mrmullad

Q: How do I change name of my s/hand iMac

Hi all I have just purchased a s/hand 2009 iMac with Yosemite and although I have changed name in sharing and everywhere else I could find in terminal and iTunes it is still saying Colin's iMac instead of my name could anyone tell me how I could change this.

thanks in advance Dell

iPad Air, iOS 8.1.2

Posted on Dec 30, 2014 10:49 AM

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Q: How do I change name of my s/hand iMac

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  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Dec 30, 2014 11:54 AM in response to mrmullad
    Level 9 (58,461 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Dec 30, 2014 11:54 AM in response to mrmullad

    The first thing that you should do when buying a second hand Mac is to do a 100% complete erase and install of OS X. The machine will always be tied to Colin unless you do this. Without knowing what year Mac you bought it's difficult to say what version of OS X came installed on it when it shipped. If it had Snow Leopard or before you can use the original media to do an erase and install and start freshly. If it came with Lion or later then restart in Recovery Mode, do an erase and install and then use Internet Recovery to install the version of OS X that originally shipped with the machine. From there you can upgrade to Yosemite and install your apps.

  • by mrmullad,

    mrmullad mrmullad Dec 30, 2014 12:12 PM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2014 12:12 PM in response to rkaufmann87

    Thanks hanks for your reply as I said in my question it is a 2009 early but as I am new to Mac and computing in general I would not know how to go into recovery mode if you could tell me that would be great.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 30, 2014 12:18 PM in response to mrmullad
    Level 10 (207,963 points)
    Applications
    Dec 30, 2014 12:18 PM in response to mrmullad

    Before buying a second-hand computer, you should have run Apple Diagnostics or the Apple Hardware Test, whichever is applicable.

    The first thing to do after buying the computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. You—not the original owner—must do that. Changes made by Apple over the years have made this seemingly straightforward task very complex.

    How you go about it depends on the model, and on whether you already own another Mac. If you're not sure of the model, enter the serial number on this page. Then find the model on this page to see what OS version was originally installed.

    It's unsafe, and may be unlawful, to use a computer with software installed by a previous owner.

    1. If you don't own another Mac

    a. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller—not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine is very old and has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. Preferably, install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.

    b. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for a MacBook Air. You should have received the media from the original owner, but if you didn't, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.

    To start up from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then restart the computer and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.

    c. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should start up in Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.

    d. Some 2010-2011 models shipped with OS X 10.6 and received a firmware update after 10.7 was released, enabling them to use Internet Recovery. If you have one of those models, you can't reinstall 10.6 even from the original media, and Internet Recovery will not work either without the original owner's Apple ID. In that case, contact Apple Support, or take the machine to an Apple Store or another authorized service provider to have the OS installed.

    2. If you do own another Mac

    If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to prepare a USB device, then start up the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. Alternatively, if you have a Time Machine backup of OS X 10.7.3 or later on an external hard drive (not a Time Capsule or other network device), you can start from that by holding down the option key and selecting it from the row of icons that appears. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.

    3. Partition and install OS X

    a. If you see a lock screen when trying to start up from installation media or in Recovery mode, then a firmware password was set by the previous owner, or the machine was remotely locked via iCloud. You'll either have to contact the owner or take the machine to an Apple Store or another service provider to be unlocked. You may be asked for proof of ownership.

    b. Launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive—not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the  Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive.

    c. An unusual problem may arise if all the following conditions apply:

              OS X 10.7 or later was installed by the previous owner

              The startup volume was encrypted with FileVault

              You're booted in Recovery mode (that is, not from a 10.6 installation disc)

    In that case, you won't be able to unlock the volume or partition the drive without the FileVault password. Ask for guidance or see this discussion.

    d. After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. If you're installing a version of OS X acquired from the App Store, you will need the Apple ID and password that you used. When the installation is done, the system will automatically restart into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.

    e. Run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. To upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the original owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed—you have to repurchase them.

    4. Other issues

    a. If the original owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're irrevocably linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Mac App Store Customer Service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.

    b. If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to  authorize it immediately under your ID. In that case, you'll either have to wait up to 90 days or contact iTunes Support.

    c. When trying to create a new iCloud account, you might get a failure message: "Account limit reached." Apple imposes a lifetime limit of three iCloud account setups per device. Erasing the device does not reset the limit. You can still use an iCloud account that was created on another device, but you won't be able to create a new one. Contact iCloud Support for more information. The setup limit doesn't apply to Apple ID accounts used for other services, such as the iTunes and Mac App Stores, or iMessage. You can create as many of those accounts as you like.

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Dec 30, 2014 1:01 PM in response to mrmullad
    Level 9 (58,461 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Dec 30, 2014 1:01 PM in response to mrmullad

    mrmullad wrote:

     

    Thanks hanks for your reply as I said in my question it is a 2009 early but as I am new to Mac and computing in general I would not know how to go into recovery mode if you could tell me that would be great.

    Your 2009 came with Snow Leopard, you need to call AppleCare and order a replacement set of original DVDs for a nominal cost. They will need the machine's serial number and a credit card. To help you contact AppleCare in your country please click Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

  • by kay206,

    kay206 kay206 Dec 31, 2014 12:30 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 31, 2014 12:30 AM in response to Linc Davis

    I'm having a similar problem. I'm taking over my husband's late-2009 BTO 27"iMac. He's wiped it and installed Yosemite, nothing on it but Yosemite, de-authorized everything (he's a 30-yr Mac user) and the darned thing stalls at the lockout screen. It has my name and wants a password, but every password I've tried, Including his, results in no success. Why it has MY name on the screen is a complete mystery. Unless, somehow, when I hooked it up with my early 2009 24" (second from TOL if I remember correctly, 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8 GB 1067 MHz 1067 DDR3 running 10.6.8) by way of Firewire 800 cable and started the 27" a few seconds after the 24"...?

    I have restarted the 27 w/no change and even tried the hookup again starting the 27 first. I've turned off bluetooth and wi-fi on the 24. I've hooked the 27 up to the internet with ethernet cable. I don't know what to try next.

  • by mrmullad,

    mrmullad mrmullad Dec 31, 2014 10:01 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 31, 2014 10:01 AM in response to Linc Davis

    I Have just ordered snow leopard 10.6 from apple and I presume when I receive it I boot. From CD do I format SSD before I install then after installation can I update back to Yosemite.

    thanks for all the reply's Dell

  • by mrmullad,

    mrmullad mrmullad Jan 1, 2015 1:30 PM in response to mrmullad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 1:30 PM in response to mrmullad

    Just a quick update on my problem although I have ordered a snow leopard from apple I thought I would try from a bootable Yosemite so I did a google search on how to make one on a flash drive booted from said flash drive and erased SSD and installed a clean install of Yosemite  but in terminal it  is still saying Colin's iMac  Derek$ .So I must be missing something I can't understand how installing snow leopard will make any difference could somebody please explain why it will make any difference .

  • by dot.com,

    dot.com dot.com Jan 1, 2015 1:38 PM in response to mrmullad
    Level 2 (434 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 1:38 PM in response to mrmullad

    When you did the clean install of Yosemite, didn't it ask you for the system name and user name and password and all that stuff? Did it ask you if you wanted to migrate previous users and data? Did you?

  • by mrmullad,

    mrmullad mrmullad Jan 1, 2015 2:10 PM in response to dot.com
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 2:10 PM in response to dot.com

    YYes it asked me for all that and more I put my name in signed in to my apple account but I never imported anything .

  • by dot.com,

    dot.com dot.com Jan 1, 2015 3:27 PM in response to mrmullad
    Level 2 (434 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 3:27 PM in response to mrmullad

    If you did a "clean" install it should have erased the partition you told it to use - so am puzzled where it would have gotten the old system name and user name you mentioned (Colin's iMac and Derek). Sorry, out of ideas. Maybe all the info that Linc posted has a clue - has it been more than 90 days since the previous owner had it "authorized" for his iTunes account and if not, perhaps that's the key -- just wait till then?

     

    Good luck and read all the stuff that Linc suggested and see if that helps.

  • by mrmullad,

    mrmullad mrmullad Jan 2, 2015 5:01 AM in response to dot.com
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 2, 2015 5:01 AM in response to dot.com

    HI dot.com

    derek is my user name it is just (Colin's iMac) that is wrong it will not stop me using it it is just as it now belongs to me so it should say Derek's iMac just incase it gets stolen.

    Dell

  • by mrmullad,

    mrmullad mrmullad Jan 5, 2015 1:08 PM in response to mrmullad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 5, 2015 1:08 PM in response to mrmullad

    WWell that was a complete waist of time and money ,I received my DVD of snow leopard today and after a lot of hassle I got it installed and it is still saying Colin's imac derek$ .

    So unless anyone has any suggestions I will have to pay £25 just to speak to Apple on the phone.

    Dell

  • by dot.com,Solvedanswer

    dot.com dot.com Jan 5, 2015 1:37 PM in response to mrmullad
    Level 2 (434 points)
    Jan 5, 2015 1:37 PM in response to mrmullad

    Did you ever try to use the "scutil" command to change the hostname/computername/localhostname -- see the article at http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/66611/how-to-change-computer-name-so-te rminal-displays-it-in-mac-os-x-mountain-lion and the man page for "scutil" for more details

  • by mrmullad,Helpful

    mrmullad mrmullad Jan 6, 2015 9:56 AM in response to dot.com
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2015 9:56 AM in response to dot.com

    Thanks dot.com

    Sucsess

    Many thanks Dell

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