Apple G4 locked out

[uberplasma]

Hi everyone
I found an perfectly intact apple G4 in the dump and I can't get by the user password, I do not (previously) own a mac so I really do not know what to do to get by it, or reset it .
I was wondering if, like in windows, I can assume ownerships of the harddrive from another mac and maybe put a new administrator password in to use the computer.
It is mac OS X, can't tell any more than that as it will not go farther than the login, and i can't seem to get into any bios.
any suggestions would be appreciated.
Cheers

[Topcat]

Re: Apple G4 locked out

PPC based Mac's dont have a BIOS menu like a PC does, its all set through the OS (time, etc). I really don't know if there's a way to reclaim a user password like winblows.....I'm not that up on Mac's....but I do know a reload of OSX will cure it.

[lauren]

Re: Apple G4 locked out

Here is a awesome trick to make a new Admin account on Mac OS X:

First reboot the machine while holding the apple and the s key.
Then you will open to "single user mode" which is text based.
Type and press enter:
mount -uw /
Then type and press enter:
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
Then type
Shutdown -h now

After you turn the Mac back on it should bring you to the new user of the machine, and you can make a new Admin account.

[shovenose]

Re: Apple G4 locked out

Or boot from an os x install CD and change the password from ttghe utilities menu.

[Uranium-235]

Re: Apple G4 locked out

or put it back in the dump where it belongs

[uberplasma]

Re: Apple G4 locked out

thanks all, will try it out. Back in the dump?!!OMG - I think this baby looks great!!!

[uberplasma]

Re: Apple G4 locked out

Lauren - worked!!! a thousand thank you's!!!