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General discussion

Mac help- passwords

Jan 4, 2006 1:10PM PST

Hi Mac users,

I have a problem and hopefully someone can put me in the right direction. I've been a PC user for many many years and I've just decided to gradually cross over to Macs. I bought an iBook off of ebay and I have a problem with it. It's an iBook G3. It had a previous owner and the person who sold it to me told me that I would have to get a new operating system. The previous owner had a password set up and I cant get into anything to delete the programs and few old files. I tried contacting the person who sold it to me on ebay but his account is now longer active. The computer is in good working condition because I can sign on as a guest but not an administrator.

Could someone help me figure out how to solve this problem? I would greatly appreciate it. I dont know how to format the hard drive or i don't even know if i need to. I really don't want to buy a new hard drive because I've heard it's extremely hard to change a mac hard drive.

Thanks so much.

Discussion is locked

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It's not hard
Jan 4, 2006 2:10PM PST

Just boot from the OSX install disk you're going to use to put a new operating system on it.
How?
Put the disk into the computer, and reboot, while holding down the C key.
The computer will boot from the CD/DVD drive.

Reformat the internal HD using the disk utility on the install DVD and then install the OS as normal.

There are ways around the OSX password, but I'm not posting them here.

Sorry.

Lampie

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Did you
Jan 4, 2006 8:47PM PST

ever follow the advice of the seller and purchase a new OS for the machine?
If not, then you need to in order to follow the instructions Lampie.
The highest OS that your machine will comfortably support is OS 10.3.x which is known as Panther. Do not be talked into 10.4 (Tiger) as this is too much OS, in my opinion, for the G3 processor. Does this iBook look anything like the ones being sold in the Apple store right now or is it one of those that were known as ClamShell iBooks. That type has a handle at the back and are NOT white.


P

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Multiple Posts
Jan 4, 2006 8:54PM PST

do not make people answer your questions any faster. In fact, it can have the opposite effect.
I have deleted one and locked the other.

Please try to stick to the same forum


P

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thanks
Jan 5, 2006 12:42AM PST

Thanks for the help. I did not buy a new operating system but I'm going to. the ibook is a white G3 (looks like the G4)

Do all instillation CDS run by DVD. The laptop doesn't have a DVD drive.

I just need to use the laptop to see if i really like macs. It'll be a travel computer and if I like it i'll go ahead and buy the G4 powerbook.

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Not all Mac OS's are on DVD
Jan 5, 2006 9:34AM PST

Only Tiger has been issued on a DVD, so far but you are going for Panther.
Panther, OS X 10.3 is on a set of Cd's so you will have no trouble installing it.

Hope you enjoy the experience

P