how to format and reinstall fresh when...

[Cenobite]

Hi All,

Quick question for you guys/gals...

I am not familiar with mac at all to say the least, but my gf has one..but the thing is, there is an admin password on it, which she doen't remember...sigh..., so she can't install software updates etc...also, while moving to my place, she lost the install cd.... which helps a lot I guess...re-sigh.....

She runs for the moment mac os x something...

Do you think that if I buy the lastest software @ a Apple computer shop I can bypass the admin password, format and re install ?

Any help is appreciated.
Thank you all !
Ceno

[Birk]

someone will correct me if im wrong here please.

Try holding Control+R while you turn the computer on. keep holding it

Might be Command+R i can't remember try both

[Cenobite]

Originally Posted by Birk

someone will correct me if im wrong here please.

Try holding Control+R while you turn the computer on. keep holding it

Hi Birk !
thanks for the feedback....but what does it do while holding Control+R while I turn the computer on ?

Does it by pass everything ? (admin password) so i can format and re-install fresh ?

Please advise.
thank you
ceno

[Birk]

it should open up a restore utility to format and reinstall OSX and such, on my macbook its kinda cool, even if you format the entire drive or install a new drive or otherwise dont have the restore partition it even downloads it automatically with internet connection.

[Cenobite]

Originally Posted by Birk

it should open up a restore utility to format and reinstall OSX and such, on my macbook its kinda cool, even if you format the entire drive or install a new drive or otherwise dont have the restore partition it even downloads it automatically with internet connection.

Well that's nice !

I will give it a try tonight !
thank you VERY much Birk !
You rock !
Ceno

[Cenobite]

hi all,

i tried Birk' solutions:
Control+R
&
Command+R

while turning the computer on, but it did nothing, i ended up in front of the login session..

is there anything else I can try to do to solve this issue ?

thank you all for your tips
ceno

[lowfat]

You need the installation disc/flash drive in order to do a password reset. Insert the install disc. Power up and hold down option. It will bring up the boot selection menu. Select the install disc. Once it boots to the disc. Go to the utility menu and select password reset.

[Cenobite]

I went to the apple store to get some more info, I need to buy the install cd online and then process with a new install, which I wanted to do anyways.
thank you all for your help.
Ceno