Lost Powerbook G3 password... 2

[prondina]

A friend was given a Powerbook G3, as the person he got it from could no longer remember the OS password (that is, it starts up fine, loads the OS (9?) and THEN prompts for a password...)

Keep in mind, I don't know much about Macs, what might some options be? I'm thinking:

1 - I know you can boot up w/ a "live" Linux CD on a PC, and somehow see the file structure on a PC. Don't know exactly how it works tho from there - or how it would work on a mac...

2 - Just get the OS CDs are reinstall? I assume, you just put disk one in there, and boot it? He didnt' say anyting was valuable data-wise, so this is clearly an option if doable.

Anything? Thanks in advance.

pete

 

[jimoblak]

You could read faq604-4278 but I am confused by the request for a password after OS9 loads. Are you certain this is a system password and not one for some other app?

Try holding the SHIFT key during boot to disable system extensions that might be asking for the password. This is like booting in Windows safe mode.

 

[jmgalvin]

Put the software install or restore cd in and restart holding down the C key so the things boots from the cd.

When booted. Don't install or restore. Instead, double click the hard drive and go to System Folder. Double click that and go to Control Panels. Open Control Panels, scroll to Multiple users and double click.

If you click the little Off button at the bottom of the window the machine will boot regualrly from the hard drive without needing the password. If you want, while you're in Multiple users, you can click on the user shown and then Open. You can change the user to you and enter a new password.

People often used this feature on Apple notebooks so that, if lost, nobody could just turn the thing on and access files.

Be VERY careful about reinstalling the OS and other software. YOu can wipe out a lot of stuff, such as fonts, that were not part of the original system.

If you want to reinstall the OS use the Software Install disk as opposed to a Restore disk if you have both. After going thorugh the first screen, you'll see a button for Options. Click that and you'll get the option for Clean Install. Unlike Windows a Mac OS9 and earlier clean install preserves everything. It renames the System Folder to Previous System and installs a new System Folder. Then you can drag things from the Previous System folder - like fonts - into the System folder.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[Zelandakh]

OS9 is fun. Command, Option, Escape. Force the Finder to quit. No more password. Then go clean out recent servers (cos its sometimes that) and do the multiple users as above.