You're pretty much boned. I've run into this a couple of times with used computers, there's nothing you can do. The disk that came with your computer won't work in a different computer. You need the disk that came with that computer or a retail version of the disk.

You can call Apple, give them the serial number of the computer and they'll send you disks that will work. They cost around $30

[quote|marcucco]You're pretty much boned. I've run into this a couple of times with used computers, there's nothing you can do. The disk that came with your computer won't work in a different computer. You need the disk that came with that computer or a retail version of the disk. You can call Apple, give them the serial number of the computer and they'll send you disks that will work. They cost around $30[/quote]

With apologies, the previous poster is definitely incorrect. Mac OS install discs work with any supported computer, and I've reset passwords on systems numerous times with earlier (and a few times, with newer) system software.

The *actual* reason is very simple: Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5) cannot boot a G3! Its minimum requirement is a 867 mHz G4 or higher. All you need to do is get a 10.4 install disc - from *any* Mac - and boot from that.

Also, does the G3 even have a DVD drive? If not, of course 10.5 or 10.4 (supplied on DVD) will not work, as they cannot even be read by the drive. It is very rare, but it's possible to find an early version of 10.4 on CD though.

Last, Apple is very unlikely to have restore discs for anything that old. As an ASP (Apple sales rep) at a major nationwide retailer, I've had trouble obtaining restore discs for anything over two years old, and a G3... well, you do the math.

I hope this correct information helps.

[quote|Matt3141]With apologies, the previous poster is definitely incorrect. Mac OS install discs work with any supported computer, and I've reset passwords on systems numerous times with earlier (and a few times, with newer) system software. The *actual* reason is very simple: Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5) cannot boot a G3! Its minimum requirement is a 867 mHz G4 or higher. All you need to do is get a 10.4 install disc - from *any* Mac - and boot from that. Also, does the G3 even have a DVD drive? If not, of course 10.5 or 10.4 (supplied on DVD) will not work, as they cannot even be read by the drive. It is very rare, but it's possible to find an early version of 10.4 on CD though. Last, Apple is very unlikely to have restore discs for anything that old. As an ASP (Apple sales rep) at a major nationwide retailer, I've had trouble obtaining restore discs for anything over two years old, and a G3... well, you do the math. I hope this correct information helps.[/quote]

Hi Matt,

I appreciate the polite way you put that, but I'm 100% sure I'm correct.

You can not replace the OS with the disks that came with a different computer.

If you don't believe me, Google anything that relates to "Can not load from OSX disk" and you'll see I'm correct.

You CAN boot from a "retail" copy of the disk, which I suspect is what you have done in the past.

(your disk is black, not gray right?)

You can't even load (for instance), an iBook 1.3GHz with the disks that came with a 1.2 iBook disk, (or vise versa) even tho they're both G4s that ran 10.4.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Discuss/thre...

http://www.ifixit.com/Discuss/thread/447...

I researched the snot out of this issue everywhere, not just here. The disks are protected.

Again, I appreciate the way you phrased your response. But you're mistaken, it can't be done and so far nobody's found a way around it.

If you HAVE found a way to get one computer to load the OS from the start-up disks from another I suggest you publish it. You're going to be one VERY popular guy

...and I'll be the first to say thanks!

Apple does. in fact. supply replacement disks for older models. All you have to do is call. They're replacement disks (you have to supply a valid serial number) which is why you don't have to pay the full retail price of OSX.whatever-came-with.

You can call them yourself if you don't believe me.

[quote|marcucco]Hi Matt, I appreciate the polite way you put that, but I'm 100% sure I'm correct. You can not replace the OS with the disks that came with a different computer. If you don't believe me, Google anything that relates to "Can not load from OSX disk" and you'll see I'm correct. You CAN boot from a "retail" copy of the disk, which I suspect is what you have done in the past. (your disk is black, not gray right?) You can't even load (for instance), an iBook 1.3GHz with the disks that came with a 1.2 iBook disk, (or vise versa) even tho they're both G4s that ran 10.4. http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Discuss/thread/4417 http://www.ifixit.com/Discuss/thread/4477 I researched the snot out of this issue everywhere, not just here. The disks are protected. Again, I appreciate the way you phrased your response. But you're mistaken, it can't be done and so far nobody's found a way around it. If you HAVE found a way to get one computer to load the OS from the start-up disks from another I suggest you publish it. You're going to be one VERY popular guy ...and I'll be the first to say thanks! Apple does. in fact. supply replacement disks for older models. All you have to do is call. They're replacement disks (you have to supply a valid serial number) which is why you don't have to pay the full retail price of OSX.whatever-came-with. You can call them yourself if you don't believe me.[/quote]

Heya guys

Marcucco, I have to go with Matt on this one. CMac isn't installing a system, but just resetting a password, which just requires you to be able to boot from the installer. Also, the system disks are not protected--you *can* install from some other system's startup disk, but it's not a good idea. However, the Hardware Test won't run on any system other than the specific one it was designed for.

Other World even used to sell iBook system disks as universal installers; apparently they had all the piecesparts for any model that supported that OS (OS9? Jaguar? Panther? I forget).

Matt is also correct that the G3 won't be able to boot from that Leopard installer. CMac needs to find a Panther or Tiger disk, probably a CD instead of a DVD.

Marcucco, after reading your two referenced threads, your problem with the iBooks appears to have been finding the command in DU to reformat. But you *did* manage to boot one of them from the other's installer disk, and from that point (to change the password) you would just look in the menus for a "change password" command.

[quote|colleenthompson]Heya guys Marcucco, I have to go with Matt on this one. CMac isn't installing a system, but just resetting a password, which just requires you to be able to boot from the installer. Also, the system disks are not protected--you *can* install from some other system's startup disk, but it's not a good idea. However, the Hardware Test won't run on any system other than the specific one it was designed for. Other World even used to sell iBook system disks as universal installers; apparently they had all the piecesparts for any model that supported that OS (OS9? Jaguar? Panther? I forget). Matt is also correct that the G3 won't be able to boot from that Leopard installer. CMac needs to find a Panther or Tiger disk, probably a CD instead of a DVD. Marcucco, after reading your two referenced threads, your problem with the iBooks appears to have been finding the command in DU to reformat. But you *did* manage to boot one of them from the other's installer disk, and from that point (to change the password) you would just look in the menus for a "change password" command.[/quote]

Hi Coleen.

In order to rest the password, you need to access the operating system already on the HD. Starting from a "strange" disk will not allow you to do that to do that. The password is on the Hard Drive's OS. When you're star from a CD or DVD, you run off the OS on the disk, not the HD.

You can start start a computer from a "strange" disk and you can reformat the HD, but you cannot load a fresh copy of the OS or change the password. You must have the correct disk for that particular computer, or a retail copy or the disk.

The gray disks are protected.

You can borrow a disk and try it yourself if you don't believe me, or you can check out the innumerable threads on Apple Support.

I had fond this, which doesn't involve a start-up disk:

http://www.macyourself.com/2009/08/03/ho...-to-reset-your-mac-os-x-password-without-an-installer-disc/

It didn't work on my 800MHz G4 iBook running 10.4.11, but Cmac would have nothing to lose by trying it.

[quote|marcucco]Hi Coleen. In order to rest the password, you need to access the operating system already on the HD. Starting from a "strange" disk will not allow you to do that to do that. The password is on the Hard Drive's OS. When you're star from a CD or DVD, you run off the OS on the disk, not the HD. You can start start a computer from a "strange" disk and you can reformat the HD, but you cannot load a fresh copy of the OS or change the password. You must have the correct disk for that particular computer, or a retail copy or the disk. The gray disks are protected. You can borrow a disk and try it yourself if you don't believe me, or you can check out the innumerable threads on Apple Support. I had fond this, which doesn't involve a start-up disk: http://www.macyourself.com/2009/08/03/how-to-reset-your-mac-os-x-password-without-an-installer-disc/ It didn't work on my 800MHz G4 iBook running 10.4.11, but Cmac would have nothing to lose by trying it.[/quote]

Sorry about the typo's

[quote|marcucco]Sorry about the typo's[/quote]

If I may be blunt, "marcucco" is so completely, totally wrong that I don't even know where to start. Colleen and I are correct.

I say this as an Apple Developer since 1983, and an Apple Product Professional since 2002. I've worked in a fast-paced retail sales and support environment since 2002. I've performed password resets and HD maintenance hundreds of times with the procedure Colleen describes, which obviously directly refutes the evidently not-as-experienced or knowledgeable claims made by other posters here. End of story.

Bottom line: Find or borrow a copy of Mac OS 10.4, a.k.a.Tiger, on CD (or DVD if your machine can read DVDs), boot from it, and invoke the "Password Reset" utility. This question is resolved.

[quote|Matt3141]If I may be blunt, "marcucco" is so completely, totally wrong that I don't even know where to start. Colleen and I are correct. I say this as an Apple Developer since 1983, and an Apple Product Professional since 2002. I've worked in a fast-paced retail sales and support environment since 2002. I've performed password resets and HD maintenance hundreds of times with the procedure Colleen describes, which obviously directly refutes the evidently not-as-experienced or knowledgeable claims made by other posters here. End of story. Bottom line: Find or borrow a copy of Mac OS 10.4, a.k.a.Tiger, on CD (or DVD if your machine can read DVDs), boot from it, and invoke the "Password Reset" utility. This question is resolved.[/quote]

Marcucco, I must beg to differ on the password issue; I do this all the time. The way to reset the password is to boot to a system disk and use the Reset Password utility under the Utilities menu (exact location depends on the version of OS, but the disk you're using does not need to be the same version as the one you're changing.) Note that the startup disk CAN be from a different computer model, if it's not a retail version, but when I tried just now, I got kernel panics trying to boot a G4 mini with several different Intel startup disks, so the processor, at least, has to match (i.e. PPC or Intel.)

As for installing a system from a mismatched disk, you're correct that *some* won't work--I got a You Cannot Install Bundled Software message on several that I checked--but I'm sure I've done this in the past, and the fact that they warn you not to do so implies rather strongly that it IS possible, even if not recommended.

--Colleen, Mac consultant since 1990

[quote|colleenthompson]Marcucco, I must beg to differ on the password issue; I do this all the time. The way to reset the password is to boot to a system disk and use the Reset Password utility under the Utilities menu (exact location depends on the version of OS, but the disk you're using does not need to be the same version as the one you're changing.) Note that the startup disk CAN be from a different computer model, if it's not a retail version, but when I tried just now, I got kernel panics trying to boot a G4 mini with several different Intel startup disks, so the processor, at least, has to match (i.e. PPC or Intel.) As for installing a system from a mismatched disk, you're correct that *some* won't work--I got a You Cannot Install Bundled Software message on several that I checked--but I'm sure I've done this in the past, and the fact that they warn you not to do so implies rather strongly that it IS possible, even if not recommended. --Colleen, Mac consultant since 1990[/quote]

Okay, you're all a little right, and all a little wrong,

CMac - You cannot boot a G3 system with a leopard disc, its not a supported processor.

all - System specific discs(gray discs) will only work in the specific system they are designed for. not only can you not install the system, but as mentioned - and error message will pop the second it boots alerting you that you can not use this disc with this machine, no disc utility, no password reset - do not collect $200

System specific discs for intel are not universal binary, therefore attempting to boot a PPC machine with an intel disc will result in a Kernel Panic. however a Retail 10.5 disc will boot both PPC and intel (processor permitting - G4 867 and Up)

[quote|matthewfrey]Okay, you're all a little right, and all a little wrong, CMac - You cannot boot a G3 system with a leopard disc, its not a supported processor. all - System specific discs(gray discs) will only work in the specific system they are designed for. not only can you not install the system, but as mentioned - and error message will pop the second it boots alerting you that you can not use this disc with this machine, no disc utility, no password reset - do not collect $200 System specific discs for intel are not universal binary, therefore attempting to boot a PPC machine with an intel disc will result in a Kernel Panic. however a Retail 10.5 disc will boot both PPC and intel (processor permitting - G4 867 and Up)[/quote]

Greetings, Sunrisetech. You're a little right, and a little wrong.

After reading your message, I took a system disk from a G4 mini (from my large collection of system disks) and booted a G4 iBook with it. True, I got an alert on the second screen that said I could not install system software on this computer from this disk. However, I successfully pulled down the Utilities menu over the undismissed alert and changed the password on the iBook. I rebooted to the iBook's internal drive to double-check, and it had indeed been changed.

I welcome the opportunity this discussion has given me to refine my knowledge of bundled system disks --they're not nearly as universal as I had thought. Perhaps my habits were indeed formed back in the OS9 days. Today I carry external drives with Panther, Tiger, and Leopard retail installers cloned onto them, and a full copy of TechTool Pro, so I never need to use system disks any more except maybe to use Pacifier to get a particular bundled app back. (If you partition the drive APF it will boot both PPC and Intel machines.)

[quote|colleenthompson]Greetings, Sunrisetech. You're a little right, and a little wrong. After reading your message, I took a system disk from a G4 mini (from my large collection of system disks) and booted a G4 iBook with it. True, I got an alert on the second screen that said I could not install system software on this computer from this disk. However, I successfully pulled down the Utilities menu over the undismissed alert and changed the password on the iBook. I rebooted to the iBook's internal drive to double-check, and it had indeed been changed. I welcome the opportunity this discussion has given me to refine my knowledge of bundled system disks --they're not nearly as universal as I had thought. Perhaps my habits were indeed formed back in the OS9 days. Today I carry external drives with Panther, Tiger, and Leopard retail installers cloned onto them, and a full copy of TechTool Pro, so I never need to use system disks any more except maybe to use Pacifier to get a particular bundled app back. (If you partition the drive APF it will boot both PPC and Intel machines.)[/quote]

Hi Coleen,

I'm (and a bout a zillion other people are) curious to know what you did, step by step.

I tried to do this very thing with a used iBook I purchase and was unable to do it.

I researched the snot out of it, there are literally hundreds of posts asking CMacs question on every Mac related BB.

Your's is the first post I've seen where someone was successful.

Will it work if the computer isn't starting up in the admin's user name?

[quote|marcucco]Hi Coleen, I'm (and a bout a zillion other people are) curious to know what you did, step by step. I tried to do this very thing with a used iBook I purchase and was unable to do it. I researched the snot out of it, there are literally hundreds of posts asking CMacs question on every Mac related BB. Your's is the first post I've seen where someone was successful. Will it work if the computer isn't starting up in the admin's user name?[/quote]

I meant APM, APF is a typo.

1. Insert system CD or DVD and boot holding down the C key to boot to the Mac OS X Installer.

2. The first screen will ask what language. Choose English and click Continue (or whatever it is.)

3. Next screen...if you have a mismatched Installer you'll get the message that you can't install on this hardware. Ignore that error message--but DON'T dismiss it, or the computer will reboot.

4. Pull down the Utilities menu (or, in a Leopard installer, I think it's the Apple menu--going from memory here.)

5. Choose Disk Utility if it's reformatting you're after. Or the password utility if that's your goal.

From there, you follow the bouncing ball.

I'm on the road for the next couple days so it'll take a little while to respond if you need clarification.

[quote|colleenthompson]I meant APM, APF is a typo. 1. Insert system CD or DVD and boot holding down the C key to boot to the Mac OS X Installer. 2. The first screen will ask what language. Choose English and click Continue (or whatever it is.) 3. Next screen...if you have a mismatched Installer you'll get the message that you can't install on this hardware. Ignore that error message--but DON'T dismiss it, or the computer will reboot. 4. Pull down the Utilities menu (or, in a Leopard installer, I think it's the Apple menu--going from memory here.) 5. Choose Disk Utility if it's reformatting you're after. Or the password utility if that's your goal. From there, you follow the bouncing ball. I'm on the road for the next couple days so it'll take a little while to respond if you need clarification.[/quote]

Hi Everyone thx for all your help, however I did manage to fix this issue on my own about a week ago. It is not the most legit way, however if one were to download the torrent for 1st disc of Tiger(or all discs if necessary), burn the disc(s) CORRECTLY (ISO images) then this works/worked perfectly. Just throwing it out there for anyone with the same/similar problem. Thanks again Everyone!!

~CMAC

[quote|CMac]Hi Everyone thx for all your help, however I did manage to fix this issue on my own about a week ago. It is not the most legit way, however if one were to download the torrent for 1st disc of Tiger(or all discs if necessary), burn the disc(s) CORRECTLY (ISO images) then this works/worked perfectly. Just throwing it out there for anyone with the same/similar problem. Thanks again Everyone!! ~CMAC[/quote]

You can do this instead of using the DVD, first boot into single user mode (Cmd+S) hold once you hear the chime, until you see lines of scrolling code, then type "fsck -y" then type "mount -uw /" then, type "rm /ver/db/.AppleSetupDone" These 3 commands will reset mac OS X all user accounts will be deleted, but all files(even those of the original user accounts will be accessable in finder under ~/) if your computer won't boot into Single User Mode, you may have open firmware password, reset this by clearing the PRAM, this should help you break into mac os.

[quote|Chris Green]You can do this instead of using the DVD, first boot into single user mode (Cmd+S) hold once you hear the chime, until you see lines of scrolling code, then type "fsck -y" then type "mount -uw /" then, type "rm /ver/db/.AppleSetupDone" These 3 commands will reset mac OS X all user accounts will be deleted, but all files(even those of the original user accounts will be accessable in finder under ~/) if your computer won't boot into Single User Mode, you may have open firmware password, reset this by clearing the PRAM, this should help you break into mac os.[/quote]

Quote from Chris Green:

You can do this instead of using the DVD, first boot into single user mode (Cmd+S) hold once you hear the chime, until you see lines of scrolling code, then type "fsck -y" then type "mount -uw /" then, type "rm /ver/db/.AppleSetupDone" These 3 commands will reset mac OS X all user accounts will be deleted, but all files(even those of the original user accounts will be accessable in finder under ~/) if your computer won't boot into Single User Mode, you may have open firmware password, reset this by clearing the PRAM, this should help you break into mac os.

Sorry, it's "rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone"

[quote|Chris Green]Sorry, it's "rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone"[/quote]

Chris, that's a good way to reset a system back to a fresh install after doing updates and installing other apps you might need, but hardly the right thing for resetting a password. Colleen was dead on. Any disk that has a version of the OS that will boot the computer can be used for this task, just not for installing the OS itself.

I always toss the disks that come with the system new as I always have retail disks and my other tools available, plus a hard drive like Colleen has with tools on it. For most people, keep the disks you get with your system, or buy a retail set for situations like this.

[quote|Sarabian]Chris, that's a good way to reset a system back to a fresh install after doing updates and installing other apps you might need, but hardly the right thing for resetting a password. Colleen was dead on. Any disk that has a version of the OS that will boot the computer can be used for this task, just not for installing the OS itself. I always toss the disks that come with the system new as I always have retail disks and my other tools available, plus a hard drive like Colleen has with tools on it. For most people, keep the disks you get with your system, or buy a retail set for situations like this.[/quote]