I have a technical question for the Mac experts. I purchased a used iMac (G4) the other day but forgot a couple of minor details. One, no back up software came with the machine. Two, and not really so minor of a detail, I do not know the administrator password. Does anyone know a way to reset the password without reformatting the drive and installing a new operating system? The current OS is 10.1.??. I bought the computer for a friend so I will have to contact him to get the exact version. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Daim.....

Did you get an OS X install CD with it? Or do you have one from a previous Mac? If so, boot up from the CD. When the installer comes up, ignore it and go to the Utilities menu. Under there you'll see an option for resetting the admin password.

As for backup software, Macs don't really come with any. If you have a.Mac account you can us the basic Backup.app, but if you're looking for something more robust there are other options out there, all the way from the freeware apps like Carbon Copy Cloner and PsyncX to the commercial apps like Retrospect Express or the full blown Retrospect.

Hope that helps.

PS- If you need to end up buying an OS X license, I would try, if possible, to hold off just a few weeks. Reason is, Tiger (10.4) will be out shortly. You might as well just get that rather than buy Panther, since Tiger's release if fairly imminent.

Last edited: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 at 7:38:57 PM

OM makes a good point. A brand new version of OS X is expected any day now.

When you say "no back up software". Do you mean software for backing up files or backups of the software that came with the computer?
Software
Since OM answered the first possibility, I will answer the second.
The only software that comes with a new MAC that is essential are the "System DVD" and the "Hardware Test CD". Some applications are pre-installed on the machine and may not have software install disks ie. ILife and some games.

Hard Drive
I would reformat (initialize) the hard drive anyhow. You have know idea what kind of crap the previous user has on there.
If the machine came with expensive software(MS Office, Adobe CS Suite, Macromedia Studio MX) and you don't want to loose the registration numbers, then don't.
But if it has tons of weird applications and tons of files that are questionable, start fresh and wipe the drive.

Good point MAX. Wiping the drive clean and starting fresh is a good idea if at all possible. You'll always get a better experience going that route.

Well when I got my G5 iMac I Got 2 Discs, One a System Restore and Panther installation. The one you need is a System Restore Disc. It restores your Whole system, resetting everything, but doesnt delete any of your files

Last edited: Thursday, April 07, 2005 at 9:15:43 AM

I would still reformat. You never know how much stuff could be on a used machine. It would probably run better if you go that route, and you don't have to worry about what might be on the drive that way.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses.

I bought the computer at a pawnshop for a friend. That may have not been the best idea in the world. The computer works great and came loaded for the money. However, no system install discs or CDs for the after market software such as MS Office came with the machine.

@ OM. My friend is first going to boot with the CD to change the admin. Password in order to preserve the software that came with the machine ( ie; MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint). I will have let him borrow my OS 10 install CD.

@ Pedro. I had to let him use my CDs (I have Panther as well). Would he be able to use my System Restore Disc or will it prompt for a SN#?

@ All. I let him know about the new version due out shortly. Also, I think reformatting is good advice. I told him about this web site so he could read ya’lls advice for himself. He may elect to wipe the drive clean and start with a new system to get the best performance.

Thanks again guys. All good advice.

There will be no serial numbers, its included in the package when you get the mac, no serial numbers are needed to do a system restore

Thanks Pedro, Sounds like a good option and I will let him know. I'm sure with the help everone provided he will get the problem resolved.

My dad knows a way to back up from Terminal...supposedly, it's really easy to start, and it uses the same sort of backing up procedure as the applications that cost $30, but for free. I'll go ask him for instructions.