Mac w/no CD's, Passwords, Usernames

Quinton · Quinton #1 (**permalink**)

11-05-2009, 12:50 AM

So, I used to go to this school where they offered a 1 to 1 laptop project, which the school board would give individual students a laptop to see if they improved learning or not.

Well, I graduated and they let me keep my laptop. It's a MacBook. It's currently Version 10.4.9...

When the gave me it though, the computers teachers did NOT unlock Administrator priviledges... therefore It's useless.

He gave me no CD's, Passwords, Usernames... ETC. I also tried the method where you reboot and hold CMD+S or something? Didn't work.

Anyone have any other ideas? Or am I basically effed in the a.

CrimsonRequiem · CrimsonRequiem #2 (**permalink**)

11-05-2009, 12:56 AM

Get a retail copy of Leopard or Snow Leopard and do a clean install?

Quinton · Quinton #3 (**permalink**)

11-05-2009, 01:03 AM

I don't know though... anyway to do this without buying another OS to re-install?

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

11-05-2009, 01:04 AM

You need to buy a copy of OS X, boot the machine with the DVD, and reset the password. Since the machine is already running Tiger, buy a retail version of Tiger. Or, if you wish to upgrade to Leopard, but a retail copy of Leopard instead.

How to reset the administrator's password: Link Be sure to read the article all the way through.

Regards.

Quinton · Quinton #5 (**permalink**)

11-05-2009, 01:06 AM

Since my school used to own them; I am still only logged into the laptop as a guest/user thing. NO Administrator priviledges or pw's or stuff.

DarkestRitual · DarkestRitual #6 (**permalink**)

11-05-2009, 01:17 AM

So wipe the drive with disk utility, or buy sa new HD + OS X. Or call your teacher.

Corbab · Corbab #7 (**permalink**)

11-06-2009, 03:25 PM

I remember seeing somewhere that there's a startup key combination that will allow you to bypass the password-needing stage, but it's not coming to mind at the moment. I by no means support this or back it in any way, but I've heard that if you remove one of the sticks of RAM and reset PRAM three times, it will reset passwords. Once again, BY NO MEANS CONFIRMED or specifically recommended.

viWoody · viWoody #8 (**permalink**)

11-06-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinton

So, I used to go to this school where they offered a 1 to 1 laptop project, which the school board would give individual students a laptop to see if they improved learning or not.

Well, I graduated and they let me keep my laptop. It's a MacBook. It's currently Version 10.4.9...

When the gave me it though, the computers teachers did NOT unlock Administrator priviledges... therefore It's useless.

He gave me no CD's, Passwords, Usernames... ETC. I also tried the method where you reboot and hold CMD+S or something? Didn't work.

Anyone have any other ideas? Or am I basically effed in the a.

Go back to the school, or at least contact them, identify yourself and I'm sure they can help you with this problem,
assuming you acquired this laptop legitimately as you say.

pigoo3 · pigoo3 #9 (**permalink**)

11-06-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinton

Well, I graduated and they let me keep my laptop. It's a MacBook. It's currently Version 10.4.9...

You have two choices:

1. Like "viWoody" mentioned...if you are the legitimate owner of this laptop...then your school should have no problems helping you getting access, just contact them.

2. As others have pointed out...purchase a retail Mac OS install disk, do a fresh install of the OS, and you will be fine.

- Nick

CrimsonRequiem #2 (permalink)
Inactive Staff Member Since: Jul 24, 2008 Posts: 5,956 Mac Specs: MBP 2.3 Ghz 4GB RAM 860 GB SSD, iMac 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 32GB RAM, Fusion Drive 1TB	11-05-2009, 12:56 AM Get a retail copy of Leopard or Snow Leopard and do a clean install? 死神はリンゴしか食べない。
	QUOTE Thanks

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Quinton #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 05, 2009 Posts: 3	11-05-2009, 12:50 AM So, I used to go to this school where they offered a 1 to 1 laptop project, which the school board would give individual students a laptop to see if they improved learning or not. Well, I graduated and they let me keep my laptop. It's a MacBook. It's currently Version 10.4.9... When the gave me it though, the computers teachers did NOT unlock Administrator priviledges... therefore It's useless. He gave me no CD's, Passwords, Usernames... ETC. I also tried the method where you reboot and hold CMD+S or something? Didn't work. Anyone have any other ideas? Or am I basically effed in the a.
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,974 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	11-05-2009, 01:04 AM You need to buy a copy of OS X, boot the machine with the DVD, and reset the password. Since the machine is already running Tiger, buy a retail version of Tiger. Or, if you wish to upgrade to Leopard, but a retail copy of Leopard instead. How to reset the administrator's password: Link Be sure to read the article all the way through. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

Quinton #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 05, 2009 Posts: 3	11-05-2009, 01:06 AM Since my school used to own them; I am still only logged into the laptop as a guest/user thing. NO Administrator priviledges or pw's or stuff.
	QUOTE Thanks

DarkestRitual #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 09, 2009 Location: Ithaca NY Posts: 2,073 Mac Specs: 13 inch alMacBook 2GHz C2D 4G DDR3, 1.25GHz G4 eMac	11-05-2009, 01:17 AM So wipe the drive with disk utility, or buy sa new HD + OS X. Or call your teacher.
	QUOTE Thanks

Corbab #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 13, 2009 Posts: 306 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro, 2.53 GHz, 4 GB DDR3, 250 GB HDD, 10.6.4	11-06-2009, 03:25 PM I remember seeing somewhere that there's a startup key combination that will allow you to bypass the password-needing stage, but it's not coming to mind at the moment. I by no means support this or back it in any way, but I've heard that if you remove one of the sticks of RAM and reset PRAM three times, it will reset passwords. Once again, BY NO MEANS CONFIRMED or specifically recommended.
	QUOTE Thanks

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