[b11051973]

A co-worker bought an iBook from somewhere. She can't boot because it has a system password, and she doesn't know what it is. I guess she must not know the previous owner, because she could just ask them.

Anyway...I know about the password reset tool on the install CD. I put in the install disk and hold down C when I boot. The apple symbol comes up and then gets slightly funky looking and then it's just locked up like that. I try the same CD on my PowerBook and I get into the install utilities just fine.

Anyone have any ideas? For all I know, the CD drive doesn't even work. Also, the install disk I'm using is definitely a CD and not a DVD.

Could there be any problem like the iBook has Jaguar and I'm using a Panther install disk? I'm assuming not. To be honest, I don't even know what version of OS X is on the iBook.

One last thing, I know you can hook to Macs together by firewire and hold down F when booting the one. Is there any trick with that to help me?

[ChrisF]

Originally posted by b11051973:
One last thing, I know you can hook to Macs together by firewire and hold down F when booting the one. Is there any trick with that to help me?

That's the "T" key you hold. No trick. When does the system prompt for the password? After booting OS X or before?
The disk may be locked with the old OS 9 password which required a password before booting or perhaps it's an open firmware password.

The computer may need a firmware update before it can boot Panther also.

[b11051973]

A Mac OS X welcome screen pops up. It then says 'checking disks', establishing network connections' and a few other things. It looks pretty similar to when I boot my Panther PowerBook.

Then a screen comes up with a space to put in a userid and password. There are 4 buttons below that, restart, shutdown, login and some 4th one I can't think of.