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Thread: Mac OS X recover lost password

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    3,026

    Mac OS X recover lost password

    To reset your OS X password without an OS X CD you need to enter terminal and create a new admin account:

    1. Reboot
    2. Hold apple + s down after you hear the chime.
    3. When you get text prompt enter in these terminal commands to create a brand new admin account (hitting return after each line):
    • mount -uw /
    • rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
    • shutdown -h now

    4. After rebooting you should have a brand new admin account. When you login as the new admin you can simply delete the old one and you’re good to go again!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    3,026

    Re: Mac OS X recover lost password

    Step 1: Start up from a Mac OS X Install CD.

    MacOSX-DVD.pngThis hardest part of this technique may be laying your hands on a Mac OS X Install CD when you need one. Use a version that is close the the version of Mac OS X you have installed.

    Hold the C key as the computer starts to boot from the CD.

    When the installer starts, choose your language, and you'll proceed to the welcome dialog.

    Step 2: Choose Reset Password from the Utilities menu.


    Tip: In previous versions of Mac OS X (10.2 and 10.3), you can find the Resent Password option under the Installer menu instead.

    Step 3: Select your Mac OS X hard disk volume.


    Select the user name of your original administrator account.

    Important: Do not select "System Administrator (root)". This is actually a reference to the root user. Do not confuse it with a normal administrator account.

    Enter your new password. Click Save.

    Step 4: Quit the Reset Password tool, and Restart your Mac.

    Once you restart your Mac, you should be able to log in with the newly changed password.

    Source: This question comes up all the time. The most recent inspiration to get this tip written up comes from the in-house creative department at Organic to Go. Apple also provides a nice Technote on this topic.

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