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General discussion

Administrator privileges

Dec 19, 2007 5:17PM PST

Somehow I do not seem to be recorded as Administrator on my MacBook Pro .All I seem to have is a Usert Name and a Password - which are not accepted when I want to make certain changes. I have no idea how this came about. I would be most grateful for advice as to how I may create myself (the only User!) as Administrator.

Discussion is locked

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Administrator
Dec 19, 2007 8:54PM PST

By default, if there is only one user on the Mac, that account has Admin rights.

Is it possible that you are not using the correct password and not that you don't have admin rights.

Take a look at the Accounts pane in System prefs and check that there is a check mark next to the option to "allow this user to administer this computer"

Let us know. If there is not, and you cannot get a check mark in there, let us know. It is possible to reset all the passwords.

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Administator
Dec 19, 2007 9:28PM PST

I have checked the Password I am using and it is correct for the User - it conforms to the password clue.
In System Preferences the box you mention is not available (greyed out). I am the only User of this machine. My picture and name appear in System Preferences Accounts as "Peter Mowatt Standard" I seem to be in a "Catch22" situation !
Thanks for your help - I'm sure you'll help me to overcome the problem.

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I have emailed you instructions
Dec 20, 2007 12:21AM PST

on this procedure

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Administrator
Dec 20, 2007 5:24AM PST

Mr Macfixit:
I am afraid I have'nt been very successful ! I did as you advised and changed all the passwords. While doing this I noticed that every time I typed "a", it came out as a "q" ( I have a french layout keyboard). When I restarted I found that nothing had changed. I was still the only named person in Accounts, as "Standard" and my new password - even trying "q" where it should be "a" - achieved nothing.
Having backed up everything, I thought I would try a full re- install from my Leopard disk. I inserted the disk, clicked "restart" and it asked me for an Administrator Name and Password. Since I know neither Name nor Password, I am now stymied.
Are you able to advise me any further, please? I would mention that I do have my Tiger Disks. Would they be a way out, do you think?

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Don't you just had that?
Dec 20, 2007 7:19AM PST

OK,
Instead of inserting the CD and clicking on Install OS X, try this.

For the FULL install: (Note. you will destroy ALL your data on the HD when you run this option.
If you could possibly find the Restore disks that came with it, no matter how old, you will still have the iLife suite. iLife was NOT included on the Tiger disks.

Assumption 1 = you have the Restore Disks.
Insert the CD/DVD and then shut down. Reboot the machine and hold down the "C" key The installer "should" treat the drive as a new drive and not ask for permission.
Choose Format (Erase) and Install). When the Customize screen appears, click Customize and remove ALL the languages that you do not want.
Proceed from there.
On completion, your machine should be as it was when you first received it. It will need to be setup again. Hopefully you have a broadband connection.

Assumption 2 = you only have Tiger installation disks. (Not restore disks)
Do exactly the same as the above but know that when all is completed, you will NOT have iPhoto, iMovie or iDVD.
Not the end of the world, everything is replaceable.

You will almost certainly need to update whatever version of the OS you install from those disks.

Let us know how you got on with that.
Once again. ALL your data will be erased when you choose Format (Erase) and Install

Good Luck

P

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Administrator
Dec 20, 2007 3:01PM PST

Mr MacFixit-
I have discovered that this is a well-known problem when people upgrade to Leopard! It is on the Apple Site - Support -under 306876 19 December 2007.
Their User name changes to Standard just as mine has.
However, after trying to do what Apple is advising, I am afraid it has made no difference.I use the disk, I go to Utilities, I select Mac HD, I select Administrator (Root), I enter a Password, save, quit the Install Disk, restart my computer as normal,and WHEN I GO TO ACCOUNTS, NOTHING HAS CHANGED; I cannot access any Other Account.
Incidentally, even when I tried to erase and re-install with the Tiger Disk, it prompted me for an Administrator Name and Password - which, of course, I couldn't give.
I am continuing to bother you with my problem because I want to solve it, obviously, but also I'm sure it interests you now that Apple has acknowledged that it is a common one when upgrading to Leopard.

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How interesting
Dec 20, 2007 8:52PM PST

I see no reference in your posts that this problem occurred after you had upgraded to Leopard. That puts a whole new light on the subject. Thanks for that!

OK, you say that you have changed all the passwords. I assume that you are still using the Peter Mowatt name when it asks for an admin name.
Try using Administrator as the name and use the password you entered when you changed them.

Changing the passwords does not change the account type. You still have to enter the name of someone who has admin rights.

I'll do some more research on this and get back to you. Meanwhile, try the above.


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That Problem
Dec 20, 2007 10:29PM PST

OK, I have done more research and note that, from what you posted, you did not do what the article said.

Reread the article again, you will find it Here

Note that it says that after you have changed the passwords, you do NOT log in as normal.

You may have to turn OFF the automatic logon which is in the Accounts folder under your name. You need to log in as System Administrator (Root) for this to work.

Good Luck

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Administrator - That Problem!
Dec 21, 2007 5:36AM PST

mrmacfixit,
I can see, now, that you are right - I did not do things correctly, as you have pointed out. My excuse is that I did not really understand the procedures ( I am, as you know, very inexperienced; intelligent perhaps, but that cannot always make up for ignorance!) Anyway, I became so frustrated after spending 1 1/2 hours on the phone to Apple Support in London - who tried their best to talk me through the procedure of 306876, but unsuccessfully- that I concluded, with their agreement, that my only course really, was a complete Wipe and Re-install. This I have done. It takes some time, as you know, but- SUCCESS! I am now again the Administrator.
I thank you gratefully for all the time and effort you have spent on my problem.
As you say, I live in a very attractive part of France (near Perpignan) and if you are ever down this way again, I would be most pleased to make your acquaintance and partake of an "appero" or two with you.

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Way to Go,
Dec 21, 2007 5:52AM PST

A little drastic but as long as you had everything of importance backed up you should be fine.

You are now a little more experienced that you were at the start of this problem, you will soon pick up all sorts of information and be able to throw your 2 Euro's worth in with the best of them.

Thanks for the offer of an appero or two, I may surprise you one day.

Keep checking out the Mac forums and don't hesitate to post if you have a problem


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