Really changing the short name.

Question

Level 1

4 points

Really changing the short name.

Is there an actual method for changing the short name? The methods I've seen involve basically making a new user, just with everything transferred from the old user.

What I really want to do is to change the short name of the admin user on my server. I've used my name for it and I want my name to be a real user, not an admin. You can't take away the admin rights or change the name.

So I installed Tiger server (and it updated to 10.4.8) and then went through the setup process. The admin user name I used was my user name (this was the mistake), now I want my name back.

I went through this with Jaguar server, and my solution then was to reformat and reinstall. I think I'm going to have to do the same again.

PowerBook 12" Mac OS X (10.4.8)

PowerBook 12", Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 3, 2006 2:29 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

726,719 points

Nov 4, 2006 8:02 PM in response to btwyx

You can use this application to change the short name of an existing account.

(17531)

Reply

Answer 2

btwyx Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 5, 2006 4:02 PM in response to Niel

As far as I can see that uses the same technique of creating a new account and moving everything over to it, not actually chaning the name.

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 5, 2006 5:20 PM in response to btwyx

Hello,

If you just want to change the short username in WGM turn on the inspector. (Open preferences and check the "Show "All Records" tab and inspector") Once you click "ok" you will see a bullseye. Click on it select users from the drop down menu. Click on the user you wish to edit click on "RecordName" and change the short username. Once done click save.

If you need to change the short username of a user who is in the Netinfo DB such as local users. Open the Netinfo Manager, authenticate, click users, select the user you wish to edit and change the short username. You should also correct the home folder path. Save your changes and your done.

Hope this helps!

- Barrett

Reply

Answer 4

btwyx Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 8, 2006 3:50 PM in response to Barrett Hartman1

That looks like it would really do it. I just tried it on a test system and the user had his short name changed. There's some complication about home directories and passwords, and I managed to make WGM crash. Its not something I'd recommend, and its a good job root is enabled by default or I wouldn't have been able to get in.

I think this'll work, but it needs to be done carefully. I've already formatted and reinstalled the system I was interested in anyway. I think that's the safest way to do it.

PowerBook 12" Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Reply