logging in to the account failed because an error occurred admin account

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logging in to the account failed because an error occurred admin account

Hi,

I am getting this message as I try to log into my account (admin & only account on my laptop) "logging in to the account failed because an error occurred admin account". I know what cause this issue, I changed the name of my hard drive by right clicking in the "Accounts" (i believe it is accounts) accessing the "Advance Options" then renaming it and it asked me to restart which I did. That is when I got that message when trying to log in with the correct password.

I've been googling for the last 4 hours and I resorted to making a post asking for help. I've read people with some success but I tried my best to follow their instructions and to no resolve. I am not familiar at all with Macs system. If you can answer with details and major breakdown. I can do a clean install but I have files I need to school that I need. Also, I dont have the disk, it did not come with my laptop when I purchased it.

However, I am OS 10.6. I have File Vault enable (which I learned is headache and a catastrophe restore). I cannot login as guest or any other account. Which, I thought I had guest enabled but it is.

I am in dire need of help, Ive google and read almost everything but not many have done what I have done to get this message by renaming the drive name.

Thank you in advance.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Apr 12, 2014 10:01 PM

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Answer 1

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Apr 13, 2014 7:46 AM in response to YattiYatti

Do you mean this ?. If so, exactly what did you change there ?.

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Answer 2

YattiYatti Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 13, 2014 1:52 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Yes, I changed the account name and home directory to match the account name from a website I followed their instructions.

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Answer 3

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Apr 13, 2014 2:28 PM in response to YattiYatti

Are you able to do this ?: Mac OS X 10.6: Starting up in single-user mode

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Answer 4

YattiYatti Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 13, 2014 5:35 PM in response to andyBall_uk

No, I can't. I am unable to log in. I am stuck at the log in screen.

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Answer 5

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Apr 13, 2014 5:47 PM in response to YattiYatti

If there's no Guest login available, and your usual one isn't working; then you'll have to shut down using the power button.

After that : try to start in Single User Mode. If you can reach the Terminal type screen there, then it may be possible to resolve this fairly easily.

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Answer 6

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Apr 13, 2014 6:19 PM in response to andyBall_uk

If you can reach SUM...

Start in Single User mode & wait for the :/ root# prompt to appear

type mount -uw / then press enter (the slash is important, and there's a space after mount, and another before the /)

again, wait for the :/ root# prompt.

now, carefully type the following

rm /var/db/AppleSetupDone

(There's a space after rm)

& press enter.

wait for the :/ root# prompt.

Then type reboot & press enter.

You should see the computer restart & play the welcome video, then see the setup screens to create a new user.

Don't transfer any data or bother entering name/address/network etc; do choose a different user name to what you did before.

You should eventually find yourself looged in as the new user you created. From there, use System Preferences - Accounts & select the old user, then revert the changes you made previously... alter the name & home directory entries to what they were before.

In Accounts - Login Options, set Automatic Login to Off; then go to the Apple menu & choose Restart... logging in as your old user when prompted.

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Answer 7

YattiYatti Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 13, 2014 9:23 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Thank you Andy. I had did the root thing before I read this and I was going to google how will I be able to log into my other account and I saw an email from your response. You saved the day!!!!

In case someone is going to need this for help. I also did "rm /var/db/.applesetupdone" (without the " and I used a period). But, do try Andy's method also. He instruction is very detailed.

THANK YOU ANDY!!!

Can I change my account name from the picture you posted and I wont run into the same problem?

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Answer 8

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Apr 14, 2014 4:46 AM in response to YattiYatti

😮 oops, my apologies; & a lesson not to post late at night after rather too many glasses of port...

It should indeed be :

rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

just as you said.

Are you back using the main account now ?.

If so, and you want to change the name : OS X: How to change user account name or home directory name covers it.

You can also do it from another admin account, but you'd have to use sudo in terminal to rename it, so there's little to be gained.

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Answer 9

YattiYatti Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 15, 2014 11:35 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Haha, you did good after glasses of port.

Yes, I am back on my main account (thank you) and i think I'll just keep the name the same. I don't want to go thru that again.

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Answer 10

dofaco

Level 1

0 points

Dec 5, 2014 1:16 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Andy,

I just wanted to let you know that this post saved my life. Thx!

I had exactly the same problem and had no idea what to do, thanks for posting the question Yatti.

Cheers guys!

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