Cannot change computer name (Mac OS X 10.6.8, Mac mini A1176)

Question

Level 1

1 points

Cannot change computer name (Mac OS X 10.6.8, Mac mini A1176)

Hello there! I am currently new to this site. Thank you for checking out my question.

A bit of background information. From what I know, my friend attempted to use Migration Assistant from a Macbook onto the Mac mini I am writing about. For whatever reason, probably because of the background of the Macbook (Looked like a school computer), several things are now locked on the computer. I am going to ask, firstly, the thing that personally bothers me most.

The problem is its name. The name is stuck as, exactly, STE3M19-02$. The pane where it is located is grayed out, and I attempted to use a Terminal command to change the name, which did work for a time, only to find it changed back the next time I booted it up. I attempted this Terminal method twice.

As noted in the title, this Mac mini (Model A1176) is primarily running OS X 10.6.8, with a separate partition for 10.5.0. In addition, if needed, it includes a 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo, an upgraded 2 GB of ram, and 120 GB of storage.

Feel free to ask any other questions that may help to the solving of this problem.

Thank you.

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Model number A1176

Posted on Apr 23, 2015 2:05 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Apr 23, 2015 4:15 PM in response to Camotoy

How to change user account name or home directory name:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3872

Reply

Answer 2

Camotoy Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 23, 2015 4:57 PM in response to Klaus1

Thank you for the input. However, I am talking about the Computer Name located under Sharing. A minor thing, yes, but that is what I am talking about.

Reply

Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

684,039 points

Apr 24, 2015 8:45 AM in response to Camotoy

Click the edit button and change the name.

Reply

Answer 4

Camotoy Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 26, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Eric Root

This appears not to help. I will post a picture of the problem.

Reply

Answer 5

Camotoy Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 26, 2015 5:44 AM in response to Camotoy

The Edit button does not help at all. In addition, every time I restart the Mac mini, the panel "Remote Login" shown here always turns itself back on.

Reply

Answer 6

zeynepbk

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2016 4:48 AM in response to Camotoy

I have exactly the same problem. Could somebody help?

The edit changes the visible name of the computer - when viewed via other devices. It does NOT change the ACTUAL name of the computer.

There must be a control panel somewhere that locked and can unlock it...

Reply

Answer 7

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Apr 21, 2016 5:15 AM in response to zeynepbk

Your problem, hardware or software, may not be exactly the same as that of the original poster of this older thread, and it can be very confusing for everybody if we try to answer more than one question in each thread, which can also result in you applying the wrong advice to your particular problem.

In order for us to give your problem our proper attention to try to solve it, would you kindly start your own thread, describing the trouble you are having in the fullest detail, including completing your details to show what Mac or iDevice you are using, what operating system, and what version of the application in question. Please remember to post in the forum relevant to your hardware or version of OS X. A full list of all the support forums is here:

http://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa

Reply

Answer 8

Camotoy Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 21, 2016 5:22 AM in response to zeynepbk

Hello, zeynepbk.

It's been a long while since I've had this problem, and I did figure out a solution, although it might not be as satisfying as you like.

If you've got the same problem as me, the name will not change at all. I found out that this was due to a school-modified computer. The unsatisfying solution would be to reinstall the whole system, but I don't know if you want to do that or have the tools to do so.

Is this a recent problem with an older Mac, or did you recently get this Mac? It would be quite helpful to post what you're using and a summary of the background.

Reply

Answer 9

zeynepbk

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2016 5:30 AM in response to Camotoy

Browsing the web obsessively I think I just found a solution - Please see here: Can't change computername (but can change hostname)

It works.

z.

(edit: Mine is a work computer and probably this is why I am having this problem. But the IT people also had no idea about how to solve it. Mine had the name of the person who used the computer before me)

Reply