User name already exists

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Level 1

11 points

User name already exists

During the process of creating a new account, my Finder stopped responding and I had to restart my Mac. On logging in, the new account was missing from the login list - so I logged in with my original one.
Upon further investigation, there wasn't a new Home folder either - so I started to make the new account yet again. But this time I got an error saying the account name is already in use.

Since there is no Home folder yet, my guess is that this new name is already known by my system. I want to use it anyhow, so I'd love to know where I can delete these data.

I've done my part of the obvious (Repair permissions, Restart...) and spent quite some time with the people of AppleCare, to no result so far.

Can anyone here help me out, please ? TIA

MacPro 2x2.66 Dual-Core, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jul 9, 2010 9:16 AM

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Answer 1

agv Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 9, 2010 10:04 AM in response to macjack

In Accounts, I see my 2 existing accounts, no sign of the new one that was in the making.
In HD/Users, there's 2 Home folders, one for each existing accounts, no Home Folder of the new account that was in the making.

When I try to make a new account, I can't use the same full name nor the same accountname as the ones I was using while trying to make a 3rd account : both result in an error message. As far as I can see, this is the only place this new-account-to-be is known.

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Answer 2

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jul 9, 2010 11:48 AM in response to agv

Launch the Terminal app in /Applications/Utilities/. In the window that pops up, type in this command, substituting the name you gave the new user for <new user name>, and hit the return key:

*sudo /usr/bin/dscl . -delete "/Users/<new user name>"*

at the Password: prompt, carefully type in your admin user password, since it doesn't show up in the window, and hit the return key. That should allow you to use the Accounts prefPane to create the account again.

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Answer 3

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jul 9, 2010 1:07 PM in response to agv

Yes, you need the double-quotes so it can handle the path correctly.
Use the account's shortname.
The password for the account you're logged into.
Mistyped password results in a *Sorry, try again.* error message.
If successful, you should get nothing but a prompt back.
Run this one afterwards to see if the user's listed:

*dscacheutil -q user |grep "user shortname"*

If nothing comes back except the prompt, the user's not in the list of users.

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Answer 4

agv Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 9, 2010 10:21 AM in response to macjack

I was rather hoping to find it somewhere in an obscure file deep down in the System Library.

Re-install, even with my TimeMachine backup, isn't an option anymore - this MBP had a new HD and 3 clean installs already in it's first month. I'm not happy.

But thanks for the suggestions so far.

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Answer 5

agv Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 9, 2010 12:48 PM in response to baltwo

This sounds like the real thing, but at the same time a little scary for an average user such as myself.
So to make sure :

- do I include the " characters of the syntax ?
- do I insert the full name or the account name ? (because they both give the error of being in use)
- the password would be the one from my admin account I logged in with, right ?
- IF I mistype this password, what would happen if anything ?
- IF I do everything right or even wrong, is there any kind of (positive) feedback from within Terminal, like "User succesfully deleted", "Operation failed" ?

Sorry for asking so much, but I don't feel confortable on this MBP anymore 😟

Many thanks, baltwo !

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Answer 6

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jul 9, 2010 9:32 AM in response to agv

What do you see in System Preferences > Accounts?
What is in /Users folder?

-mj

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Answer 7

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jul 9, 2010 10:12 AM in response to agv

I think you may have to opt for a different full name/ short name, or re-install OS 10.5.x.
Do you have a good backup to migrate from, or a Time Machine disk you can restore from.

-mj

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Answer 8

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jul 9, 2010 10:31 AM in response to agv

There may be a file deep in the bowels of the OS, that when prodded will relinquish your previously entered name and short name. But I never heard of it.

-mj

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Answer 9

agv Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 9, 2010 10:03 PM in response to baltwo

Mission accomplished - thank you very much !

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Answer 10

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jul 9, 2010 10:52 PM in response to agv

Thanks for the feedback. Good computing.

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