feloibarra
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: my mac doesn't show the administrator's account

Hi everyone

Recently i've acquired my mom's mac, yesterday i was change the user information, and i didn't give an administrator's name, later i've shut down the mac, and now when i turn on the mac, just appears the guest session, so i can't access to my personal documents and information. So, how can i enter to the administrator's account again if that account doesn't appear?

Help me please

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on May 6, 2016 7:08 AM

by macjack,Apple recommended
macjack macjack
Level 9 (55,709 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Have you tried System Preferences > Users and Groups? You could create a new Admin account.

But if your Mom didn't erase the hard disk and re-install the original system, you should do that now. Unless you do, you will be linked to her Apple ID.

After that, you can upgrade to El Capitan.

What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support

Posted on May 6, 2016 7:16 AM

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feloibarra

Q: my mac doesn't show the administrator's account

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  • by macjack,Apple recommended

    macjack macjack May 6, 2016 7:16 AM in response to feloibarra
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2016 7:16 AM in response to feloibarra

    Have you tried System Preferences > Users and Groups? You could create a new Admin account.

    But if your Mom didn't erase the hard disk and re-install the original system, you should do that now. Unless you do, you will be linked to her Apple ID.

    After that, you can upgrade to El Capitan.

    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support

  • by feloibarra,

    feloibarra feloibarra May 6, 2016 11:40 AM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 6, 2016 11:40 AM in response to macjack

    Yes i've tried, but i can't do anything because ''i'm just a guest'', i don't want to restore to the original system, i want to access to the actual administrator's account, but i don't know how to do, because is ''invisible''

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack May 6, 2016 1:17 PM in response to feloibarra
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2016 1:17 PM in response to feloibarra

    To show all hidden files on your Mac launch Utilities/Terminal and at the prompt copy & paste this command.

    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles True && killall Finder

    Press Return.

    If you find it, drag the folder into your Terminal window, it will show the path to the file. Then use this command to make it unhidden...

    chflags nohidden

    When you are through use this command to hide all invisibles again

    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles False; killall Finder


  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack May 6, 2016 1:21 PM in response to feloibarra
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2016 1:21 PM in response to feloibarra

    But what you really should do, is what Mom should have done when she gave it you.

    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support

    Because even if you find the folder you still be tied to your Mom's Apple ID and Password.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad May 6, 2016 1:22 PM in response to feloibarra
    Level 10 (141,567 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2016 1:22 PM in response to feloibarra
    yesterday i was change the user information,

    What did you change and was that in the System/Users & Groups preference pane?

     

    Do you know your Mom's original ID and password?

    OTsig.png

  • by feloibarra,

    feloibarra feloibarra May 6, 2016 1:44 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 6, 2016 1:44 PM in response to Old Toad

    Yes, in system users & groups. i've changed the iCloud account, and the name of user folder, in the name of the administrator's account i haven't specified a name, and then i've closed that preference pane and finally i've restarted the mac. This mac was have a password, but never was required when the computer started. Now the mac asks me the administrator account and the password, but the password i have doesn't works, so i don't know either.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-05-06 at 4.40.42 PM.pngScreen Shot 2016-05-06 at 4.40.19 PM.png

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad May 6, 2016 1:54 PM in response to feloibarra
    Level 10 (141,567 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2016 1:54 PM in response to feloibarra

    Being able to not have to enter ID or password when you started up was for that one account only.  You removed that option and without a new user name and password I believe you're up a creek. 

     

    You'll probably have to boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down), select Disk Utility and erase the hard drive. The reinstall the system.  When you do create an Admin account with a user name and password.  You can set it to open automatically later but can't really operated without one.

  • by feloibarra,

    feloibarra feloibarra May 6, 2016 3:05 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 6, 2016 3:05 PM in response to Old Toad

    Yes, i need a administrator account, but i need get one without erase the system, i have really important documents in the ''ghost'' administrator's account

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad May 6, 2016 3:09 PM in response to feloibarra
    Level 10 (141,567 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2016 3:09 PM in response to feloibarra

    Do you have access to another Mac?  If so connect the two in Target Disk Mode,  Transferring files between two computers using FireWire, with your problem Mac in the Target Disk Mode. Then you should be able to copy the files you need from the drive. 

  • by feloibarra,

    feloibarra feloibarra May 7, 2016 10:22 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 7, 2016 10:22 AM in response to Old Toad

    Well, i have more problemas now, i've  installed again the OS X, so now i think i have two versions of El Capitan, in this new version i have the same problem than the another session, when i start the mac, i just have the option to enter as a guest, so i can't do changes in permissions, etc. So my question is the next, How can i delete everything except the OS X assuming i can't do changes on a started session because i don't know the password and the administrator's name. I need set up an administrator's account!!!!

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad May 7, 2016 10:26 AM in response to feloibarra
    Level 10 (141,567 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 7, 2016 10:26 AM in response to feloibarra

    Were you abel to mount your problem Mac in Target Disk mode and access the main user folder?

  • by feloibarra,

    feloibarra feloibarra May 7, 2016 10:41 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 7, 2016 10:41 AM in response to Old Toad

    How can i do that?

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root May 7, 2016 10:57 AM in response to feloibarra
    Level 9 (73,538 points)
    iTunes
    May 7, 2016 10:57 AM in response to feloibarra

    Click the blue link in OT's 6 May 6:09 post (2 above). That is an article that explains how.

  • by feloibarra,

    feloibarra feloibarra May 7, 2016 11:26 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 7, 2016 11:26 AM in response to Eric Root

    can you send me the link please, i don't found it

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