[4rmPC2G4]

Hello,

Im new to this forum, and im new to Apple..... I was in search of a Laptop, and a friend of mine was selling her old one... she got it from someone as well. So im not sure who the original owner was... I dont have any CDs with it. Its just the Laptop and the power supply. I turned it on for the first time last night just to mess around and check it out. I havent bought it yet, because i told her i wanted to test it out. I tryed to change the date and time. and it asked for the Admin User name and password. Is there any way to change the Admin account to set it to my own. becasue im sure this wont be the only time i need it. Like i said, i dont have any of the cds with it. And while we are on the subject. Whats a good price to pay for a Apple g4? lol. Its a nice little laptop. and i think it will serve its purpose, for school, music, and interenet... my PC is my gaming rig

Thank you for any help in advance. i appriciate it all.

-Jarid

[Will_5600]

well i would ask the person your buying it from if they know the admin password and how much they are selling it for and if they have the cds with it if they tell u what the admin password is and give u the cds and its a good price then u should buy it if there are no cds and no admin password or an admin password and no cds then i sergest you dont buy it and get an Mac Book from apple www.apple.com/macbook good price for the mac books

[chinajon]

A new set of system disks will enable you to reset the Mac. Format the HD and enter in your own info...
I hope it is really her used Mac, and not a stolen one!
If you need to run windows, get the new MacBook Pro. Or not pro if you don't need all the power. You will enjoy the Mac. The new system coming in Q1 2007 will be awesome. If you can wait to purchase a new computer, then wait. But a good one now is a used G4.
Go check Apple Refurbish to check the prices of other used Macs. Maybe they have a G4. Also check Small Dog Electronics. They have used Macs. At least get a price comparison.
My wife uses the 12 in PowerBook. Loves it.

[4rmPC2G4]

Well, I took a look at the prices on those macbooks. and although they are great laptops and for a good price for what your getting, i really dont have that kinda money to spend. Im a college student living on my own, So money is a big issue right now. And i really would like a laptop for school work, so that im not stuck at home all the time. I dont need anything really fancy. Just something that iwll let me access the interent, play my music, and that can run a Word processor. I asked and she doesnt have the system disks or the admin password. She ended up buying it off of someone, and then got a new one so she told me she will sell it to me for 400$

Is there anyway for me to come accros system disks? download the software, or just buy a new set?

Thanks for the replys and the help.

[chinajon]

Originally Posted by 4rmPC2G4

Well, I took a look at the prices on those macbooks. and although they are great laptops and for a good price for what your getting, i really dont have that kinda money to spend. Im a college student living on my own, So money is a big issue right now. And i really would like a laptop for school work, so that im not stuck at home all the time. I dont need anything really fancy. Just something that iwll let me access the interent, play my music, and that can run a Word processor. I asked and she doesnt have the system disks or the admin password. She ended up buying it off of someone, and then got a new one so she told me she will sell it to me for 400$

Is there anyway for me to come accros system disks? download the software, or just buy a new set?

Thanks for the replys and the help.

There are several possible hacks to get into the system and enable your access to the Mac. These leave you without some of the disks you will want to use eventually. So, bite the bullet and either get a used mac with a set of disks, or get the disks for your mac. There has to be other iBooks for sale. Look in the want ads.

If you want to go ahead with the one you are looking at now, first check around to see if you can find a set of used system disks. What you are looking for is Mac OS X 10.4.6 (Single User) which sells new for $129.00. Check with the school library, put up a sign on the bulletin board. Check local computer repair shops. Check the local computer sales and service shops, Circuit City or what ever. Check the swap meet.

Once you have the system disks, you will install the system and there is a time when you can reset the admin password.

You can order direct from Apple if you have a credit card. But you will pay full price and tax. Look around first.
The Apple Store: http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/

Enjoy your new Mac!

[VegasACF]

Also check with your school. Many (most?) schools offer hardware and software at greatly reduced prices, OSes included.

You might also consider a refurbished Apple computer. The savings are often huge, and the warranty is the same as a new one.

[Pensacola Tiger]

$400 is too much to pay, considering that you don't get the OS X discs and that nobody seems to know the admin password.

Although I prefer Apple and OS X over Windows, I'd suggest that you look at IBM's refurbished laptops, as there is an R32 for sale there right now for under $350, with XP and a three month warranty.

[shyataroo]

There is one ther way of doing it. take it to a apple store, tell them that you just purchased this laptop (used) and it didn't come with a disc ask them to re-format it and they will do so on the spot, and ask you what you want your user name/password to be (or if you want you can leave the password option alone)

[4rmPC2G4]

Is that really gonna work? didnt think it would be that easy. I think ill try it this weekend. Thanks for the info! appriciate the help

[shyataroo]

Apple stores will do it, its an apple product. You may want to make an appontment ahead of time just incase.

[KateCee]

Another thing to consider with the $400 pricetag - does it come already equipped with an Airport wireless card? If not, and you eventually want wireless internet access, you'll end up paying $60-$100 for a wireless card that, depending on your Mac-savy, you may need to have installed by a professional.

I paid $385 on Ebay recently for a used G3 with an Airport card OS X panther, and Microsoft Office already installed. The first unit I was sent worked great for 2 weeks, then the logic board crashed and the computer was worthless. Thankfuly, the seller sent me another unit - the 2nd unit has a few problems (I think the backlight is on its way out), but that comes with age.

What size hard drive and RAM memory does this G4 boast? That's another big consideration. If those are decent, and it includes an airport wireless card and you can get the admin password sorted out, I'd say go for it.