I need someone with knowledge of mac to help me sort out my computer that i bought from ebay. I am completely computer illiterate,at the moment it is just an expensive juke box, i cannot load software or use the internet, something about a password that i do not have tortures my life, as it had a previous owner (not the guy that sold it to me) there is no way of me knowing or finding out this password, any help or useful ideas would be much appreciated as i am going a little mad, thank you, louise x

My suggestion is you forget the internet pass word. Uninstall the software and find a disk on a magazine or some mac software you can put on CD to install a new internet service.

I now thats a bit vauge, but i hope it helps

Can you give me a few more details about the computer, I'm mac based and I've got some software knocking around.
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/ are useful for info.

Hi loulashes. I'm betting you are running OS 10.x and it is asking for the root password when you go to install something right?

This is the easiest way to fix that. Find your OS 10 install disc, pop it in your computer, shut it down and then restart holding down the C key on your keyboard. Once you have booted off the disc go to the Install menu and select the "Password Reset" option. Put in your new password. After you are done with that restart again and when it asks for your password enter that new one.

If you have any more problems post here :)

thank you all for your help, Ill try it later and post another message if i have any more problems

genesiscouch, i tried what you said with no luck, i needed a password to use the disc but it may still be me being completely useless with computers

Did you boot up off the disc? It shouldn't ask for a password if you are booting up off of it. Start your computer, put the disc in (don't click on it or open it), shut down your computer, push the power button to restart and immediately press down the "c" key on your keyboard. You should hear the disc spinning momentarily and then it will boot up off that disc and give you an installation menu. Go to the menu on the top bar and find the password reset option.

Let me know what happens exactly...