Is a "Computer Account" the same as a User Account during new setup

Question

Is a "Computer Account" the same as a User Account during new setup

I'm new to MAC's, having been heavy entrenched in the PC World since the beginning of time. Just picked up an IMac I5 with 27/28' monitor. In the beginning the setup or inital installation program. I entered my Apple ID, which i assume is the Administrator ID??? Then i'm stumped thinking of the logic behind the next step request a Computer Account. The IMac used my email name less the @domain.name as the name. Is this just really a User Account or something else altogether?? Can i change the name assigned to this Computer Account from my email name less the @domain.name to any name for that or my Computer Account.

I guess the problem i'm dealing with, is the Computer Account the same as a User Account? Also, will this account have adminstrator privalidges??

Any other gotca's i might not understand coming up during the installation program??

Thanks, new imac user, imaci5fromtitusville

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7), Not sure exact OS level #

Posted on Oct 9, 2011 10:29 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

imaci5fromtitusville Author

Level 1

14 points

Oct 9, 2011 11:34 AM in response to baltwo

Thanks for an answer. Please understand the following, maybe it will help.

This is brand new iMac purshased yesterday. I'm following the installation procedure as listed on screen.

The only book that came with my iMac (intel) was titled "Hello". This book just instructs me to follow the installation instructions on the iMac.

During the installation, it specifically asked for my Apple ID, it stated the same ID you use for ITunes and log on to the Apple site with??

Then, the next step is to Create a Computer Account. It puts my email name, in the Name Field, and wants me to create a Password. I have not gone any further.... I assume this really is a User Account, but may be wrong. I would like to change my Name to something other than my email name (less the domain name).

Does this help at all. Thank you for your response.

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Answer 2

Oct 9, 2011 3:26 PM in response to imaci5fromtitusville

the correct answer is.... the computer account.... is the admin account with password....

once logged in, you can create the user accounts and establish privileges... it was just poor wording without a good explanations on the installations software part.

i could have used the default name, which was my email name less the @domain.name but instead i choose like a PC person would, my first name as the main computer name.

This discussion can be closed as understood and answered on my part.

Thanks for your help.

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Answer 3

Oct 9, 2011 2:44 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Ok, another update....

My iMac came with NO DISK of any kind. A wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, a tiny pull out mouse tips, and a little 4"x4" book titled "Hello".

I don't know why you want me to go into a full recovery mode??? It will let me back up as far as i want to go.

I don't know what Lion is... maybe a name for an OS. The box says i have OS X and iLife.

When i first started up the iMac, it took me through a long demostration on how to use Voice Over commands. Then it asked the typical stuff of you country, language.

The next step was to enter your current Apple ID. I went back and looked and it said it was the same ID you used for ITunes, Iphone, Iphoto, and accessed the Apple site with and even this discussion group. It said if I didn't have a Apple ID, it would let me create one.

Then the next step was to "Set Up Computer Account". I also think the wording is poor. I think, and this is what i want to know, what is this "Computer Account". I'm guessing this is really a User Account??? That is my real question.

I don't think i need to reload or anything as the back button is working fine...

Just need and explaintion about Computer Accounts. Everytime i do a search it keeps coming up with User Accounts.

Also, i bought this iMac from Best Buy and bought the extended warranty and have access to the Geek Squad for two years. I just thought i would give this forum an oppertunity to answer my question. Maybe someone that has a new iMac and went through the setup installation.

Thanks so much for you help. And yes, I live in Titusville Florida. Good guess, since there is also a Titusville PA.

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Answer 4

baltwo

Level 9

62,374 points

Oct 9, 2011 11:23 AM in response to imaci5fromtitusville

Everything you need to setup the new machine is detailed in the Everything Mac booklet. The first account is an administrator account—you need at least one to run the machine. I suggest starting over, boot into the Recovery HD, and reinstall. On first boot, create the computer/admin/user account and don't use your AppleID or email address.

See these for details:

Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
Mac 101: Mac Essentials,
Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts,
Anatomy of a Mac,
MacTips,
Switching to Mac Superguide, and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual,
Snow Leopard Edition.&

Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:

Quick Assist,
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

62,374 points

Oct 9, 2011 11:59 AM in response to imaci5fromtitusville

OK. Since this is one of those Lion-only machines, apparently they've dropped the booklet. The reason you need an AppleID and password is so you can access the Apple Store which is needed to register your machine and to restore your operating system. See About Lion Recovery. I don't have such a machine, so I had to DL Lion. That process has nothing to do with what you use when setting up the machine's admin user account (the so-called computer account, which is weird terminology to me). Unless you have a PC from which you want to migrate stuff to the Mac, you don't need the Migration Assistant. If you do, then see Migrate from PC for those details.

As before, start over by using the Recovery HD to restore the OS and recreate the user account.

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Answer 6

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,880 points

Oct 9, 2011 1:06 PM in response to imaci5fromtitusville

While I"m not going to be of much help I can make a recommendation if you can wait unti the morning or make an appointment at your local Apple Store today. I'm guessing you're in Titusville, FL the closest Apple Store is in Altamonte Springs. Book an appointment for this afternoon and and someone will be happy to walk you through the process. If that doesn't work wait until tomorrow morning and call Apple Care (the number is in your owners manual) and call them, you have 90 days of free support.

If you you want to book the appointment use the Apple Authorized Service Provider Locator to begin and then follow the screens.

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Answer 7

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,880 points

Oct 9, 2011 4:47 PM in response to imaci5fromtitusville

My iMac came with NO DISK of any kind. A wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, a tiny pull out mouse tips, and a little 4"x4" book titled "Hello".

I don't know why you want me to go into a full recovery mode??? It will let me back up as far as i want to go.

I don't know what Lion is... maybe a name for an OS. The box says i have OS X and iLife.

OK it sounds like you are on your way. OS X is the operating system of the computer and has been out for 10 years now. It has gone through many revisions, the most current is 10.7.x also called Lion. To see what version your system has click the Apple symbol in the upper left of this screen and click About This Mac, it will say OS X Version 10.6, 10.7 etc...

10.6 is Snow Leopard

10.7 is Lion and is latest version.

To keep updated under that same Apple symbol you will see Software Update, run that after the machine is set up and on the Internet. This will update your system, simply follow the on-screen instructions. I'm sure somewhere on your box it will say what version of OS X is installed on your system, you just need to look. You can find preferences for how often you want to run Software Update in System Preferences. There should be a System Preferences icon on your Dock.

Again if you run into problems use AppleCare they're great and you're dealing with someone from North America so you don't have to worry about communication issues. I would also suggest purchasing AppleCare, this will extend your warranty from 1 year to 3 years and also includes phone support. You can buy it directly from Apple or you can get it discounted by buying from Amazon, when you get it make sure you buy AppleCare for an iMac. You don't have to buy AppleCare immediately you have up to 1 year from the oringinal date of purchase. If you let it go to 366 days you're out of luck.

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Answer 8

Oct 9, 2011 11:37 AM in response to imaci5fromtitusville

One other note.... I have bypassed the Migration Assistant and will do this later as was recommended to me by a Mac friend of mine who is out of touch today.

Thanks

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Answer 9

Oct 9, 2011 6:24 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks again....

I was running 10.7.1 but it did require an update.....

All is fine and running, thank you... i look forward to my new Mac... and a member of the comunity.

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Answer 10

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,880 points

Oct 9, 2011 6:31 PM in response to imaci5fromtitusville

No surprise on the update, it's very common that new machines need a couple of upates right out of the box. If need anything else just ping.

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