Tips

Resetting Passwords in OS X

If you forget your password in Mac OS X, there is a way you can reset it so you can log back in to the system.

1. Insert you Mac OS X Install CD/DVD.
   
2. Restart your Mac and immediately hold down the C key on your keyboard to restart with the disc instead of the hard drive.
   
3. Wait a few seconds since CD startups usually take longer than Hard Disk startups.
   
4. Select Installer>>Reset Password... in the menu.
   
5. Choose the hard disk icon where your Mac OS X Installation is present and in the drop down menu choose the user you want to reset.
   
6. Enter you new password twice for verification, and Save it.
   
7. Select Reset Password>>Quit Reset Password to quit the application.
   
8. Quit the Installer as well and it will tell you this will restart your computer.
   
9. Restart it and don't hold down to the C key.
   
10. When the login box appears input your new password.
    

As I'm sure you can surmise, this does create a rather large security hole in OS X. Luckily, this is not a well know procedure (unless the whole world were to read this posting, but we're not vain enough to believe that will happen soon). This is known as security through obscurity. If you are concerned that someone might be able to gain access to your system, there is a way to block anyone from doing this with Apple's Open Firmware Password utility. However, you should be aware of the possible ramifications should you choose to implement this feature. Because of the potential risks involved with this we will not post the instructions here lest someone attempt it, complete muck up their system and then try to hold us responsible for the resulting chaos. Should you wish to implement this option you can find more information as well as step-by-step instructions here. But don't say we didn't warn you.

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