Cannot change user to administrator

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Level 1

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Cannot change user to administrator

Recently my only admin account got reset to standard, so I went about reseting the root password as described in the support section, only now I cannot get any account to change to administrators. When I open System Preferences, I can unlock it with the root password, and I check the box to change my account to an administrator. Then I box pops up that says I need to log out then back in for it to take effect. So I do and when I open Preferences again, I'm back to standard. Also, I tried to create a new admin account, and when it finished creating, it was a standard.

Does anyone have any experience with this problem, or have any idea on how to solve it? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Daniel

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 11, 2009 1:49 PM

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Answer 1

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V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Mar 11, 2009 2:04 PM in response to DanielWTJ

run the following command in terminal

dscl . read /groups/admin GroupMembership

it should list current admin users. what's the outcome?

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Answer 2

DanielWTJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 11, 2009 2:21 PM in response to V.K.

<dscl_cmd> DS Error: -14136 (eDSRecordNotFound)

That's the output of the command

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Answer 3

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Mar 11, 2009 2:26 PM in response to DanielWTJ

that means that the directory services record for the admin group is corrupt. I've seen this a number of times. you have two choices.
1. do an archive and install.
2. you can fix the record for the admin group but it has to be done from Single User mode. if you are up to it see this post for details.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8011416#8011416

make sure to read through the whole thread and enter ALL commands.

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Answer 4

biovizier

Level 5

7,925 points

Mar 11, 2009 2:39 PM in response to V.K.

This might be a little bit easier as an alternative to #2, especially since the "root" account has already been enabled:

While logged in as "root" (i.e. "System Administrator"), try using the "Go" > "Go to Folder…" menu in the "Finder" to navigate to the hidden "/private/var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/groups" folder and see if there is a file called "admin.plist" there.

If not, open a second "Finder" window and go to the "/System/Library/DirectoryServices/DefaultLocalDB/Default/groups" folder, copy the "admin.plist" file from there to the "groups" folder in the first window.

Then reboot (this seems to be required), log back in as "System Administrator" and see if it is possible to continue from step 5 of:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1278

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Answer 5

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Mar 11, 2009 4:26 PM in response to biovizier

you are right, this should be much easier! I never thought of this option.

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Answer 6

DanielWTJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 11, 2009 6:00 PM in response to V.K.

Thanks for all your help, I'm all fixed up! I ended up using VK's first suggestion, because I was already started with it... But thanks both for your help!

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