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+--- Thread: Need to reinstall system help (/showthread.php?tid=185264)
Need to reinstall system help - Kate - 11-20-2015
My local thrift shop got a Mac donated, but there is a password to get into the machine. Is there a way that I can put a new operating system on this machine and bypass the password? Any assistance appreciated, they could really use a working machine.
Kate
Re: Need to reinstall system help - cbelt3 - 11-20-2015
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/reset-bypass-password-mac-macbook/
Depending on the OSX version, sometimes you need an install disc.
http://lifehacker.com/5681710/how-to-break-into-a-mac-and-prevent-it-from-happening-to-you
Re: Need to reinstall system help - C(-)ris - 11-20-2015
Depends on if it is asking for an iCloud password or just a user account. If it is just a user account password then you can hold down option and see if there is a recovery partition. If not, you will need to find out what model the Mac is and what OS it can take. Then download that and make a CD or thumb drive to install.
Re: Need to reinstall system help - modelamac - 11-20-2015
You should be able to boot in Target mode - hold T at Startup sound. Connect it by FW to another Mac. At that point you can erase the donated drive and install any OS equal to or newer that the one it came with.
Kate wrote:
My local thrift shop got a Mac donated, but there is a password to get into the machine. Is there a way that I can put a new operating system on this machine and bypass the password? Any assistance appreciated, they could really use a working machine.
Kate
Re: Need to reinstall system help - Article Accelerator - 11-21-2015
It's not so easy if the system is protected by a firmware password:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455
http://www.imore.com/how-set-your-macs-firmware-password-and-why-you-shouldnt
On the Web you can find some firmware reset hacks that may work on older systems.
Re: Need to reinstall system help - Kate - 11-23-2015
Thank you everyone. I had Snow Leopard on a thumb drive and that worked just fine. Easy Peasy.
Kate