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2008 / Badly messed up MacPro
« on: June 02, 2008, 11:14:18 AM »
Since installing Leopard sometime last year, my Mac (for no known reason) has occasionally quit recognizing me as an Administrator and I am unable to perform any computer function that requires an Administrator password. The only recourse has been to reinstall the operating system...I have been able to do this by copying a working backup from another HD.
This happened again this past weekend and I decided to try (again) to reset the administrator password by booting from the install DVD and using Menubar/utilities to make the changes. This time I went a step further and decided to reset the password for the Firmware setting...bad move. When I rebooted and held down the Option key to select the startup volume, I get this:
I can no longer boot from anything except the system I was using when I messed with the password changes.
When trying to use the System Preferences Startup Disk, all volumes are grayed out.
Holding "C" and trying to start from any CD or DVD gets nothing.
Trying to reset PRAM don't work...holding the Command-Option-P&R and restarting results in only one bong and the system starts up.
I even tried to reset the Firmware, but the procedure calls for holding the startup button until the CD/DVD tray opens to receive the Firmware Restore CD. Again all I get is a system startup at the first bong.
Everything seems to work okay as long as I stay within the bounds of a 'User', but nothing works that needs administrator approval.
Obviously I need some expert help. I have held off calling my nearest Apple store (40 odd miles away) until I've exhausted all other options.
Clay
This happened again this past weekend and I decided to try (again) to reset the administrator password by booting from the install DVD and using Menubar/utilities to make the changes. This time I went a step further and decided to reset the password for the Firmware setting...bad move. When I rebooted and held down the Option key to select the startup volume, I get this:
I can no longer boot from anything except the system I was using when I messed with the password changes.
When trying to use the System Preferences Startup Disk, all volumes are grayed out.
Holding "C" and trying to start from any CD or DVD gets nothing.
Trying to reset PRAM don't work...holding the Command-Option-P&R and restarting results in only one bong and the system starts up.
I even tried to reset the Firmware, but the procedure calls for holding the startup button until the CD/DVD tray opens to receive the Firmware Restore CD. Again all I get is a system startup at the first bong.
Everything seems to work okay as long as I stay within the bounds of a 'User', but nothing works that needs administrator approval.
Obviously I need some expert help. I have held off calling my nearest Apple store (40 odd miles away) until I've exhausted all other options.
Clay