Can't change computer name, local hostname, etc.

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Level 1

8 points

Can't change computer name, local hostname, etc.

High Sierra, mid-2013 MacBook Air 11 inch

So, I've had this problem since I got this computer (second hand): I can't update/change the computer name, hostname, netbios name (not that I care about this one), etc. Regardless of which method I use, within a second or so, it reverts back to the previous name.

Example: in the Sharing section of System Preferences, I update the Computer Name from fubaz to fubar. I can literally watch the Computer Name update, 1 second pause, then immediately revert back fubaz.

I've tried via the GUI:

System Preferences -> Sharing -> Computer Name -> Edit

I've tried via command line:

sudo scutil --set ComputerName fubar

sudo scutil --set HostName fubar

sudo scutil --set LocalHostName fubar

I've flushed the DNS cache, rebooted, repaired permissions, made sure the name is less than 15 characters, performed all necessary macOS updates (this issues has followed through multiple OS updates), etc.

I would watch the logs as I'm trying this, to get more info, but I'm not sure which log I should be looking at.

Has anyone run into this before?

Thanks,

Sarah

Posted on Mar 4, 2019 2:07 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

John Lockwood

Level 6

13,691 points

Mar 7, 2019 7:25 AM in response to saamix

I have seen this behaviour when there was already another computer on the same network with the name you are trying to change to.

The Mac you are making the change on will process the change then discover it conflicts with another computer and undo the change.

Check to see if this applies. A way to test would be to first disconnect from all network connections which in theory would prevent the Mac seeing any other computer.

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Answer 2

Mar 5, 2019 5:56 AM in response to saamix

Good that it’s working now...

FWIW, here’s what Apple suggests of the original owner...

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support

This clears existing software and settings and attachments and profiles and subscriptions and Apple IDs, and brings the new owner through the “welcome” sequence...

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Answer 3

saamix Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2019 9:28 PM in response to saamix

Success.

The easiest and fastest (and maybe only) solution was to just wipe the drive and start over. Working fine now...and upgraded to Mojave.

Thanks all.

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

246,371 points

Mar 4, 2019 2:33 PM in response to saamix

Hi Sarah, just have Console open when you try a GUI change.

Never seen or heard of this before.

To find out if it's system wide or user specific, try this...

Open System Preferences>Users & Groups, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.

Does it work in the new account?

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Answer 5

saamix Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2019 6:46 PM in response to BDAqua

Hey there,

It does the same thing under a new admin user as well.

I executed the same commands and watched the console as I did it (both in the GUI and via command line)...completely non-descript log entries.

It shows the commands being executed with the user (i.e., my admin account) requesting the Computer Name change (e.g., fubaz to fubar), then there's a lag of about 2 milliseconds per the log, and then it shows the user (my admin account, again) requesting the same change back (fubar, back to the original fubaz), even though I obviously didn't try to change it back.

Definitely makes no sense.

Through some alternate Google searching I came upon this thread which, while not identical to my issues, is close enough that I'm going to toast VRAM/PRAM (not sure which one is used on this model, given its year) and see if it's fixed or do a clean install if necessary:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/260994/mac-book-pro-2012-model-my-sharing-name-automatically-changes

I'll report back, for anyone that's interested.

Thanks for the reply,

Sarah

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Answer 6

Mar 4, 2019 7:22 PM in response to saamix

I’m here going to assume you didn't originally install this, and that you started using an existing macOS installation and apps and profiles and related settings; that you didn't go through the initial “welcome to Mac” macOS setup. If this assumption is correct...

Offload everything, back it all up again to be sure, create a bootable USB installer, wipe the whole hard disk or SSD and partition it as GPT, and reinstall the most recent version of macOS, and configure this under your Apple ID, and the use Migration Assistant to re-load your files.

All sorts of strange stuff can be left over, app and system upgrades can be a problem, and prefious settings can be preserved...

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Answer 7

saamix Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2019 8:00 PM in response to MrHoffman

You're correct; this was a "here, I don't want this laptop anymore, take it" kind of deal from a friend who thought they'd like the small form factor of the 11 inch Air, but ended up hating it.

I'm in the middle of a backup right now, as nothing came of resetting NVRAM/PRAM (as I suspected).

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