I'm so sorry if this is in the wrong place!! I couldn't find anywhere else to ask, and I'm not even sure if anyone on here will know the answer to my question... but it's Sunday and all the good computer places are closed, and I'd really like this solved tonight.

Anyway, about a month ago I brought my Mac in to get it fixed. They ended up completely putting on a new system program, so I pretty much got a brand new computer. But it has passwords on it that won't allow me to do admin things like install programs, create other accounts, things like that. I tried every single password that I had on the computer before it died and nothing has worked. I would be shocked if they put a password and didn't tell me! So my big question is: Does anyone out there know if there's a way that I can get in and change the passwords or take them off without knowing the old one? I'm so stuck!! Thanks everyone, and again, sorry if this post is in the wrong place!!

the only advice I have would be call the place that did the work for you and tell them your problem. they will walk you through the new system program, how it works, and how to delete any passwords they did and add your own passwords and adding new accounts and new programs to it.

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by SavvySpirit

about a month ago I brought my Mac in to get it fixed. They ended up completely putting on a new system program, so I pretty much got a brand new computer. But it has passwords on it that won't allow me to do admin things like install programs, create other accounts, things like that.

Do you have a System disk? If you boot from that (hold down the C key while booting, or the Option key) with the System DVD in its drive -- I am not sure what you do next, but I think you go to one of the Menues and maybe launch Disk Utility instead of Install. It will allow you to choose a new administrator password.

If this is insufficient help I can try to research it for you, or you could go to... never mind. I went to Apple's Web site and got these instructions for 10.4, and I doubt if they have changed since then:

To reset the administrator password using the Mac OS X disc:

1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc and restart the computer.
2. When you hear the startup tone, hold down the C key until you see the spinning gear.
3. When the Installer appears, choose Utilities > Reset Password.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to change the password.
5. Quit the Installer and restart your computer while holding down the mouse button to eject the disc.