Can I convert an standar account into an admin one since Terminal?

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Can I convert an standar account into an admin one since Terminal?

Hi, Everybody!

Trying to overcome some bugs on my MacBook, I decided to erase some folders from system and install Mac OS X from its original DVD. Bad idea. Now I only have one account, which may be the Admin one, but appears as a Standar one. I'm blocked now, cause I cannot change it, create a new admin account, activate the Root User, neither do a Software Uptade. Note I'm running now Mac OS X (10.6.3).

I hope I can avoid formatting my hard disk and all that it implies. I'm wondering if I can create a new admin account or change the actual one since Terminal, because I can run it starting up my machine from the Mac OS DVD.

Thanks for your attention and help.

MacBook (13-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 8, 2014 10:04 AM

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Answer 1

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matt00

Level 5

4,041 points

May 10, 2014 6:44 AM in response to Cauac

Hey Cauac,

Thanks for the question. Let’s see if resetting the root password resolves your issue:

Mac OS X 10.5: Administrator user changes to standard

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1278

Resolution

1. Start from your Mac OS X 10.5 Install DVD. (You do not need to install Leopard again.)

2. From the Utilities menu, choose Reset Password (do not choose Firmware Password Utility).

3. Follow the onscreen instructions to reset the root password (the root account is not the same as your account). Specifically: Select the name of the drive that Mac OS X is installed on, select the user named "System Administrator (root)" from the pop-up menu, type the password in the first field, re-enter the password in the second field, then click the Save button.

4. Restart from your Mac OS X Leopard volume.

5. When the login window appears, select "Other..." and log in as the root user using the password that was created above. Note: If Mac OS X automatically logs in, choose Log Out (name) from the Apple menu to get to the login window.

6. Go to Accounts preferences and check (enable) "Allow user to administer this computer" for the affected user.

7. From the Apple menu, choose Log Out root....

8. Log in as the user account that had this issue. (Your account should now have administrator access.)

9. Use Directory Utility to disable the root user via Directory Utility's Edit menu. You may need to click the lock icon first).

Thanks,

Matt M.

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Answer 2

Cauac Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 3, 2014 4:20 PM in response to matt00

I'll check as soon as possible and will tell you.

Thanks

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Answer 3

Cauac Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 3, 2014 4:40 PM in response to Cauac

It seems that it is the same issue than no admin account, but the answer connect me to no info page:http://www.apple.com/support/?artnum=306876

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Answer 4

matt00

Level 5

4,041 points

Jul 4, 2014 10:38 AM in response to Cauac

Hey Cauac,

Thanks for the follow up! If your issue persists after following the above resources, you may find more information by using another one of Apple's support channels - https://getsupport.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.action

- Matt M.

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Answer 5

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jul 4, 2014 1:53 PM in response to Cauac

That missing article is the same one that matt00 directed you to :

https://web.archive.org/web/20120331061319/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.ht ml?artnum=306876

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Answer 6

Cauac Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 9, 2014 2:16 PM in response to matt00

Thanks matt00. Resetting Root pasword allowed me to solve this issue. It was not that easy, I had to play wityh reinstalling Mac OSX, iTunes and reparing permissions from DiscUtility... Well, now it seem everything is working properly.

Again, many thanks.

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Answer 7

Cauac Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 9, 2014 2:19 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Thanks andyBall_uk.

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