New OS X Install - now it won't recognise my password

[Kathryn McCro]

I installed Panther on my laptop so that I can use my iPod. Once the install was complete my laptop went to reboot and when it asked me for my user name and password I inserted my usual info. my laptop won't recognise my user name and password now so I can't get into it at all. Please help!! I installed Panther on my G4 powerbook

 

[Dusky]

You can reset the password. Here's how:

To reset the password, insert the Panther CD/DVD into your Mac.
Restart the mac, and hold down the 'C' key until you see the APPLE appear.
It will boot to the CD.
When it finally boots up, There is an option under the menu for 'Reset Password'.

Source: http://www.macosx.com/content/faq.php/q16648/Password-After-X-Panther-Installation.html

 

[nixgeek]

Have you tried using the short username and the password you entered? OS X has two options: your normal name and your short name (aka unix username). Usually when setting up OS X, once you enter the normal name, it automatically creates a short username from the normal one (Ex: "John Smith" turns into "johnsmith" for the short name).

Try using the short name and the password you entered and see if that works.