OS X user setup

[cdub1988]

possibly messed-up system.

Not sure on the actual version of X, but I think it's Jag.

Anyway, it's installed on an eMac and it seems that the user has changed the normal login user password and now has booted from the install CD and changed it that way (not sure about the details).

Nonetheless, he can't access the system at all since autologin has been turned off.

He gets the prompt for one user on the system and can't get in.

Any ideas how he can get in and setup another administrator account?

Thanks!

Chris

[pendragon]

Chris, If your friend is in fact running Jag, this oughta do it:

Start up from Jag’s OS Disk 1.
As soon as the disk loads, look to the Menu Bar (top-left) where you will see “Installer.” Below that is “Reset Password.” Click on Reset Password and follow the screen prompts.

Hide the OS Startup CD. :whistle:

Harv

[cdub1988]

Harv -

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I actually think that's what he did. But I got this story second-hand, so it was a bit confused in the description.

I think he had changed the password in that way (from the boot installer) and that's what hosed it for some reason it sounds like.

That's why I was kinda at a loss.

Can you boot X without having to go through the login process?

I mean can you force it to bypass it in any way?

Thanks!

Chris

[kelly]

I think Harv is just suggesting he do it again.

[kps]

QUOTE(cdub1988 @ May 15 2003, 11:32 PM)

Can you boot X without having to go through the login process?

I mean can you force it to bypass it in any way?

 No, but using this method you can get access to the system.

To truly protect a machine in a more open environment is to use the Open Firmware password protection. That way someone won't be able to use a CD to boot the machine.

[pendragon]

Chris,

Yeah, what Kelly said. I really meant for your friend to use (again) the install OS CD.

Yeah, what KPS said. Open Firmware is the absolute way to preclude others from hacking in to the machine. But, be aware that the usual (following) start up tricks will no longer work:
* Blocks the ability to use the "C" key to start up from a CD-ROM disc.
* Blocks the ability to use the "N" key to start up from a NetBoot server.
* Blocks the ability to use the "T" key to start up in Target Disk Mode (on computers that offer this feature).
* Blocks the ability to start up in Verbose mode by pressing the Command-V key combination during startup.
* Block the ability to start up a system in Single-user mode by depressing the Command-S key combination during startup.
* Blocks a reset of Parameter RAM (PRAM) by pressing the Command-Option-P-R key combination during startup.
* Requires the password to use the Startup Manager, accessed by pressing the Option key during startup (Figure 1).
* Requires the password to enter commands after starting up in Open Firmware, which is done by depressing the Command-Option-O-F key combination during startup.

So just be careful. If you mess up, even Apple can’t (or won’t) help.

See Apple Knowledge Base Document 106482 http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482

Harv

[cdub1988]

QUOTE(kelly @ May 15 2003, 10:46 PM)

I think Harv is just suggesting he do it again.

 Okey-dokey.

I'll have him give that a shot.

     

Chris