Afriend at work husband pass away a while back. He had a mac G4 note book almost new. She would like to sell it but she does'nt know the pass word to boot it up. She has no idea what it is. Is there any thing she can do? I would like to buy it but only if works!! Thanks

Pop in a OS 9 or OS X install CD... Try for a OS 9 CD if you can; it'll be simpler. Hold down the 'C' key when the computer is booting up. As soon as you hear the CD drive kick in you can release the 'C'. The comptuer will boot off the CD.

You can have your friend back up the information on the drive. You can then either wipe the hard drive clean with a fresh copy of the OS.

Hope this helps!


Ed

I agree completely with cosi on this one. You could try and crack the password, or guess it, or anything like that, but you really will be better in the long run simply copying off the files you want/need, and then reformatting the system.

The advantage to such an approach is that you've just cleaned off all of the personal data that might have been on there. Not only that, but you'll also remove software from the system that the new owner of the system may not have been licensed to use.

Hello,

Agree that booting to OS 9 is your best option... but some of the late model G4's and newer no longer boot directly to OS 9. They are OS X only machines. You might not have that option.

Also, it is a great idea to format before the sale is complete, so that any personal traces on the machine will not migrate into foreign hands.

Christian

Thanks for your help!!

Hi christian, My friend did find some OS 10.3 can we use that to reboot? And is it hard to do? Thanks

Hello,

No problem. I wonder if she has a buyer in mind for the laptop. I am in the market for one...

Christian

If it works she said that I could have it.....free!! I'll offer her something though. But a power book like that is worth how much? I would to give her fair market price. Was bought this year maybe april 2004. thanks

I just bought a Powerbook G4 back in June. Could you tell us the specs of your system... we can have a ballpark estimate.


Ed

15 inch, 1.5ghz, 512 ram and a pretty aluminum case with soft bag to carry it in!