locked out of e-mac computer?

Question

I just got a computer from a friend and tried to change the administrative password and name I cannot get past the user sign in screen unless I go under my daughter account where I blocked her useage of anything important through my page. Is there anyway I can get around this to get back onto my screen?

Answer 1

Some big-time confusion in what you are trying to say. At the end of your question, you say "...get back into my screen" but I don' t really understand how it is your "screen". Maybe you mean it is the previous owner's login account and he/she didn't tell you the password. That is your problem, right?

About this suggestion that you boot to the install disk (CD or DVD) and that will give you some way to create a new account--- impossible.

You have two choices. One is based on your having the original OS restore or install CD/DVD. The other is based on your not having any install disks.

If you have the install disk, follow these steps:
1. Start up from a Mac OS X Install CD. You should first disable Open Firmware password protection, if it is enabled. Hold the C key as the computer starts. If it fails to startup to the CD, restart and hold the option key until you see the startup manager screen where you should be able to choose the CD and press enter to continue. Remember: You WILL NOT reinstall.
2. Choose Reset Password from the Installer menu (or Utilities menu in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger). Tip: If you don't see this menu or menu choice, you're probably not started from the CD yet.
3. Select your Mac OS X hard disk volume.
4. Set the user name of your original administrator account.
Important: Do not select "System Administrator (root)". This is actually a reference to the root user. Do not confuse it with a normal administrator account.
5. Enter a new password.
6. Click Save.
7. Quit the installer and restart.

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 says "sh-2.05a#" or something similar. Then go ahead with the steps in the article below.

Answer 2

You didn't record that you just played a manufacturing facility restoration. It isn't the identical as utilising System Restore. You indexed that you just used Spybot. Did you utilize Malwarebytes, ComboFix and SuperantiSpyware? They do uncover problems that Spybot does no longer. Has this four month historical pc long gone again to the manufacturing facility but, as it's nonetheless on guarantee? Oh.. and thank you for adding the make and mannequin. That was once handy. finish of line

Answer 3

Boot the eMac from the CD that came with it (insert the CD, then reboot while holding down the "C" key). You should then be able to create a new adminstrator account.