Mac os x 10.6.8

Nancy, I believe with 10.6 you need the install disc. You can call Apple and request the original discs that your Mac originally shipped with and they'll ship them to you for a reasonable fee.

Not that I'm aware of.

Thinking about it more. First make a backup in case something goes wrong.

Move everything you want to save into the shared folder. Create a new user with administrator privileges and then move everything from the shared folder to your new folder. Test to make sure that everything works. If all is as you want delete the previous user.

With 10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 if you don’t have an install disk check this article. http://www.macyourself.com/2009/08/03/how-to-reset-your-mac-os-x-password-withou t-an-installer-disc/

As to changing the name here are the instructions from Apple on changing user short name or home directory name. I've used this on a couple of used MacBooks I've bought on eBay. And remember to go into System Preferences>Sharing and change the Computer Name in there. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428

Thanks for that link frederic1943, got it bookmarked!