Creating a new user account with identical files/settings as previous one

Google chrome has crashed on my mac pro and i can not get it back working. i have created new user account and chrome is working in it. i now want to transfer all my files and settings to the new user account, not just the files but if possible an identical copy of how my original user profile was set out. Can anyone advise me on how to do this? thanks

While logged into the troubleshooting account (assuming that it's an admin account—if not create a new one and log into it), backup the bad account's folder, delete the bad account, selecting the save data option (which is stored in /Users/Deleted Users/ as a disk image), recreate the bad account using the same username/password combo, log out and back into the recreated original account. If the problem's solved, open the saved data dmg file in /Users/Deleted Users/, open the /Library/Preferences/ folder from the saved data, open the current /Users/restored account/Library/Preferences/ folder, and slowly copy plist files from the saved data folder to the current one that don't exist in it. Log out and back in to ensure there's no conflict and things still work correctly. Resolving conflicts or identifying corrupt plist files is a laborious process. Good luck.
See http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4703015 for more details on this process.

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Creating a new user account and transferring files from old account

I am now having more problems than I can handle with my Leopard installation...problems such as applications that refuse quit no matter what ~ even after attempting force quit them and/or attempting to "sudo kill -9 PID", and now that I am having problems with Adobe Lightroom not even being able to remain open on my user account for more than 10 seconds max before it crashes without provocation (yet runs fine on a troubleshooting account I created on the same machine), I would now like to create a new user account on my MacPro Leopard 10.5.6 and transfer my files from the previous (problematic) user account, but I've never done so in the past...
Can someone give me a basic rundown of how to go about doing this as a means of troubleshooting my current sickly user account (and if you could also please let me know which files I should avoid restoring to the newly created user account so that I don't screw that one up as well, I would appreciate it)
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

While logged into the troubleshooting account (assuming that it's an admin account—if not create a new one and log into it), backup the bad account's folder, delete the bad account, selecting the save data option (which is stored in /Users/Deleted Users/ as a disk image), recreate the bad account using the same username/password combo, log out and back into the recreated original account. If the problem's solved, open the saved data dmg file in /Users/Deleted Users/, open the /Library/Preferences/ folder from the saved data, open the current /Users/restored account/Library/Preferences/ folder, and slowly copy plist files from the saved data folder to the current one that don't exist in it. Log out and back in to ensure there's no conflict and things still work correctly. Resolving conflicts or identifying corrupt plist files is a laborious process. Good luck.
See http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4703015 for more details on this process.

How to create a new user account?

Hi,
Could you point me to the document/maunal on
how to create a new user account for OS X 10.4?
I somehow couldn't find that from Apple web site.
And I found one here:
http://www.mcelhearn.com/article.php?story=2004110211244242
and followed the instruction:
# echo 'henry::512:512::0:0:Henry James:/Users/henry:/bin/bash' | sudo niload -v passwd /
but nothing happened. Either this doesn't work with
V10.4 (which I use), or I missed something.
Any pointer would be much apprecaited.
Thanks.
Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4)

Hi Allan and Simon,
Thanks for your responses.
Sorry I didn't make my question clear. I meant:
"How to create a new user account with command line"?
The GUI (System Preference) would work. But I'd like
to how to do it from command line (just like on Unix).
Any inputs would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4)
Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4)

After creating a new user account, how do I move my files into the new user?

I have an issue where my 'Desktop/Screensaver' prefs seem to be corrupt somehow. When I click on that icon in System Preferences, it stalls and I get the spinning ball, thus resulting in a force quit. After reading a Mac Format magazine where someone wrote in with a similar issue, they said to trash various prefs (did that and made no difference) and if that didn't work, try creating a New User account (therefore creating brand new system prefs) and move your stuff over.
Well, I've created the New User account, but I can't figure out how to move/copy my stuff into the user folders. After copying and attempting to move stuff in, I see folders with a red circle with a white line through it (like a 'no entry' sign).
Any clue as to how this can be done? All I'm trying to do is to reinstate the system prefs so they are not corrupt anymore on my log-in.

No. Not the main Library folder. Make absolutely sure you are in the Home Library folder and not the main Library folder.
Your Home Library folder is hidden in Lion. To get to it, in the Finder menu, select GO and hold the option key down. Select Library in the submenu. The Finder window will open in your Home Library. This is where your user prefs are stored.
Once there, you will see the Preferences folder. Open it up, select all items within it and move them to the trash. You will need to restart in order for the new Finder preferences to be recreated.
Once you restart, then you will be back to the default preferences to the system and all applications. And yes, it will affect all settings including your Dock, just as logging into a new user. You will have to reset everything there also.
If you wish to do a selective method, instead of deleting all preferences, try deleting the one associated with your problem. Screen saver problems should be affected by the system preferences, so try deleting this:
com.apple.systempreferences.plist
com.apple.systempreferences.plist.lockfile
Note that when you delete system file preferences, a restart will be required. For applications, just quit the application before trashing preference files.

I have recently transferred data from my old PC to my new Mac Book Pro (Mavericks OS). Each transfer creates a new User account (titled 'Owner', 'Owner 1', etc). I want to merge the files from these transfers into my main user account. Help?

I have recently transferred data from my old PC to my new Mac Book Pro (Mavericks OS). Each transfer creates a new User account (titled 'Owner', 'Owner 1', etc). I want to merge / consolidate the files from these newly created User accounts into my main user account. Is there a tutorial for this process, or any tips? Anyone?

Four transfers. After the initial attempt with Migration Assistant failed (after hours and hours of wifi transfer) I did "mini-transfers" of more manageable, smaller bits of files -- my music in one, photos in another, etc. Since posting my question in this forum, i contacted Apple support, chatted with Angela, and she suggested getting an ethernet-USB adapter for my mac, connecting my external drive with ethernet and transferring files manually -- that is, NOT using the Migration Assistant at all. She sent me this link to help: Switch Basics: Migrate your Windows files to your Mac. I appreciate your response, tho', Csound1!

Have recently had problems with itunes freezing on me so having done various things to rectify it im now going to try to create a new user account but where the heck do you find the start menu ?

have recently had problems with itunes freezing on me so having done various things to remody it , im now going to try to create a new user account but i cant find where to start things ! ive been told to go to the start menu but where the heck is it ?

Leigh...
but cannot do this because I cannot access Mac App Store
If you can't access the App Store from the Apple menu, Dock, or Applications folder installing the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo will reinstall the App Store for you.
It's ok to do this even you are already running v10.6.8.
Plants vs. Zombies, and that is all for additional software on here
FYI: Some third party software can cause issues with the App Store > Mac App Store: Sign in sheet does not appear, or does not accept typed text
Apple is not responsible for incompatibility isssues with third party software.

How do I create a new user account and migrate my data to it?

I have problem with Adobe Bridge crashing when I exit Camera Raw. I was advised by my local apple service store to create a new user account and test Bridge using the new account. It works fine. So what do I do now? I don't know what in my account is causing the conflict but assume that the solution might be e newly setup user.

Checking the behaviour in another user account is a TEST, not a solution! You don't need to move everything over. Otherwise, every time you get a user account problem, you'll keep moving to a new user account again and again.
If the problem does not occur in a new user account, then the cause is something IN your user account. This is usually a Preference file. Adobe Bridge seems to crash a lot, and it can usually be fixed by deleting the Bridge folder in <user>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/
You can also try deleting the Bridge preference file, which will be in <user>/Library/Preferences, and called com.adobe.bridge5.plist (or similar).
If that doesn't work, you can test removing a whole bunch of the various Adobe files in those folders. You can always put them back if they don't change anything. And you've got a backup, haven't you? ;-)

How do I create a new user, move my old files etc over, and delete old user

This is why I think I need to.
My computer got hit by lightening, and I may have created a new user account through netinfo rather than system preferences /accounts/+user. Mail used to open twice, but no longer. Now, Safari askes me for my keychain password twice, Spotlight can't find a folder on the computer when the search is restricted to folder and computer, though the folder is there and easyfind finds it, and when System Preferences/Spotlight/Privacy has the hard drive icon added, then deleted, Spotlight still does not find anything. (Yes, everything is backed up, on CD, DVD, and online.) Microsoft Tec Support says
"Here is a summary of the key points of the case for your records.
When you contacted us on August 8, you had requested assistance with Microsoft Office 2004, as your installation of the updates was unable to find the correct version of the software to update. After creating a New MAC User, we identified the issue to be with a corrupt MAC User account, and not a Microsoft issue. "
I believe Microsoft. So, creating a new user was easy.
But copying files uses up too much hard drive (movies, music), and may miss keychains, preferences, mail, address book, and documents. Since Spotlight no longer works, who knows what is happening. (Yes, I've repaired persmissions, and disk repair. No change). I'm using up my hard drive trying to move files to the new user. If I share files, or put them into a public folder, then delete the old user, will I still have the old user's files in the new user's account? It is not clear to me what I should be trying to do in order to create a new user, move my old files etc over, and delete old user. Thanks.
My responses will be slow, because I have to drive to town to use the internet. I've ordered a new airport which may take care of that problem. SO be patient.

Hey -
I need to do the EXACT same thing, but have no idea how. Has anyone out there done this?
My situation is a tad different..this is a new Mac (and I'm a brand new Mac user). Tons of querks occur under my original account (videos won't run, Safari won't support certain plug-ins). I spent 6 hours on the phone w/ 4 different Apple Reps and nobody could fix it. A rep finally looked at my MacBook Pro in person today. He created a new account just to see if that would work and under that new account, everything works perfectly fine (no querks, can view video). He tried switching a million settings in my original account to no avail.
He said to create a new account (as he did) and move my files over to the new account and then go back to the original and delete it. How do you do this?! I can't figure it out! I've got a new account created, but of course it just has the default folders in it w/ the little red icons next to them! Thanks in advance!

I can not create a new user account on eprint

i can not create a new user account on eprint. I have been trying for over an hour and it repeats telling me that my email addresses are not entered correctly, however they match. ?

I have tried to create an account via ePrintCenter and it seems that the published application has several flaws in interpreting the provided input.
1) In the Filed for last Name I enter my last name, which consist of only Alph Characters. The form however thinks that there is some sort of special character and rejects my Input.
2) E-Mail address. is not identical; OK, so I do a quick OCR on the E-Mail and guess what they are identical. Again the form Fails to recognize this.
3) Enter a password (2 Fields) and a third is displayed which is marked as "*required" but is not labeled as to what the required info could possibly be. Or is it a 3 password confirmation box, who knows.
All I know is that a simple registration is a major pain with this HP site.
Any Help as to how to alleviate this would of course be greatly appreciated.

Can I Create a New User Account and Move Existing Account ???

Lion was reinstal.
I'm suspecting issue with one user account.
Can I creat a new user account and move all my files to that new user?
What are the impact?
How about permissons on this files?
What about the Library Folder?
Thank you for your help and support.
BigBlaze

This should help you out after you have created the new user account. You are trying to make it much more complex than it needs to be. Just follow the directions in:
Transferring files from one User Account to another.

Creating a new user account and curious log in behavior...

First off I'd just like to apologize if that is not the correct place to be posting this, but after looking around I don't see a perfect fit for this topic anywhere, so I figured here should be okay. Also I want to apologize if this turns out to be a rather lengthy post, I just want to ensure that I supply all info...
Okay, so about a month ago I recognized that my current user account is slowly but surely taking longer and longer to "boot up" after I put in my password and tell it to log in. What usually happens is that I click log in, the background image and taskbar almost immediately pop up but nothing else (finder icons, dock, and the multiple icons in the taskbar which include the airport signal, user name, bluetooth status, battery strength, volume, and my iChat and Adium status) the only things to immediately "activate" in the taskbar are the clock and spotlight.
As of late when I log in something especially strange is happening in that after the 5 or so minutes it takes the dock, rest of taskbar, and finder icons to appear my PB will play the default Apple sound of me emptying trash, rather there is anything actually in the trash or not. It dosen't delete the objects in the trash (if any, as I usually keep it empty), just simply plays the sound. I'm not sure if it playing this sound ties in any with the lagging log in times, I just wanted to mention it as the log in times have slowed down considerably since this sound started.
Bottom line given that there is no way that I know of fixing this problem, I am planning to simply create a new user account. Actually I have already created the new account (by the way, it logs in literally instantaneously, and does not make the strange trash being emptied sound) but was looking for info on how to get all of my files from one account to the other. Unfortunately for me everytime that I install a program and the dialog box pops up asking if you want to install it on all user accounts or just the current one I always click "just the current one" (please don't ask why, as there is seriously no reasoning to this at all...), so is there a way to transfer my current programs from one user account to the other without reinstalling??? It's actually not that many programs I'm talking about here (Shapeshifter, Xounds, XFactor, AIM, Adium, Cocktail, Toast, Popcorn, iPod Rip, and Office), I just figured that if I can simply transfer rather than reinstalling them, it would be a lot easier.
However my 2 primary concerns are my iTunes and iPhoto libraries (3330 songs and 4182 pcitures respectively), considering that I've spent literally hours making countless playlist in iTunes, and countless folders, slideshows, and books in iPhoto, if I was to lose all this it would truly be a mess.
I know I'm probably making a big deal out of this and it's an extremely easy and basic process, please just pardon this still pretty new Mac user and help me out:) Also if anybody else has experienced the log in slow down or strange trash being emptied sound I would be glad to hear your experiences.
Thanks in advance!!!
Mervyn

Hi Mervin,
Bottom line given that there is no way that I know of fixing this problem, I am planning to simply create a new user account.
You can do that (but I wouldn't) this KB article outlines how:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=155373
Basically you will copy the folders within your old home to replace the folders in the new home. Here is a list of specific folders if you decide to do that but a better solution would be to sort your existing user.
Here where your important data is stored ("~" stands for "Home"):
Your Data in Documents
~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
~/Library/Application Support/iCal(copy the whole folder)
Also in ~ / Library/ Application Support (copy whatever else you need)
~ /Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
~/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist * This is a very important file which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences.
~ / Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
~ / Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
~ / Library/iMovie (copy the whole folder)
~/ Pictures/iPhoto Library
If you want cookies:
~/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
~/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
so is there a way to transfer my current programs from one user account to the other without reinstalling???
As for applications, they should all be in your Application folder(there is only one) and available to ALL users, unless you have put "limitations" or "parental controls" on the account.
Now to the best course of action:
To find the issue affecting your existing user account, follow these steps:
Log back into your normal user account:
1. Navigate to ~(yourhome/library/fonts - drag this folder to the desktop.
      Restart and test your applications.
      If they work start adding the fonts back few at a time.
( Likely suspects are Time RO & Helvetica Fractions, also if you do not use Classic you can trash the classic fonts.)
2. Check Preferences Thoroughly;
      Navigate to ~(yourhome/library/preferences drag this folder to the desktop.
      Restart and test your applications.
      If this works, save the old preferences folder somewhere else or on disk, name it "old prefs" .
** Note: A very important file is the "com.apple.Mail.plist" preference file located in the Preferences folder which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences (hold this one and replace if your problem is not with Mail).
You'll have to go through some of your System Preferences and apps to set the preferences back to how you like them. (Or if you have the time and inclination, "cherry pick" through until you find the problem one or two.)
3. Check Permissions Inside Home Folder
   Navigate to yourhome/library.
   Get Info (Command - i) on folders for apps you are having problems with.
   Open the "Ownership & permissions" disclosure triangle.
   Make sure you are the owner, with "read and write" access.
Click on "apply to all"
   If this is correct, open the "Applications Support" folder and do the same      procedure (Command+I) for the folders with the names of the applications you are      having trouble with.
Note:
The reason to check this is because repairing permissions with Disk Utility doesn't touch permissions inside your home folder.
If the isssue persists navigate to ~/library/caches and drag this folder to the trash, then log out and back or restart. There is no need to replace this folder.
Good luck, let us know.

How to create a new user aaa with same rights as existing user bbb ?

Assume user bbb already exists in Oracla 10g database.
How can I create a new user aaa with the same rights/permissions as the old user bbb?
Is this procedure/command also working if the old user is user "system" (=dbadmin)?

There is some possibilty to generate a EXPDP dump file which contains only DDL statements related to account and
privileges: EXCLUDE/INCLUDE parameter can help.
For example, following EXPDP statements seem to work with SYSTEM account:
expdp / schemas=system content=metadata_only exclude=table,sequence,package,function,procedure,synonym,,type view dumpfile=DPD:system.dmp logfile=DPD:system.log
Export: Release 10.2.0.2.0 - Production on Thursday, 14 February, 2008 9:41:36
Copyright (c) 2003, 2005, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Connected to: Oracle Database 10g Enterprise Edition Release 10.2.0.2.0 - Produc
tion
With the Partitioning, OLAP and Data Mining options
Starting "OPS$XXX"."SYS_EXPORT_SCHEMA_01": /******** schemas=system con
tent=metadata_only exclude=table,sequence,package,function,procedure,synonym,type view dumpfile=DPD:system.dmp logfile=DPD:system.log
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/USER
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/SYSTEM_GRANT
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/ROLE_GRANT
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/DEFAULT_ROLE
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/PRE_SCHEMA/PROCACT_SCHEMA
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/POST_SCHEMA/PROCACT_SCHEMA
Master table "OPS$XXX"."SYS_EXPORT_SCHEMA_01" successfully loaded/unload
ed
Dump file set for OPS$XXX.SYS_EXPORT_SCHEMA_01 is:
C:\TEMP\SYSTEM.DMP
Job "OPS$XXX"."SYS_EXPORT_SCHEMA_01" successfully completed at 09:41:41
impdp / sqlfile=dpd:system.sql dumpfile=DPD:system.dmp logfile=DPD:system.logImport: Release 10.2.0.2.0 - Production on Thursday, 14 February, 2008 9:42:46
Copyright (c) 2003, 2005, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Connected to: Oracle Database 10g Enterprise Edition Release 10.2.0.2.0 - Produc
tion
With the Partitioning, OLAP and Data Mining options
Master table "OPS$XXX"."SYS_SQL_FILE_FULL_05" successfully loaded/unload
ed
Starting "OPS$XXX"."SYS_SQL_FILE_FULL_05": /******** sqlfile=dpd:system
.sql dumpfile=DPD:system.dmp logfile=DPD:system.log
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/USER
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/SYSTEM_GRANT
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/ROLE_GRANT
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/DEFAULT_ROLE
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/PRE_SCHEMA/PROCACT_SCHEMA
Processing object type SCHEMA_EXPORT/POST_SCHEMA/PROCACT_SCHEMA
Job "OPS$XXX"."SYS_SQL_FILE_FULL_05" successfully completed at 09:42:50and system.sql is:
-- CONNECT OPS$XXX
-- new object type path is: SCHEMA_EXPORT/USER
-- CONNECT SYSTEM
ALTER USER "SYSTEM" IDENTIFIED BY VALUES '970BAA5B81930A40'
TEMPORARY TABLESPACE "TEMP";
-- new object type path is: SCHEMA_EXPORT/SYSTEM_GRANT
GRANT GLOBAL QUERY REWRITE TO "SYSTEM";
GRANT CREATE MATERIALIZED VIEW TO "SYSTEM";
GRANT SELECT ANY TABLE TO "SYSTEM";
GRANT CREATE TABLE TO "SYSTEM";
GRANT UNLIMITED TABLESPACE TO "SYSTEM" WITH ADMIN OPTION;
-- new object type path is: SCHEMA_EXPORT/ROLE_GRANT
GRANT "DBA" TO "SYSTEM" WITH ADMIN OPTION;
GRANT "AQ_ADMINISTRATOR_ROLE" TO "SYSTEM" WITH ADMIN OPTION;
GRANT "MGMT_USER" TO "SYSTEM";
-- new object type path is: SCHEMA_EXPORT/DEFAULT_ROLE
ALTER USER "SYSTEM" DEFAULT ROLE ALL;
-- new object type path is: SCHEMA_EXPORT/PRE_SCHEMA/PROCACT_SCHEMA
BEGIN
sys.dbms_logrep_imp.instantiate_schema(schema_name=>SYS_CONTEXT('USERENV','CURRENT_SCHEMA'), export_db_name=>'BAS002.REGRESS.RDBMS.DEV.US.ORACLE.COM', inst_scn=>'1456160');
COMMIT;
END;
-- new object type path is: SCHEMA_EXPORT/POST_SCHEMA/PROCACT_SCHEMA
BEGIN
SYS.DBMS_AQ_IMP_INTERNAL.CLEANUP_SCHEMA_IMPORT;
COMMIT;
END;
/ These export and import steps don't take into account privileges granted on schema objects belonging to another user likely due to to the EXCLUDE statements.
Message was edited by:
Pierre Forstmann

How do I create a new user account?

I have a new iPod with a different iTunes account than my other devices. How do I sync the iPod on my iMac with the songs/movies from its own iTunes account? Do I need to create a new user profle on the computer for that?

As you said, I recommend to create a new user account and create a new iTunes library on that user with the content of the iPod. If you sync it with your user account, you will get on the iPod the content from a different Apple ID and maybe content that you don't want.
To create a new user account, open System Preferences > Users & Groups, and press the + button that it's below the left sidebar (where users are listed). Then, just follow the steps to set up the user account.
Now, every time you start your Mac, OS X will ask you the user account you want to start OS X with

My friend gave his Macbook pro to me a month ago but he forgot his password. I want to log him out and creat a new user account of myself.

my friend gave his Macbook pro to me a month ago but he forgot his password. I want to log him out and creat a new user account of myself.

Did your friend also provided you with the original DVDs that came with the MacBook Pro?

TS2972 My computer crashed and the hard drive is no longer. I have purchased a new laptop but now have no access to my old itunes library. My laptop has created a new itunes account with NOTHING in it?? My Itouch has everything loaded but it wont sync

My computer crashed and the hard drive is no longer. I have purchased a new laptop but now have no access to my old itunes library. My laptop has created a new itunes account with NOTHING in it?? My Itouch has everything loaded but it wont sync with this itunes account....HELP

- Transfer iTunes purchases:
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer
- Transfer other music by using a third-party program like one of those discussed here:
newer copy
- Connect the iPod to the computer and make a backup by right clicking on the iPod under Devices in iTunes and select Back Up
- Restore the iPod from that backup
Note that the iPod backup that iTunes makes does not included synced media like apps and music.

Creating a new user account with identical files/settings as previous one

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