PowerBook: I Forgot My Password for Password Security

The Password Security control panel is software designed to protect the data on the PowerBook computer's hard disk. If you forget your password, you cannot access the system because the password is written to your hard disk at the driver level.

The recommended option is to carry your PowerBook, with a proof of purchase (receipt), to an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP). Using approved Apple procedures, a technician can access the hard disk without data loss and reset the password control panel.

If you must access the hard disk without your password, it can be done at the cost of losing all the data on your hard disk. The procedure is listed below.

Warning: Following this procedure will erase all data on the hard disk.

Procedure

• Startup from the system CD or Disk Tools disk that came with your PowerBook.
• Click Cancel when the Password Security window appears. This should let the PowerBook start without the hard disk mounting to the desktop.
• Open Drive Setup, select the hard disk, and choose to initialize it.