Please Help

Rosekonerr · Rosekonerr #1 (**permalink**)

08-26-2010, 03:23 AM

Hi, i have recently brought a Mac OS X off a guy. He had an admin account and conveniently forgot the password. To use the computer i have been logging into a guest account but i have got no access to system prefrences, most programs and i cannot download and install anything on the computer without inserting the 'Administrators' password.

I decided i would try and create my own Administrators account. I tried the 'command-s' on the start up and it does not work. i decided to try the Mac disk but when i started the computer up with the disk inside it a lock come up on the screen and requested administrator password to use the disk.
i am sick of not being able to use the laptop the way i want to and am really not liking the amount of money a wasted to get this laptop.

Can someone please give me an idea on how to create an administrator account on my computer. Thank you in advance for any advice or help you can give me.

chas_m · chas_m #2 (**permalink**)

08-26-2010, 06:41 AM

I would say the odds are INCREDIBLY high you bought a stolen computer.

bobtomay · bobtomay #3 (**permalink**)

08-26-2010, 06:48 AM

Sounds like it has a firmware password if you need a password to boot from the disc. Sorry to say, if that's the case, you have a pretty useless computer.

Here is how you reset the admin password - if that asks for a password when you reboot, you're hosed.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #4 (**permalink**)

08-26-2010, 06:55 AM

I have a feeling Chas is correct and it's a stolen computer. Try what Bob said and if that does not work, it's probably hotter than fire!

Rosekonerr · Rosekonerr #5 (**permalink**)

08-27-2010, 05:00 AM

Thanx for all the replys. I will try that link and hopefully it works. If not i will take it to an IT person and hope he/she can fix it. Thankyou again

chscag · chscag #6 (**permalink**)

08-27-2010, 02:33 PM

To add to what the others have written.....

If the machine was stolen and somehow has been protected by a firmware password, there's not much the IT folks are going to be able to do. You might want to do the right thing and try to find out who the machine belongs to. You can do that by checking with Apple. (They will need the serial number.)

Rosekonerr · Rosekonerr #7 (**permalink**)

10-12-2010, 05:23 AM

Hey everyone,

My mac is protected by EFI macbook firmware. In order for me to disable it i need to know the admin password and for those of you who read my last thread would know about my situation. Does anyone know a password retrieval that they would be able to give me so i can get in and disable firmware.

It would be a great help if you could post me some links ASAP.

Thank you for alll your help

Regards, Rosekonerr.

bobtomay · bobtomay #8 (**permalink**)

10-12-2010, 05:31 AM

Note: Merged duplicate threads. There is no need to start a new thread on the same topic. It also has nothing to do with the iPhone iOS, so it has been moved to the proper forum also.

nickw · nickw #9 (**permalink**)

10-12-2010, 06:59 AM

Hi

If I stole a computer and found it password protected the FIRST thing I would do would be to come onto a user forum and make up a story about buying it from a man who "forgot" his password - I mean why buy this computer if the vendor cant demonstrate it to you before purchace because he "forgot" his password?

The OP should go back and get his money back or do the decent thing - as been sugested!!

chscag · chscag #10 (**permalink**)

10-12-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosekonerr

Hey everyone,

My mac is protected by EFI macbook firmware. In order for me to disable it i need to know the admin password and for those of you who read my last thread would know about my situation. Does anyone know a password retrieval that they would be able to give me so i can get in and disable firmware.

It would be a great help if you could post me some links ASAP.

Thank you for alll your help

Regards, Rosekonerr.

I have no reason to believe that you are not being honest... There are several methods for disabling a firmware password. Try the method given in this LINK first. Take note that it requires removing a memory module so be sure that you know how to do that.

If the above method does not work, your only other choice is to take it on in to an authorized Apple repair\reseller or Apple store.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #11 (**permalink**)

10-12-2010, 05:58 PM

And they, the Apple dealers/resellers, will check the serial number out against lists of stolen Macs for you. Had a Dual Core stolen in transit some years ago and that is how it was traced

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chas_m #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,696 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	08-26-2010, 06:41 AM I would say the odds are INCREDIBLY high you bought a stolen computer. Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

dtravis7 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,777 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	08-26-2010, 06:55 AM I have a feeling Chas is correct and it's a stolen computer. Try what Bob said and if that does not work, it's probably hotter than fire! ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #6 (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	08-27-2010, 02:33 PM To add to what the others have written..... If the machine was stolen and somehow has been protected by a firmware password, there's not much the IT folks are going to be able to do. You might want to do the right thing and try to find out who the machine belongs to. You can do that by checking with Apple. (They will need the serial number.) Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,788 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	10-12-2010, 05:31 AM Note: Merged duplicate threads. There is no need to start a new thread on the same topic. It also has nothing to do with the iPhone iOS, so it has been moved to the proper forum also. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

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Rosekonerr #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 26, 2010 Posts: 3	08-26-2010, 03:23 AM Hi, i have recently brought a Mac OS X off a guy. He had an admin account and conveniently forgot the password. To use the computer i have been logging into a guest account but i have got no access to system prefrences, most programs and i cannot download and install anything on the computer without inserting the 'Administrators' password. I decided i would try and create my own Administrators account. I tried the 'command-s' on the start up and it does not work. i decided to try the Mac disk but when i started the computer up with the disk inside it a lock come up on the screen and requested administrator password to use the disk. i am sick of not being able to use the laptop the way i want to and am really not liking the amount of money a wasted to get this laptop. Can someone please give me an idea on how to create an administrator account on my computer. Thank you in advance for any advice or help you can give me.
	QUOTE Thanks

Rosekonerr #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 26, 2010 Posts: 3	08-27-2010, 05:00 AM Thanx for all the replys. I will try that link and hopefully it works. If not i will take it to an IT person and hope he/she can fix it. Thankyou again
	QUOTE Thanks

Rosekonerr #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 26, 2010 Posts: 3	10-12-2010, 05:23 AM Hey everyone, My mac is protected by EFI macbook firmware. In order for me to disable it i need to know the admin password and for those of you who read my last thread would know about my situation. Does anyone know a password retrieval that they would be able to give me so i can get in and disable firmware. It would be a great help if you could post me some links ASAP. Thank you for alll your help Regards, Rosekonerr.
	QUOTE Thanks

nickw #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 12, 2010 Posts: 6	10-12-2010, 06:59 AM Hi If I stole a computer and found it password protected the FIRST thing I would do would be to come onto a user forum and make up a story about buying it from a man who "forgot" his password - I mean why buy this computer if the vendor cant demonstrate it to you before purchace because he "forgot" his password? The OP should go back and get his money back or do the decent thing - as been sugested!!
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,065 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	10-12-2010, 05:58 PM And they, the Apple dealers/resellers, will check the serial number out against lists of stolen Macs for you. Had a Dual Core stolen in transit some years ago and that is how it was traced
	QUOTE Thanks

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