AboutJeffrey J. Wrobel Expertise I can answer OS compatibility questions, from OS 7 to OS X 10.5.x Leopard. I have extensive experience in software installation, use, and troubleshooting as well as many aspects of high level hardware repair. Any questions about peripherals and their Mac-compatibility are also welcome. I am very current in all aspects of the Max OS, while having an excellent breadth of knowledge of older machines. My work keeps me in constant contact with Mac suppliers, products, and problems, enabling me to not only draw on my past experience, but also to add to that experience every day. Living in Rhode Island with family near Cape Cod, Mass has proven to be a bit lacking in Mac popularity (Yankees are slow to change), but momentum is building for Apple.
Experience
Past/Present clients My life experience has taken me from the US Army to working with the criminally insane. Pursued a philosophy degree while working in pyschology, then ended up doing graphic design, marketing modular construction products, and ultimately starting the computer business that I now own. At 41 years old, I plan to make my triumphant return to college and get a master's degree in philosophy.
Clients include a multi-million dollar international manufacturing firm, a nationwide jewelry/gemstone distributor, numerous town libraries, 2 school districts, a few celebrities, a famous author, a prominent film maker, Brown University & RISD faculty and students, and numerous small businesses and individuals in Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and Boston. I also have a nationwide Powerbook/iBook/Macbook repair program and I sell refurbished Mac parts. The growth of my company, which was a record-breaker in 2007, has been a direct result of my customer service and the experience gained through helping the folks that use All Experts.
Expert: Jeffrey J. Wrobel Date: 5/29/2008 Subject: lost master password file vault
Question dear sir, for some reason or another, one morning, after my wife did something with image browser on her macbook, the machine did not recognize our regular password, and we have lost our master password. is there any way to recover the data? I would rather send the machine to you than try to fiddle around with it, please advise. thank you.
Answer Dear Steven,
I'd be happy to help you figure this out. You need to let me know what program you were using. I'm thinking Preview because that is the only thing that would be a native "image browser." Unfortunately, the master password, once engaged, is not reversible or recoverable, the data is also locked up tight.
That said, you should be able to reset your regular password by starting up with the OS X install disk that came with the Mac. Power up and immediately insert the disc. Hold down the "C" key and keep it held down until you see the gray apple and spinning segmented circle underneath. Release the C key and let it start up. Once it starts up, choose English and then it will go to the first installer screen. Look up to the menu bar on top of the screen and select UTILITIES and choose RESET PASSWORD. Choose your account user name and type in a new, easily recalled password. Retype it and click on the OKAY or SAVE button.
Then you can go to the Apple in the upper left and choose Restart. You can also go to the FILE pull-down menu and choose quit. It will then ask you to either go to the Startup Disk preferences to choose your startup or just shut down. Go to the startup disk prefs and choose the main HD (not the DVD again), then click on the RESTART button. If your machine tries to startup from the DVD, just let it go and when it comes to the language chooser, choose English and then just restart and hold down the OPTION button when the screen turns black. Hold it down until you see the two startup disks (the DVD and your hard drive). Choose your Hard Drive and hit return and see if you can login.
If the RESET PASSWORD utility does not work for some reason, write back and we will explore your options. Without the original Master Password with File Vault turned ON, your options will be very limited but I will be glad to help you, okay?
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Wrobel
