Mac OS X wipe disk. i need one?

Question

i need to wipe my comp so i can make the administrator me! my friend sold it too me but cant remeber her password and doesnt have the disk. i want to download stuff!! its 200 retail and i cant afford that does anyone have one i can use or borrow. greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

You will always be skating on thin ice without the install disks. Sooner or later the system will have problems. That's just the way it is with computers so be warned.

If you don't even have the install CD handy, you should get one. If you have lost it and don't have the cash to buy a new one just now, you can delete the netinfo database and delete a file called ".applesetupdone". Then when you restart, the Mac will open the same setup program that appeared when your computer was new. You can create a new account from scratch. But it will make the old account a "Deleted User" and put all of your old personal data into a disk image file. That's a bit inconvenient but, in theory, nothing is actually lost.

To do this, go to the web link below and find the section "III. Restoring from defaults ". Restart and hold two keys together: Command key (has an Apple logo and/or the 4-leaf clover-like symbol) and the "S" key. That starts the Mac in "Single-user mode". You'll know you are seeing single-user mode because the screen will fill up with white geeky text on a black background. Release the two keys when you see this. Wait until the last line remains unchanged for at least a minute. Then go ahead with the steps in the article below.

As with all computer stuff, you could still loose data so if you don't have your data backed up, kick yourself three times and be sure to backup your data from this point forward. And don't complain to anyone except yourself if you loose data.

Answer 2

To reset the administrator password using the Mac OS X (installation) disc:
Insert the Mac OS X Install disc and restart the computer.
When you hear the startup tone, hold down the C key until you see the spinning gear.
When the Installer appears, choose Utilities > Reset Password.
Follow the onscreen instructions to change the password.
Quit the Installer and restart your computer while holding down the mouse button to eject the disc.

Answer 3

You can't. You need the password.