iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

Hi Guys,

i have a couple of iBooks that i got ex-school but the snag is they have administration passwords on some of the system preferences. 10.4.11 is the OS on the laptops
Can't access date and time to re-set, admin and student accounts on the desktop
I did not get any discs with them.
They are are loaded with great programmes ,art, educational and Word etc.

Discs i have are ,10.2.1 & 10.3.
10.2.1doesnot support Word etc.
I re-installed with 10.3 on one laptop and it all works beautifully but i noticed the Disc Utility does not work very quickly and does not seem right.

Does this matter?

I am trying to get the install disc but being in the country makes it hard , none on ebay at present.

Any ideas?

Regards
Laura

Is there any way

Reply 1 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

If you boot the install DVD, right after selecting a language, in the Utility menu there's a password reset program. I won't guarantee that a 10.2 or 10.3 disc will reset the password on 10.4, but it would be worth a shot if you ask me. This is assuming the person who sold you the laptops doesn't know the password.

And just FYI, whomever sold you those laptops really should have wiped the drive, because the license for any commercial programs will likely be for the school, not you. So, technically speaking, those are all pirated programs.

Reply 2 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

Hi,

"If you boot the install DVD, right after selecting a language, in the Utility menu there's a password reset program."

This was what i did .

I read that once you have done this , got to this point you can stop the install and it is all fixed and you preserve the earlier OS, which in my case is the later version?

What do you think?
You done this ?


Laura

Reply 3 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

Before that. You don't even need to go past the first screen. Once the menu bar appears at the top, you can then load the password reset program from the utilities menu.

Now, like I said, it may or may not work on a newer version of the OS. It's at least worth a try assuming you can't get the password out of the person that sold you the things in the first place.

Reply 4 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

that is what happens after you have finished running the Password Reset utility and Quit the installer.

The machine reboots and off you go

P

Reply 5 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

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

This way you can keep Tiger.

Reply 6 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

lose Tiger if she used the install DVD?

P

Reply 7 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

but she doesn't have an install disk for 10.4. She only has install disk for 10.2 and 10.3, and if she uses either of these, she will not have Tiger anymore.

Reply 8 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

which does not involve running the installer all the way through.

The Password Reset utility appears before the install dialog starts

P

Reply 9 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

Curse you and your efficiency for beating me by mere seconds! :P

Reply 10 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

Only if she used them to install the OS, not merely reset the admin password.

Reply 11 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

I'm always learning.

Reply 12 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

"which does not involve running the installer all the way through."

What is the best way to stop the process?

Just turn-off??


Laura

Reply 13 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

you will find the Quit Installer option.

P

Reply 14 : iBook re-install, to delete admin passwords ?

Turning it off also works, since you're not really using the internal drive while booted off of the install DVD, there's less chance of any kind of harm than usual by just turning the system off. Normally the odds are slim to none, if booted off the install DVD, then slim is getting into his car and making his way out of the parking lot on his way home.