Can I reset the password on OS X 10.4.11?
Hi I’m not sure if I can reset the password on this Mac mini. I think I know the master password so I think I can get in.
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Try this:
• Power on or restart your Mac.
• At the chime (or grey screen if your chime is turned off), hold down Command+S on your keyboard to enter single-user mode.
• Type "sh /etc/rc" and press Enter/Return.
• Type "passwd <username>" and replace “<username>” with the short name of the user account for which you’d like to reset the password.
• Type your desired password and press Enter. It won’t show itself on the screen, so be careful what you type. You will most likely have to enter it again to confirm.
•Type "reboot" and press Enter.
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So, when I type "sh /etc/rc" I get a bunch more lines of text as the computer does some things, then it goes to a blue screen with the mouse, and freezes. No chance to enter the passwd command. No further information. The iMac keeps spitting out my Tiger install DVDs too. :(
I had this same issue, but after typing "sh /etc/rc" and pressing return I was able to complete the rest of the commands during pauses in the lines of text before the blue screen loaded. Was able to reset the admin password on an old iBook G4 using this method. Hope it helps someone!
How long does the password have to be it tells me to put a new password but after I retype it it says sorry
What if I do not remember my username? its an old mac laptop that i have not touched in over 5 years.
Similar issue on a gifted G5 with the old user still installed. Unable to make modifications without the password. My suggestion is to wait for a pause in the text populating, then type in the passwd username fairly quickly. It took me a few tries before I was able to not be interrupted by text. Also, I would hit enter, first to get a clear prompt, then type in the command. Thanks for this!
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Boot from your original system installation disk. Go to the second page of the install when the pull down menu appears. Go to Utilities > Change Password and do it.
This utility can also be found on the 10.5 retail DVD.
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