Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

NEW admin password

Jan 4, 2012 11:20AM PST

I bought an intel Imac snow leapord osx without the software from a friend a few years ago. My x deleted all of my programs which I dont have any of the discs for, and changed the administrator password. Is there a way to reset the password so I can start to use my mac again and regain the programs such as photoshop for use again???? Or can I or should I delete the hard drive and if so how? Im not computer ecspecially mac savy one bit. Thanks folks!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Intel iMac Operating System
Jan 4, 2012 1:11PM PST

Are you still in touch with the friend you bought it from? Ask him for the discs.
Since it is an Intel iMac, I would upgrade to Lion through the App store. You end up with the latest operating system and do not need any discs.<div>For all your other software, you probably had no legal right to it anyway so, if it stops working, just buy what you need to get what you need.

- Collapse -
Problem with that is that the password
Jan 4, 2012 9:04PM PST

has been changed.
To make any changes to the System, the admin password has to be applied.

- Collapse -
Answer
The programs are gone
Jan 4, 2012 10:21PM PST

The programs are gone, but worst case scenario you pay $30 for a 10.6 retail disc, which you can then boot off of. After the language selection screen, check the Utilities menu and I imagine you can take it from there.

If it's an EFI level password, meaning if you hold down the option key at boot (and you'll need a USB keyboard for this) and get a password prompt, that's pretty simple to get rid of and you don't need any software. Just unscrew the 3 PH2 screws (they're captive, so won't come out) on the bottom edge of the iMac, remove ONE of the RAM modules, then start the computer and reset the PRAM twice in a row. Then verify that the password is gone, turn the system off, put the RAM and RAM door back in/on the unit, and done.