02-05-2007, 07:01 PM

I'm going to do a search on how to resolve this - I'm not asking for help yet - unless you want to wade in...

Anyway - I couldn't wait any longer so decided to buy - but I decided that - actually I might as well get a refurb product and have some change to put towards an iPod

Maybe the refurb was not the best route.

Firstly I was surprised it came in a boring brown box - looked no where near as cool as the images I've seen of new MacBook packaging - however lets be honest - who really cares about that - the box will be living in the attic anyways!

Secondly and perhaps the most irritating; the MacBook was not set to a new state. By this I mean it has a User name on it - maybe it's the guy that tested it at apple - I don't know - but I am unable to make any changes because I don't have this guys password - I'm really gutted about that - I am really surprised they would do that.

I think I've seen posts about doing something during boot up to reset the password so I'm going to do a search now - seriously though - this took the wind right out of my sails. I was chuffed with it - carrying it around - to see what I thought of the weigh and stuff - even making sure my power adaptor thing didn't get put on anything dirty (VERY SAD this will change soon) And then I boot it up... I was expecting something to ask for my name and to ask me to setup a password or something - when it booted straight in - no probs - but not being able to make changes???????????

Delivery from Apple was SUPER FAST though - maybe too fast for them to sort out this other user?

My iPod came from Amazon - it's beautiful - wish I'd bought one years ago! (also super fast delivery BTW)

Well off to do a little search....

My name's Dave and I own a Mac - and I'm not quite as happy as I thought I'd be - well not yet

02-05-2007, 07:08 PM

Hi RND Dave! I have heard of refurbs still having a user account on them when received by the new owner. Don't let that get you down! I found this(link) while searching the forums. Hope it helps!

Restoring My Mac mini


Edit: Unfortunately refurbs don't come in the pretty white box. They ususally have a brown box that says something like "apple refurbished product"

02-05-2007, 07:18 PM

Thanks for the link - I've sorted the password now - I'm wondering should I just rename the old user account or create a new one then delete the old one?

Any thoughts? There doesn't look like any user files left behind....

02-05-2007, 07:22 PM

Using the recovery media, I would do a fresh install and set it up the way you want it.

02-05-2007, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by rman

Using the recovery media, I would do a fresh install and set it up the way you want it.

I agree!

02-05-2007, 07:24 PM

I always do a fresh install when I get a Mac, even if its brand new. That way I can customize the install, and make sureit has everything I want, and doesn't have stuff I don't want.

I would recommend doing that, that way you'll even get the "new mac" experience, and you won't have to worry about user names or anything like that.

02-05-2007, 07:35 PM

Thanks for the advice people.

I'm going to do a full install tomorrow then. I've done the password and added a new account and removed the old one - it's all good for now - but I'll still follow your advice tomorrow.

The Mac connected to my access point and found a few updates it wants - maybe 50MB worth of stuff - that was nice a simple - it just worked

My name is Dave and I own a MacBook - I love it - I'm happy again.

Now I wish I didn't buy the iPod at the same time - too many toys - not enough time - been laying a floor all day - knackered!

Thanks for your help/advice - I'm going to hook my iPod up to the PC and get my stuff ready for the MacBook

02-05-2007, 07:51 PM

Congratulations on your purchases Dave! Don't be sad about your refurb having a user account set up! When I bought my iMac G5 just over a year ago it was brand new but the price had been reduced as it was one of the last ones available here.

I was so happy, pulled it carefully out of the box and turned it on and it booted into a user account. The Mac Shop where I bought it had set it up and had put their shops name as the .mac account and as the owner of the Mac so I had a really hard time trying to find a way to remove their name and put my own in. Every username seemed to be greyed out so it took me a while to find all the locations to change.

Eventually i did a re-install and it was then I got to experience the Mac installation thrill!

So, it's already been advised - reinstall Mac OS X and claim it for your own  ...and just enjoy!

02-05-2007, 07:56 PM

Thanks Pulse-8

I've just noticed either something strange with my MacBook or a real bonus - definitely worth a dodgy user account left on the machine - I ordered the 2Ghz Core 2 Duo White MacBook with 1GB Ram (Standard stuff) the system profiler claims 2GB RAM - Firstly is there a known bug in OS X that is just getting it wrong and everyone has this - or have I just become a very happy camper?

02-05-2007, 07:58 PM

I think you have become a happy camper.

02-05-2007, 07:58 PM

I think you have just been invited to a very good camping trip... :girl:

02-05-2007, 08:04 PM

if u dont believe os x, just take out the battery and check to see if theres 2gb. If there is, your one lucky guy

02-05-2007, 08:06 PM

Bonus !!

02-05-2007, 08:10 PM

Yeah they sometimes come with extra ram. I know people that buy refurb and get extra. That is so cool!

02-05-2007, 08:22 PM

Wow, kinda makes me wish I bought a refurb