Allow user to administer this computer"

You say you just got a MacBook Pro yesterday and set it up today, I guess that included upgrading to Mountian Lion via the AppStore correct?

Then this means it's a used machine and if you didn't erase the drive from the 10.6 disks or Internet Recovery it's possible there is a hidden account on the machine left by the previous owner.

Start all over again.

How to reformat a used Mac

Erase, formatting, OS X installs on Mac's

Yep I was suffering the same problem then I worked it out and it's really simply.

Just make sure you are logged out of the other administrator account.

So after you create the administrator accoun that you want, log out of all other accounts, log into the admin account and then you should be able to delet the other OR downgrade it to standard, if you wish to keep it

I still have the problem!

I created a new administrator account. But now they are both grey and I can't access. I can't even delete the new account.

>>It is ticked, but it is greyed out

that's normal - the system wants at least one admin user, so won't let you un-tick it for the sole account.

>>Evidently, Having that option is causing a problem cause it doesnt let me customise, install or use certail apps, functions etc, so i need that resolved.

that sounds like a seperate issue - please explain further, or were those problems resolved in a new account ? .

JoshMclove wrote:

I really dont think the apple store would sell me an used computer.

Ok, so it's a new computer with Mountain Lion, your signature needs to be updated as it says you've upgraded to Mountain Lion which would mean it's a used machine.

I have read enough about this issue and it's not so much of a problem.

When you first setup a new Mac or a fresh install of OS X (no user accounts) the first account setup is a Admin account.

There has to be a minimal of one Admin account on the machine, other accounts created can be Standard User.

Most people use the sole account and it's a Admin, so when you went to the System Preferences > Account and tried toggling on/off you can't because there has to be one Admin account on the machine.

I was trying to install Skype and it kept saying I couldn't install it because I didn't have enough privileges.

This is a separate problem likely related to your permissions being messed up on the machine.

There are two ways to reset all permissions on a Mac.

1: Via Disk Utility (Step #11) in your Applications/Utilities folder for everything non-user account related.

2: For user account permission repair, scroll down and see Step #6 here

..Step by Step to fix your Mac

Turns out to be an easy fix: You need to create another account that has admin priviledges (i.e. check "allow user to administer this computer" is checked). Then you can uncheck the one in the original account.

Sys Prefs > Users & Groups

click the lock (if it's locked) > enter current admin user + passwd

click the little "+" > check "allow user to administer this computer" (this user and password will be your new admin user)

click the icon on the account you wanted to change > uncheck "allow user to adminster this computer"

Jeff

Dr Whom-

I fear you are trolling a little too widely for unsolved problems. The last post on this thread was over two years old.

I am certain the original Poster has already found ways to cope.

I ran into this problem today. Came here looking for answers. Then figured it out. That's all.

In that case, my apologies.

Thank you for sharing your solution!

These posts will be here a long time, and other Readers may find this again by searching, just as you did. They will be able to benefit from your experience.

To change the Admin status, you must be logged in from an Admin Account, and you cannot delete the LAST Admin account.