Need to Install 10.5, dont have Admin password

I need to install 10.5 on a G4 Mac but I dont have "administrator" privileges. I have the retail Leopard Disc but I cant install it. I also dont care about what the computer has, all the data can go (erase and install). Any hints?

rzj90059 said:

I need to install 10.5 on a G4 Mac but I dont have "administrator" privileges. I have the retail Leopard Disc but I cant install it. I also dont care about what the computer has, all the data can go (erase and install). Any hints?

Click to expand...

You should be able to "boot" from the 10.5 install DVD...and have no installation issues.

I have never been presented with an "Admin" password authentication when installing from a "booted" DVD. When you select which type of install to do are you selecting the "fresh" copy install vs. the "archive current system" install?

- Nick

p.s. I guess I also should ask...why don't you have the Admin password...is this your computer?

I know what u mean, Ive used the same disc to install on several macbook pros and it works perfectly fine. When I try to boot it from the desktop it tells me to enter a admin pw. I try to boot from start up using c but no success. Then i hold the option key at startup to select what to boot from and i get a picture that has a lock on the left, password entry bar in the middle, and right arrow on the right

rzj90059 said:

I know what u mean, Ive used the same disc to install on several macbook pros and it works perfectly fine. When I try to boot it from the desktop it tells me to enter a admin pw. I try to boot from start up using c but no success. Then i hold the option key at startup to select what to boot from and i get a picture that has a lock on the left, password entry bar in the middle, and right arrow on the right

Click to expand...

Hmmm...that sounds strange. But it sounds like you have done this before...so you know what I mean about booting from the DVD & not having any install problems.

I'm not sure what to say. Maybe someone else will "stop in"...and have a suggestion.

Sorry,

- Nick

Im actually running 10.3, sorry but this is the image i get when I hold option at start up

rzj90059 said:

Im actually running 10.3, sorry but this is the image i get when I hold option at start up

Click to expand...

Interesting...I don't think I've sen that before. I wonder if it's a OS 10.3 thing!

I think that picture should help get an answer.

What happens if when you hold down the "c" key on startup?

- Nick

p.s. Are you sure this computer does not have some sort of "Theft Recovery" software on it!

When I hold down C, it just starts up as normal.

Have you ever used Firmware Protection Password software on your Mac, as the inability to boot from disc holding down 'C' etc is typical of firmware password protection?

Have a look at this link from Apple and just look at the icon of this software halfway down the page:-

Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X

harryb2448 said:

Have you ever used Firmware Protection Password software on your Mac, as the inability to boot from disc holding down 'C' etc is typical of firmware password protection?

Have a look at this link from Apple and just look at the icon of this software halfway down the page:-

Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X

Click to expand...

Interesting! But no I wouldn't know about the firmware protection as I picked up this tower at a yard sale for a measly $30. So I took my chances. But obviously with that said, no I don't know any history about it.

harryb2448 said:

Have a look at this link from Apple and just look at the icon of this software halfway down the page:-

Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X

Click to expand...

Thanks for that idea Harry! Very interesting suggestion...thanks for the link as well!

+1

- Nick

rzj90059 said:

When I hold down C, it just starts up as normal.

Click to expand...

That's really not the answer I expected. What happens if you boot up the computer with the "c" key pressed...with the Mac OS install CD in the CD drive?

The computer should boot up with the CD...and then you should be able to proceed with the install.

- Nick

rzj90059 said:

Interesting! But no I wouldn't know about the firmware protection as I picked up this tower at a yard sale for a measly $30. So I took my chances. But obviously with that said, no I don't know any history about it.

Click to expand...

If Harry is correct...and your computer has a firmware password on it...you do have two options you could consider:

- you could try entering some very commonly used passwords...trial & error...including no password.
- you could try contacting the folks who had the yard sale...and ask them if they know the password.

- Nick

pigoo3 said:

If Harry is correct...and your computer has a firmware password on it...you do have two options you could consider:

- you could try entering some very commonly used passwords...trial & error...including no password.
- you could try contacting the folks who had the yard sale...and ask them if they know the password.

- Nick

Click to expand...

No the computer did not boot holding C.

I did, out of desperation, removed the HDD and put it in an external enclosure and I am cloning it as we speak from my working Aluminum MBP, hoping there isnt any issues. Then with that done, I am hoping to reinstall Leopard.

How does that sound?

Wow I learn something new about Macs every day!

Cloning it may well pass the firmware password security onto the MacBook Pro and you still will not know the password lol!

To remove firmware password read the link posted earlier. You de-activate it in OS X.4 and OS X.5 use the install DVD and that is the only way alas! Go to the Application, deselect, erase password etc and close, reboot and all should (fingers AND toes crossed) well.

Please do not tell us you do not have the Tiger OS install DVD?

harryb2448 said:

Please do not tell us you do not have the Tiger OS install DVD?

Click to expand...

The OP said they have the retail Leopard 10.5 install disk in the initial post...so hopefully that is not an issue!;D

- Nick

pigoo3 said:

The OP said they have the retail Leopard 10.5 install disk in the initial post...so hopefully that is not an issue!;D

- Nick

Click to expand...

Yes Nick the snag is if the firmware password has been set up under Tiger, guess what?

no I do not have the tiger disk. So the cloning method didn't work. All I get is the startup screen with the chime and it turns off

harryb2448 said:

Yes Nick the snag is if the firmware password has been set up under Tiger, guess what?

Click to expand...

Ahh...I thought in your earlier post you were suggesting that having either 10.4 or 10.5 retail install disks would be adequate for getting around the firmware password.

Guess I was confused!

- Nick

rzj90059 said:

no I do not have the tiger disk. So the cloning method didn't work. All I get is the startup screen with the chime and it turns off

Click to expand...

If your computer has a firmware password...man a fairly rare & pain in the butt situation.

Other than purchasing the Tiger install disks...you could still try the two suggestions I made earlier:

- you could try entering some very commonly used passwords...using the trial & error method.
- you could try contacting the folks who had the yard sale...and ask them if they know the password.

- Nick