Deleting Administrator Accounts

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Level 1

150 points

Deleting Administrator Accounts

I am inheriting a computer from someone and I want to change the Administrator account. I have the old user's password and I can change the name of the account, however I cannot change the short name, which is the name that appears in my sidebar. I researched the MAC help feature, and it says in order to change the short name, the account must be deleted and a new one created. This account is the only account on the computer and is the Main Admin account, so how do I delete it and start over?

PowerMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Nov 16, 2005 10:10 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Rich Fleming

Level 6

13,420 points

Nov 16, 2005 10:16 AM in response to corey cluff

This account is the only
account on the computer and is the Main Admin
account, so how do I delete it and start over?

~ Log in as the account you wish to delete.
~ Create a new account with Admin privileges.
~ Log out of the account you wish to delete (don't use fast user switching to switch accounts.... make sure you log out completely.)
~ Log back in as your newly created user with Admin rights.
~ Delete the old admin account.

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Answer 2

corey cluff Author

Level 1

150 points

Nov 16, 2005 10:38 AM in response to Rich Fleming

that worked, thanks! however, now when I start up and am prompted to enter my password, it still has the name of the original user in th prompt box. It says " 'Old User's' Computer". So even though I have successfully deleted teh old user, now how do I change the name of the computer?

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Answer 3

Nov 16, 2005 10:41 AM in response to corey cluff

You change the computer name by modifying your System Preferences.

Open up System Preferences and go into the Sharing pane.

I believe there is a field there where you can modify the computer name.

(I don't have my Mac in front of me, so this answer is from memory. Might not be the Sharing pane, but it's one of the panes in System Prefs.)

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Answer 4

corey cluff Author

Level 1

150 points

Nov 16, 2005 10:42 AM in response to Rich Fleming

that worked, thanks! however, now when I start up and am prompted to enter my password, it still has the name of the original user in th prompt box. It says " 'Old User's' Computer". So even though I have successfully deleted teh old user, now how do I change the name of the computer?

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Answer 5

corey cluff Author

Level 1

150 points

Nov 16, 2005 10:45 AM in response to Rich Fleming

That solved it. Thanks rich, you've been extremely helpful!

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Answer 6

Nov 16, 2005 10:46 AM in response to corey cluff

No problem at all. Glad I could help.

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