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PowerBook G4 no password or install discs [Solved/Closed]

Ask a question blueslover - Latest answer on Dec 13, 2012 12:12PM

Hello,
I bought a PowerBook G4 from an individual without the install discs. I don't have the system password either. I need to delete the previous owner's info and set it up for me.
I 've reviewed previous discussions here but the instructions aren't working other than the disc check command. Can someone give me more detailed info on what to enter?

Helpful

+96

savesthedayguy Oct 12, 2009 03:55AM

All you need is nothing: OK, restart your computer, hold down Command-S and type in the following:

/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

Once you've done that the computer reboots and ask you to set up an admin password. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences

View all 28 comments

lissy- Nov 25, 2009 03:08PM

what is command? my computer doesnt seem to have a command.

Know50- Dec 12, 2009 06:48PM

I bought a PowerBook g4 from my roomate about 2 months ago, and it worked fine until the other day. I shut it down and spent a day away from home, when I came home and turned it on it wouldn't accept my password. I tried holding down apple s after the chime but it still only goes to the password screen, any advise?

george- Dec 15, 2009 01:01PM

hi save the day
I am reading your solutions on pass word reset.

I b got this power book g4, from a friend... he says it's a guy that left , when he own him rent money...
( I got from him ( pay for it ) but since I had no idea about secure pass word, I cannot erase the info to reeinstall leopard ( or osx ) they keep me asking for pass word,)
they even have a hint ( GO AWAY )

How can I reset, since both partiers ( the guy and his old room mate are not available?

can you help?
I am willing to pay for the services.

alan

amcanrer- Feb 15, 2010 08:53PM

Hi, STDG.

I hope you can save my day. My beloved PowerBook G4 got sick and died today. I had Firefox open and it suddenly started freezing. I shut it down and now it won't restart past a grey screen with the Apple logo.

Do you have a magic way to get it working?

srenn- Feb 16, 2010 01:52PM

Save the day guy,
You are awesome!! Your suggestion worked perfectly on my powerbook g4. I am soooo thankful that I happened to stumble upon this post and see those instructions!

Srenn

racheljean93- Mar 4, 2010 01:38PM

it says no file detected for all of these. k thnx

FrustratedbutSaved- Mar 5, 2010 12:08AM

Save the Day Guy, u just saved the day my friend, u r now my hero....

ro- Apr 11, 2010 11:00AM

did that but my screen is just blue what up

Finatic1- Apr 29, 2010 08:25PM

Not only did you just help me FINALLY get this thing moving but you get to wear the crown of "THE AWESOMENESS" whenever you get the urge

rj- May 2, 2010 10:25PM

this also saved a friend of mine
You are a life saver
Thanks again
RJ

tbaby- May 6, 2010 06:50PM

will this delete my files ?

Pj- Jun 6, 2010 01:31AM

hello I have try what you post up here but its not working for my powerbook g4 can you help

hawa- Jun 11, 2010 10:53PM

/sbin/fsck -f [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

I did some changes which work with me on Panther Mac 10.3 system.

( Instead if -y I used -f and instead of -uaw to uw)

Thanks You Sooooooooooooo muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch

mac lover- Jun 25, 2010 09:46PM

Hey I have the same problem and you helped but when I get to the part to create an account it says I have to select a picture however there is no picture to select and I cant continue
please help me

mac crazy- Jul 6, 2010 05:54PM

I tried something like this on my mac 10.5.8 and now it just keep starting over and over again without ever really rebooting. Can you please help.

Indian- Jul 22, 2010 08:27AM

Excellent
it worked . U save my life

stormyparadise- Apr 25, 2011 07:09PM

You're the freaking best thanks

saleem- Apr 29, 2011 04:25PM

many thanls for advice
it worked fine but with a tiny modification in the first line
/sbin/fsck -fy

thanks again

drew- Apr 30, 2011 05:39PM

very cool - worked a treat,

HELP ME- May 4, 2011 03:15PM

Please Help Me, I did everything you said to do, after it was done booting, it just has a big black square on the screen and you cant do anything!!! How do you fix it! Please help!

Deuce2- Dec 13, 2012 12:12PM

Perfect!!

Helpful

Jack Kallo Aug 17, 2010 11:59AM

I was able to create a new username and password, but now it seems that I may have lost all of my daughter's years of data.

Does this wipe the hard drive?

If not, how do I bring her stuff back up?

She is going to freak out if I tell her that several years of information is gone. I was supposed to back this information up .... I fear that critical information could be lost.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Basically ... the optical drive was broken ... I forgot her password ... was simply trying to install the security upgrades, etc.

Helpful

Andre Apr 14, 2009 09:47AM

Restart with OS X disk and hold down c. You can reset the password with the disk.

JVSQA- Jun 26, 2009 11:16AM

Hi,
Even after trying this pressing C,still it is in Password field,i loaded the disk utility 1 as well,no help,i did upgrade the OS to Leopard,is this causing a problem,i dont no exactly?

Datateknikk- Apr 20, 2010 03:15AM

What about if I do not have the disk?

Datateknikk- Apr 20, 2010 03:17AM

Do anybody have iLife '08 or OS-10.4 I can buy?
I have iLife '09 I can swap for iLife '08

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PowerBook G4 no password or install discs [Solved/Closed]

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