OS 10.4 - Password nightmare

vonrozen · vonrozen #1 (**permalink**)

08-17-2008, 11:20 AM

dear Users, please help: I'll send a good bottle of French wine to whoever helps me with this little problem:

I am using the Mac of my wife , who in fact does not remember her own pass word any longer.

Whenever I want to download and use some softwear programs , e.g. "Ice Clean" (disc admin, scan + cleaning program) a menu popps up asking me for the pass word. How do I circumvent the problem, and can run this program successfully ? Do you think I must re install it on another disk space (the so called "shared - user" space). I am not a IT freak and so have no idea what to do.

thank you for your help ! ! !

Alexander

Alexander

Juan Largo · Juan Largo #2 (**permalink**)

08-17-2008, 11:26 AM

Do this: http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=3853

Use the 'hint' feature to avoid forgetting again.

vonrozen · vonrozen #3 (**permalink**)

08-17-2008, 12:05 PM

thank you very much Juan. What if we do not have the start up disc (any longer/ can not find it). Is there any other way to do it; or any other way to install softwear without being asked fpr pssword ?

thank you !

louishen · louishen #4 (**permalink**)

08-17-2008, 12:10 PM

First, note the short name of the account. This is the same as the name of its home folder, but not necessarily the name that appears in the login window.

Restart your computer, and while it is starting up, hold Command-S. This will start up your Mac in Single User Mode. Once it has started up, you will need to enter three lines of code.

Enter sh /etc/rc and press return.

Then enter passwd yourusername and hit return.

Now you will have to enter a new password twice. What you type won't appear on screen, but it is working. Once you have done this, type reboot and hit return.

vonrozen · vonrozen #5 (**permalink**)

08-17-2008, 12:23 PM

that is very kind of you , thank you ! You must be a soft ware expert. I am a little anxious to do it; what if I forever log myself out by doing that ... (stupid fears, I know). IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET RID OF ALL THE PASWORDS, they present a problem - i can not eben activate the Firewall , it is asking for the **** P - word !

Thank you for your advice

louishen · louishen #6 (**permalink**)

08-17-2008, 12:57 PM

THe password is there for your protection, it is one of the things that makes malware and virus infection on the mac next to impossible (unless you invite am infection in by giving it permission to install)

Just keep a memorable password and know that it is protecting your system from harm

Juan Largo #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 31, 2008 Posts: 195	08-17-2008, 11:26 AM Do this: http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=3853 Use the 'hint' feature to avoid forgetting again. iMac G3 600 MHz OS 10.3.9
	QUOTE Thanks

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OS 10.4 - Password nightmare

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vonrozen #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 17, 2008 Posts: 3	08-17-2008, 11:20 AM dear Users, please help: I'll send a good bottle of French wine to whoever helps me with this little problem: I am using the Mac of my wife , who in fact does not remember her own pass word any longer. Whenever I want to download and use some softwear programs , e.g. "Ice Clean" (disc admin, scan + cleaning program) a menu popps up asking me for the pass word. How do I circumvent the problem, and can run this program successfully ? Do you think I must re install it on another disk space (the so called "shared - user" space). I am not a IT freak and so have no idea what to do. thank you for your help ! ! ! Alexander Alexander
	QUOTE Thanks

louishen #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2007 Location: London Posts: 8,652 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core i7 2012 \| White 2009 MacBook 2 Ghz \| 733 Mhz G4 Quicksilver	08-17-2008, 12:10 PM First, note the short name of the account. This is the same as the name of its home folder, but not necessarily the name that appears in the login window. Restart your computer, and while it is starting up, hold Command-S. This will start up your Mac in Single User Mode. Once it has started up, you will need to enter three lines of code. Enter sh /etc/rc and press return. Then enter passwd yourusername and hit return. Now you will have to enter a new password twice. What you type won't appear on screen, but it is working. Once you have done this, type reboot and hit return.
	QUOTE Thanks

vonrozen #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 17, 2008 Posts: 3	08-17-2008, 12:23 PM that is very kind of you , thank you ! You must be a soft ware expert. I am a little anxious to do it; what if I forever log myself out by doing that ... (stupid fears, I know). IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET RID OF ALL THE PASWORDS, they present a problem - i can not eben activate the Firewall , it is asking for the **** P - word ! Thank you for your advice
	QUOTE Thanks

louishen #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2007 Location: London Posts: 8,652 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core i7 2012 \| White 2009 MacBook 2 Ghz \| 733 Mhz G4 Quicksilver	08-17-2008, 12:57 PM THe password is there for your protection, it is one of the things that makes malware and virus infection on the mac next to impossible (unless you invite am infection in by giving it permission to install) Just keep a memorable password and know that it is protecting your system from harm
	QUOTE Thanks

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