title: How can I gain root access on a Mac OS X system without wiping the OS?
body: <p>My father died recently and I've inherited his Mac. I'd love to put it to use in my own life, but I don't want to wipe its brains out just so I can reconfigure it to use in my network, etc. His old files are historically important to me&mdash;I trust you can understand my desire to keep them.</p>
  
  <p>I can log in as I had an account on the machine before he passed, but that's about it.</p>