Forgot Password - Startup Commands Not Working!

#1 jcarissimo

Group: Member
Posts: 59
Joined: 15-April 08

Posted 17 December 2011 - 11:29 PM

Hi all - the original problem is no one remembers the password to log into our MacBook. At startup it goes to the user login screen and prompts for a password. I have the Mac OSX disc, tried putting it in the optical drive and pressing C, that didn't work. I have tried many times to do Command + S and Command + V. The only thing that does work is if I press Option at startup it goes to a login screen with no username - just asks for a password and shows a picture of a large padlock. And once again, no one knows the password... I know if I could get it to boot to the disc drive I could reset the password. But no luck there.

I'm very confused as to what to do because of course the laptop warranty has expired.

I appreciate any help you can offer.

Thank you.

#2 devper94

Group: Member
Posts: 817
Joined: 16-September 10

Posted 20 December 2011 - 10:13 AM

Hi,

Please try this: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1274

#3 jcarissimo

Group: Member
Posts: 59
Joined: 15-April 08

Posted 20 December 2011 - 07:19 PM

Hi devper94, thank you for the link, but I've tried that same link before and none of those things work. When I press the letter "C" at startup i hear the DVD spinning but it still just goes right to the login prompt. And of course no one remembers the password.

Then there is the option to reset the administrator password by accessing the Startup options. To do this you hold down the "Option" button, the only thing that happens when I do that is I get to a screen that has a locked padlock - again, prompting for a password.

Please help...

Thank you,

jcarissimo

#4 jcarissimo

Group: Member
Posts: 59
Joined: 15-April 08

Posted 25 December 2011 - 10:34 AM

Helpppp... anyone know why when I start up the laptop the DVD is not recognized? Also, none of the other basic commands work either.

#5 devper94

Group: Member
Posts: 817
Joined: 16-September 10

Posted 25 December 2011 - 10:39 AM

Looks like your DVD is damaged to me. However, I think you can borrow someone else's DVD and do it.

#6 jcarissimo

Group: Member
Posts: 59
Joined: 15-April 08

Posted 26 December 2011 - 08:25 AM

I don't think the DVD or the driver are damaged. I hear it spinning and I even tried the disc in another laptop. Is there something else that can be going on with a "password protected" laptop? This is so strange.