HT1528: Enabling and using the "root" user in Mac OS X

Learn about Enabling and using the "root" user in Mac OS X
deadflowers57

Q: At http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1428, how do I accomplish Step 3. "Navigate to the /Users folder." once I am logged in as the root?

In "OS X: How to change user account name or home directory name" (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1428) how do I accomplish Step 3. "Navigate to the /Users folder." once I am logged in as the root? I am showing "System Administrator" as logged in. I am running OS X 10.8.5 12F45. Thanks!

 

Message was edited by: deadflowers57

Posted on Jan 6, 2014 7:52 PM

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Q: At http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1428, how do I accomplish Step 3. "Navigate to the /Users folder." once I am logged in as the roo ... more

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jan 6, 2014 7:53 PM in response to deadflowers57
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    Jan 6, 2014 7:53 PM in response to deadflowers57

    The article assumes you know how to operate in command line mode. It seems you don't. Perhaps you should find someone nearby to help you or take the computer in to an Apple retailer.

     

    In order to move to another directory you need to enter:

     

    cd /path_to then press RETURN. In the case of your query: cd /Users/user_name then press RETURN.

  • by deadflowers57,

    deadflowers57 deadflowers57 Jan 6, 2014 8:01 PM in response to deadflowers57
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2014 8:01 PM in response to deadflowers57

    "The article assumes you know how to operate in command line mode. It seems you don't."... The understatement of my binary life. All I want to do is change the name on my "house" from the name of the computer shop that re-installed OS X for me after my A1229 Macbook Pro crashed while trying to install Mavericks to my name. What's the easiest luddite way to do this please? Thanks!

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jan 6, 2014 8:10 PM in response to deadflowers57
    Level 10 (271,392 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 6, 2014 8:10 PM in response to deadflowers57

    Unfortunately, as simple as one might think it should be, it is not trivial to do. Here's another way:

     

    Apple's support article HT1428: OS X: How to change user account name or home directory name, still refers to the old and buggy support article HT1528: Enabling and using the "root" user in Mac OS X. No one should ever need to enable the root user. This procedure is overly complex and buggy. If you really and truly need to act as the root user, use the Terminal and run the "sudo" command.

     

    Here is a better procedure for changing a user account short name that does not require the root user:

     

    1. Create a new Administrator account
    2. Log in as the new Administrator account
    3. Run Terminal.app and enter the following commands:


             cd /Users

        sudo mv oldshortname newshortname


       
    Keep in mind that the shortname must be all lowercase, with no spaces, and only contain letters.

     

    1. Use the Users & Groups pane (Accounts pane in Mac OS X v10.6.8 or earlier) in System Preferences to create a new user with the Account name or Short Name that you used in the previous step.
    2. Click OK when "A folder in the Users folder already has the name 'account name'. Would you like to use that folder as the Home folder for this user account?" appears. Note: This will correct the ownership of all files in the Home folder, and avoid permissions issues with the contents.
    3. Use the Users & Groups pane (Accounts pane in Mac OS X v10.6.8 or earlier) in System Preferences to delete the old user
    4. Choose Log Out from the Apple menu.
    5. Log in as the newly created user. You should be able to access all of your original files (on the desktop, in Documents, and in the other folders of this Home).
    6. After verifying that your data is as expected, you can delete the original user account via the Users & Groups pane (Accounts pane in Mac OS X v10.6.8 or earlier).

     

    I think this method is even easier:

     

    How to Create a New User Account if You Cannot Access Your Admin Account

     

    Reboot the computer. At the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-S keys to start into Single-user Mode.

    You will boot to a black screen with scrolling white text, release the keys and wait for it finish.

     

    Enter the following lines at the command prompt pressing RETURN after each:

     

    mount -uw /

    rm /var/db/.applesetupdone

    reboot

     

    After you reboot the computer you will be taken to the Setup Assistant. When you get to the point where you are asked to setup your new user account, create a new admin account. Be sure to name this user account something different than the admin user account that already exists on the system. When you finish the Setup Assistant, it will automatically log you into the new account.

     

    You can transfer your files from the old account to the new one. See: Transferring files from one User Account to another. Once you have moved all your files into your new account, you can delete the old account using Accounts or Users & Groups preferences.

  • by deadflowers57,

    deadflowers57 deadflowers57 Jan 6, 2014 8:30 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2014 8:30 PM in response to Kappy

    Thanks very much. I'll try this on the weekend...

  • by andyBall_uk,

    andyBall_uk andyBall_uk Jan 7, 2014 7:49 AM in response to deadflowers57
    Level 7 (20,495 points)
    Jan 7, 2014 7:49 AM in response to deadflowers57

    "Navigate to the /Users folder."

     

    You just use Finder to open the folder, it should be in the root of the drive, along with Applications, Library, and System.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jan 7, 2014 9:38 AM in response to andyBall_uk
    Level 10 (271,392 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 7, 2014 9:38 AM in response to andyBall_uk

    Andy,

     

    I believe he's in single-user mode.

  • by andyBall_uk,

    andyBall_uk andyBall_uk Jan 7, 2014 12:22 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 7 (20,495 points)
    Jan 7, 2014 12:22 PM in response to Kappy

    Kappy.

     

    Nothing at step 3, or anywhere else in the linked article, suggests using SUM, and " I am showing "System Administrator" as logged in "  doesn't sound like it... although you may be right.