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Re-Naming the HD Error

I followed these steps ...


http://www.cultofmac.com/126621/how-to-move-or-rename-your-mac-home-folder-macrx /


and then at the terminal part, I entered:


sudo mv /Users/sallyreid /Users/MacMini

(sallyreid was the old/current name I wanted changed)


It asked for a password. I entered it and then I got a message that says:


no such file or directory


Since I didn't know what else to do, I restarted my mac and ofcourse I have issues becuase the process wasn't fixed. What do I do? How do I fix this?


I have an 24" iMac 10.7.5 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. 6GB memory.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3), 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo/ 3 GM 667 Mhz

Posted on Nov 11, 2012 12:29 PM

3 replies

Nov 11, 2012 1:32 PM in response to Community User

Before following these steps, you may wish to back up your important data.

For Mac OS X v10.5 or later

1. Enable the root user.

2. Log in as root.

3. Navigate to the /Users folder.

4. Select the Home folder with the short name you want to change, and rename it just like you would rename any folder. Keep in mind that the shortname must be all lowercase, with no spaces, and only contain letters.

5. Use the Users & Groups pane (Accounts pane in Mac OS X v10.6.8 or earlier) in System Preferences to create a new user with the Account name or Short Name that you used in the previous step.

6. Click OK when "A folder in the Users folder already has the name 'account name'. Would you like to use that folder as the Home folder for this user account?" appears. Note: This will correct the ownership of all files in the Home folder, and avoid permissions issues with the contents.

7. Choose Log Out from the Apple menu.

8. Log in as the newly created user. You should be able to access all of your original files (on the desktop, in Documents, and in the other folders of this Home).

9. After verifying that your data is as expected, you can delete the original user account via the Users & Groups pane (Accounts pane in Mac OS X v10.6.8 or earlier).

10. Disable the root user


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428

Nov 11, 2012 1:58 PM in response to BDAqua

Enable the root user? Is that the main user? I'm currently logged into the new user name.


What's the short name? or where is it?


I'm also on 10.7.5. Will these steps work since #5 says 10.6.8 or earlier?


How do I check to make sure that this worked?

http://www.cultofmac.com/126621/how-to-move-or-rename-your-mac-home-folder-macrx /


Is there some kind of way I can check? I'm just nervous that since I got that message, something is or will be messed up. Right now, all I can see that is messed up is the dropbox settings.

Re-Naming the HD Error

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