Computer Name is blank

Question

Computer Name is blank

Hi, Working with a "bound" iMac (10.9.4) and the computer name was set to 0tt1-053689 and bound on the domain. I had an issue with the machine which made me unbind the computer. When that happened the computer name became .Local (in system preferences sharing window computer name). I thought no biggie, click on edit and re enter the original name. Well it sort of works, the computer allowed the name change however, it shows up as ott1-053689.Local below the Computer name window. It is showing under this window where "Computers on your local network can access your computer at:ott1-053689.Local". From terminal the computer name shows up correct. From remote desktop the computer name is blank. I have seen this problem before and never properly fixed the issue (yes even a different OS). A format and start fresh will work but I would like to know what causes this and as a result, how to fix it. In this case the install was pretty clean too. Any idea's?

Posted on Jul 15, 2014 12:37 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

685,299 points

Jul 15, 2014 1:25 PM in response to Community User

Restart, then try deleting the local part in System Preferences.

Reply

Answer 2

Jul 15, 2014 1:29 PM in response to Eric Root

I can't, the .Local is grey'd out. There is no login button either as in some of the windows that permit change.

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 16, 2014 6:32 AM in response to Community User

After doing ALLOT of research and poking around I found where the computer name "sits". inside "preference.plist" there are a couple sections that show the computer name. In my case only one portion showed the correct computer name. I had to modify the plist to have the correct key and string. Once I renamed the original plist to a "OLD" file name and saved the new file to the same location - rebooted and the proper computer name populates the System Preferences Sharing page.

I presume the file did not save the computer name properly and ended up blank. Remote desktop only showed a - as the computer name. Now its fine.

I will say, unless one is comfortable with modifying system files this should to be attempted. When modifying system files bad things can happen.

Reply