Inherited Mac Mini. Don't have admin info

Question

My Father died last year and I inherited his Mac Mini. My wife has retired and we are trying to set up the mini for her use but the changes we want to make require admin access and we do not have the information my father used to set up the machine.

Is it possible to reset the admin information without having the old information? If so, how would I go about it?

I am not a Mac user usually so any guidance will have to be pretty simple!

Answer 1

There's at least two ways to reset the login password without installation media.

Change the password in single user mode

1. Hold ⌘S on startup
2. mount -uw / (fsck -fy is not needed)
3. launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.opendirectoryd.plist (or /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist in 10.6)
4. dscl . passwd /Users/username (without a trailing slash) and enter a new password. You can ignore the error about com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist.
5. reboot

Create a new admin account

1. Hold ⌘S on startup
2. mount -uw / (fsck -fy is not needed)
3. rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
4. reboot
5. Go through the steps of creating a new account. You can leave all fields in the personal information step blank.
6. After logging in on the new account, go to the Users & Groups preference pane
7. Select the old account, press the Reset Password... button, and enter a new password

Answer 2

I'm sorry to hear about your father.

It is possible to reset the admin password to a Mac quite easily providing you have the correct install disc to match the version of the software that is running on the computer. Resetting the password does not delete any of the information on the Mac, but it will prevent you from gaining access to other passwords that are saved in the system for things like mail accounts or wifi keys that have previously been entered and saved by the original user. Once you have changed the password you will be prompted to create a new Keychain, which is the name of the place where these other passwords are saved.

Once you have admin access you can create or delete accounts. There is a support article on the Apple website with info on how to reset the password here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274

If you don't have the install disc or need more help, I'd suggest booking an appointment at the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store and they will help you reset it at no charge.