10.3 - No Admin Accounts available

I've got a problem I've never seen before in over 20 years with Apple. I've got a iMac G3 slot load installed with 10.3. All the accounts have somehow changed over to "standard" and I've no administrator accounts to open locks on system prefs. I've logged in as root and was able to change the time (which was the original problem), but cannot change any of the standard accounts over to administrator. I've made new accounts and cannot make them an administrator either. The checkbox is there, but when checked, it is not saving the option. I've repaired permissions but the problem continues. Does anyone have any ideas out there

Hi Susan!
See if this tip I lost my admin user (Mac OS X 10.4 and earlier), by Michael Conniff helps solve the problem.
ali b

Similar Messages

Photoshop launches in Admin account but not in User account??

My 2007 Mac Pro is working fine. Just installed 10.6.7 on freshly wiped HD in Bay #2. Used the migration feature to bring over everything from drive in Bay #1 (which runs 10.5.8). After that: Photoshop CS5 will not launch (on either drive) under the regular user account. Throws 2 messages as follows: "Cannot find scratch disk because disk is unavailable." Then: "Cannot initialize because disk is unavailable."
But - just logged in on my Admin account on the Snow Leopard drive. I then tried (for the first time ever, I think) to launch PS CS5 just to see what would happen. The app launched normally!
This after:
1. using Adobe uninstaller to remove "original" install of PS CS5 from the Snow Leopard drive. Then reinstalling. (first reinstall of THREE). This did not work to make the app launch, still got above messages.
2. Ran permission repairs (I know - you don't have ta tell me.)
3. Ran DiskWarrior - applied new directory to both Leopard and Snow Leopard drives.
4. I then called Adobe support. Let the agent connect to my desktop from where he did another un-install & re-install using downloaded Adobe utility app. (A guy in India ran my Mac Pro in Michigan for 30 minutes while I sat there, entering Admin password when needed for the operations. Amazing.) He also performed Adobe diagnostics. All without success (on the User account).
After that, he gave up and arranged for a higher level agent to call me tomorrow (Wed. 4/13).
5. Adding: during the above Adobe effort, it came to me that I have too many versions of Photoshop. (I had CS, CS3, CS 4 and CS 5.) So - I systematically removed all versions except the original CS from both the Leopard and Snow Leopard drives. I used AppDelete for this removal, hoping to get all pref files, etc. I even deleted an old version of Acrobat - just because I no longer need it. Then I ran DiskWarrior again and used PreferentialTreatment to check for bad prefs: then again installed CS 5 again - on both drives. (Still working in my normal User account.)
6. Adding: all along, I had no trouble launching and using Photoshop Elements 8 on either drive. I had originally set the PSE scratch disk to my RAID storage drives (Bay #3 & #4). So I was sure by then that I had forgotten to apply the same designation for scratch disk of Photoshop CS5. This was the only variable or possibility I knew of at the time. Guessing: I had set CS 5 to use the drive I wiped clean for Snow Leopard and that's why it came up with: "drive not available."
Repeating: it was not until I logged into my Admin account on the Snow Leopard drive and found I could launch Photoshop from that account that I decided to check in here with my question:
Q. What is the remedy for having one account which won't allow launch for some (in this case, just ONE) apps?
Sorry to be long-winded: this was a major, day-long effort and I want to provide a complete picture of what was done to trouble shoot. Thanks in advance for any help.

1. Standard procedure is to do all but a few operations from Standard User accounts: which I have always done. All software installations have been from my original Standard User account.
Actually, most people use their admin accounts for things like installs, and some apps may not be installable from a standard account or may not function properly there, unless they can authenticate to admin privileges to install things in places standard users don't have access.
several complete uninstalls followed by an equal number of reinstalls FROM the original CS 5 install disk made no difference: when in the Standard User account. CS 5 DOES work under the Admin account on the new Snow Leopard installation (on Bootable Drive #2).
That matches with my experiences with Photoshop Elements... it only works if you've got admin privileges, unless you figure out what items are inaccessible from a standard user account and change their permissions.
I'm sure most experienced users would say that sticking with a Regular User account for daily operations is best.
In reality, that's not as prevalent as it probably should be. In part, that may be because of other software that similarly doesn't run on a standard account. In addition, running on an admin account really isn't as much of a risk as it might seem. I finally gave up years ago on using a standard account, and have never had a problem as a result of using an admin account for day-to-day operations. The stuff you can least afford to lose - ie, your documents - you have full access rights to in a standard account anyway, making your data no safer. It's easier to bork the system in an admin account, but the system is easily replaced.
I have seen (here and elsewhere) that creating a new Reg User account is the remedy when something suddenly won't work
That is true, but it's not a magic wand. In this case, though, I don't think that's likely to help. You're welcome to try it, but I highly recommend doing so in a non-destructive way, so that you can easily switch back to your regular account if it doesn't work.

How do I change my admin account to a standard acct without losing anything?

I'm not sure if that is the best way to phrase the question, but I have been reading a lot about the last trojan that seems to be causing problems. I am very careful about not downloading or installing things I am not sure of, but even then, I might want to download a picture that seems safe and be surprised. I have been reading that it is better to do daily internet tasks/surfs/etc from a standard rather than from my admin account. I am the only one regularly using my mac so I hadn't really thought that it was a problem. (I have a seperate account with parental controls set for my grandchildren to use). Can I turn this account into a standard account and then have a different admin account? And then what if I want to install something for my standard account to use? Would I still download audiobooks from a website I belong to to the admin account? If the issue is that I need to provide my admin password, why is it any safer on the standard account? I hope I'm making myself clear. I want to understand this so I can make the decision that works best for me, whichever way I chose to go.
Thanks,
Laverne's Mom

thank you for reminding me about Thomas' Corner. I read it probably a month after I got my Mac. I am not going to instll any AV software right now, but will look at ClamXav, which is the most recommended one on this forum, since I fall into the "might need peace of mind" category. I do think I "surf" very responsibly, don't download or install anything I am not sure of, don't do social networks (I may be the only person who has never been on Facebook) or open unknown emails, and use the WOT add on to alert me to dangerous websites. thank you for responding to the other post about the issue regarding general and admin accounts. If I change my mind, I know what options are available to me.
Laverne's Mom

TDM vi's work in Admin account, but not Limited user

I have an app that I wrote using the TDM VIs that works perfectly in the development environment and as an executable in an Admin account in WindowsXP. I am trying to deploy the app for use in a limited user account, and I am getting an error about an unrecognized file type. Is there a way to enable this functionality?
The VI is used to create a file map of a custom TDM file that was created using the TDM header writer VIs. I've included the VI and the executable in the archive, as well as a sample file to read (select the .tdm, not the .bin in the path control when running the program).
The actual error text is:
Error -2564 occurred at Open Storage
Possible reason(s):
LabVIEW: The software installed on this computer does not support the file format you requested. The Storage VIs access files through plug-in libraries LabVIEW and DIAdem install. Visit ni.com to download the library you need.
Thanks,
Chris
Attachments:
cTDM Map Test.zip ‏868 KB

The TDMS VIs probably are better, but I started this project before they were available, and I spent a considerable amount of time with the TDM Header Writer VIs to create my file format. I don't use the TDM VIs to write the files; I do that all with my own binary format that is fast and efficient. I also stripped out all the extraneous gunk that the TDM files like to put in, and customized the files with my own properties. Unfortunately, I am disappointed with the time necessary to read and write properties, but it's too late now to replace the whole system with a database backend.
Anyway, I'm hopeful that there is a solution to this problem. I doublechecked all the options in the installer and app build specifications, and I didn't see the checkbox for Storage VI Support. I have a fuzzy memory of this; is it possible that it existed in a previous version of the builder?
Chris

Software always installs to Domain Admin account on connected PC-cant install to Domain User account

I have completed the following steps:
Set up Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials successfully
Successfully connected a Windows 8.1 Pro PC to the network by running the Essentials Connector software
The PC has the following users: Original local account created when I installed Windows 8, Domain Admin account created when I ran the Essentials Connector account, Domain User created after PC was connected to the network.
Everything seems to be working fine. I have installed MS Office 365 Pro, Skype, various other applications while logged in as the Domain User. Every one of these installs triggered a UAC prompt, which was expected, and after entering the Domain Admin
credentials the install proceeded successfully. After install, the software was available to the Domain User, shortcuts appeared in the Start Menu or Desktop, appropriate directories were created in the Documents folder.
All except for 3 applications - upon being prompted for permission to install, I enter the Domain Admin credentials, installation proceeds, but the software is installed to the Domain Admin account-not the Domain User account. Shortcuts appear on the Domain
Admin desktop-Not the Domain User account, etc. I've tried:
Downloading a new copy of the software to the Domain User desktop & running it from there
Right-click file, Install as Admin
click file, Install as a different user
Right clicking file, Properties>Compatibility & changing compatibility settings
Right clicking file, Properties>Compatibility>Run as Administrator
None of these options have changed the result, the software is still installed to the Domian Admin account as opposed to the Domain User account. Any idea why these 3 software wont install correctly but everything else has? Any suggestions as to how to install
the software to the profile that doesn't involve making the Domain User an Administrator? Thanks for any help!

Hi voltron5,
Many programs may provide options: "install for everyone" or "just for current user", when you install them.
Please check if there are such options during the installation process.
If those three programs are all third-party applications. I suggest you should contact with the corresponding
support and confirm this.
If those three programs are Microsoft applications, would you please let me know specific information of those
three applications? Such as their names and so on. Meanwhile, when complete the installation, please check the software path was added in administrator environment variables or system environment variables.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Justin Gu

I just purchased a one year old iMac. How do I create a brand new admin account?

I just purchased a one year old iMac. How do I create a brand new admin account?

The first thing to do with a second-hand computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. You—not the original owner—must do that. How you do 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.
1a. If you don't own another Mac
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.
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 those 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.
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.
Some 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 may not be able to reinstall 10.6 even from the original discs, and Internet Recovery may 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.
1b. 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.
2. Partition and install OS X
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.
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.
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.
Then 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.
3. Other issues
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.
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.
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.

Can't delete admin account even as Root

We're experimenting with integrating our Mac users into Active Directory. I've read that you should delete the user account in Sys Prefs first and leave the home folder.
The problem we're having is that I can't delete the users account in system prefs even if I log in as the root user. I get a generic error after about 10 minutes of looking like it is working that says the account could not be deleted.
My guess is it has something to do with the fact that I had already logged into the same acount with an Active Directory login and the permissions have been changed on certain files and now it can't complete archiving the home folder because of some rights issue.
I have unbound the computer from the AD forest and ran disk permissions to no avail. I'd like to keep the existing home folder to use with the network login if possible so I haven't tried the quick delete option.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
-T
MacBook Pro 2Ghz, iMac, XServe, G5 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

You can't delete an account if it is logged in, or if it is the only admin account on the system. So make sure that there is at least one other admin account, and that the account you want to delete os logged out.

Help with understanding initial admin account vs. directory admin

Hello,
I am hoping someone can help me understand the initial admin account created when I was first configuring my server, and the directory admin.
I have setup an advanced server, and when I was going through the initial setup I created an account that for this discussion I'll call "admin." Once the initial setup was finished I started using Workgroup manager to create accounts. I was informed that I should create a different directory admin so I did and for this discussion we'll call that account "diradmin."
I am curious why the initial account of admin does not show up in workgroup manager, and why it does not show up as an option in Server Admin to assign permissions.
Is this making any sense?
Any explanation is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Scott

Hi
Presumably you used the Server Setup Assistant to configure Services prior to bringing the Server online?
Not a good idea really. When choosing Advanced after the Server Software has been installed don't enable/configure any service apart from Remote Desktop. Once the Server setup is complete run all available updates. Once you've done that begin to configure required Services using Server Admin. Once you've done that begin to populate your directory nodes with users using WorkGroup Manager.
The key to understanding the two accounts (a) System Administrator (admin UID 501) and (b) Directory Administrator (diradmin UID 100) is understanding which directory node you want to provide services to. The 'Local' node and the server in general (putting aside the super user 'root') will always be admin. Once you promote the Server from Standalone to OD Master you effectively create another Directory in addition to the Local one. This LDAP Directory can be used for all sorts of things. Principally enabling directory and contact information (amongst other things) to be shared/accessed with users that exist in that node with an enhanced authentication system (Kerberos) not available in the Local node and if the Server is in a Standalone Role. This LDAP Directory is controlled by diradmin. You won't be able to use admin for the LDAP node but you can use diradmin for the server in general - although I would not advise it. You can use root for both nodes - again I would not advise it unless absolutely necessary. Basically use admin to log into the Server and do the day to day stuff and use diradmin for the LDAP. Get into the habit of never having both applications open unless you are going to use them. Once you are done, quit out of them and leave them alone.
To toggle between the two Directory nodes launch Workgroup Manager and click on the small blue globe below the main set of icons at the top and above the Users/Groups/Machines tabs. You should see at least 4 selections: Local, /LDAPv3/127.0.0.1, Search Policy and Other. If you don't see /LDAPv3/127.0.0.1 select Other and browse for it. If you still don't see it then you effectively don't have an OD Master. This will severely limit the ability of server to provide auot-mounting networked home folders as well as access to iCal Server's features amongst other things.
Finally if you truly want LDAP and everything that goes with it then your DNS Service - wherever its placed - has to be correctly conigured and tested. This link is for a post that explains how to achieve this simply using the interface:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1251475&tstart=45
Depending on your network environment it might not be appropriate for you? However stick with it as it is a long post and you may find it useful?
Tony

Multiple Admin Accounts

Hi,
I've got one question regarding the administration of the BI Publisher,
can I have multiple admin accounts where the data sources are just available to a certain admin?
I just don't want that the admins can use the data sources of other admins or can see them.
Is that somehow possible?
BR
& thank you,
Lena

In the Standalone version BIP uses the same credentials to connect to the datasources, irrespective of the user logged in, hence I cannot think of how this restriction can be done, perhaps in a future release this may be supported.
In the BI publisher that comes embedded with systems, like JDEdwards, Siebel, etc The security is controlled by the user rights assigned to the user in the application BI Publisher is embedded with.
If your requirement is Binding, you may want to consider a different Instance of BIP for each exclusive datasource.

ACR 5.4 not active in user account, but IS in admin account?

I created a new user account on an Intel Mac Pro running OS 10.5.8. Camera Raw is not available in either Bridge or Photoshop. I can acess ACR in Bridge and Photoshop when logged in to the admin account. Here is a very curious thing. The file path to the ACR plug-in is:
root/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-Ins/CS4/File Formats/amera Raw.plugin
When I view the ACR plugin in the Finder from the admin account, I see the icon for ACR and the file info etc. that same file path when viewed from the new user acount shows a blank icon and the file size says "Zero KB on disk." So for some reason ACR is not being recognized as a plug-in in the new user account.
I have repaired permissions, and even went in to change permission for ACR to "read&write" for everyone. How can I get ACR to function in a user account?

Hi,
Please try updating the Acrobat and then check the issue.
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=1&platform=Windows
Download the update for 11.0.07.
Regards,
Anoop

Just bought a second hand MacPro early 2008 running Mavericks. How do I reset it to standard deleting previous owner admin account?

Just bought a second hand MacPro early 2008 running Mavericks. How do I reset it to standard, deleting previous owner admin account?
The previous owner seems to have cleared most of his stuff but I can't make changes as it's asking for the admin password!
Is there a way to reset the MacPro back as if I was logging on for the first time so that I can set it up as my computer?

The first thing to do with a second-hand 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 onthis 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 theApple 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.

Dashboard Doesn't Work In User/Non-Admin Account

While Dashboard works in my Admin. account, it doesn't consistently work in the user accounts. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. If it is there it is probably because of something I have fiddled around with in the accounts and parental controls but I can't remeber what I did!
Clicking to activate dashboard produces nothing and dragging icons to the desktop (after clicking the + sign) gives nothing. (blurriness/waves, then blank..)
I have tried repairing permissions and deleting various .plist files as suggested on the forums but to no use. What should I do?
iMac G5 iSight Mac OS X (10.4.7)

I have precisely the same problem as the poster. DB works in admin and not in non admin. The permissions were ok. I had not tried deleting plists. I did download another widget and then without seeming to have done anything apposite it worked. Now after restarts and close down no go in non admin.
I have by the way got all the widgets in the HD Library so as I am told they are available to all users.
As for the reference to parental controls, 'dashboard.app' can only be got to through the 'locate' button and when I try that the message is that the app won't work under the restrictions on the non admin. He is set to be forbidden some apps like Apple script and Terminal. He does not have full access to the system prefs, or ibnstaller, what I think are sensible erstrictions. So what facilities does 'dashboard.app' require? Can't find info in the KB.
Incidentally when I try another posters recommendations to kill dashboard processes in Activity monitor the processes merely pop up again under a different PID. They are all running under the admin user where I performed this action. Must I effectively have to try AM under the 'faulty' non admin to test the Activity Monitor kill? That still leaves the issue of the facilities needed by dashboard to run under the non admin.
After all what need should there be for dashboard in an admin account. Its 'proper' use is the 'normal' account, in this case a non admin.

Admin account starts up but is frozen instantly. No classic solution works

Hi all,
I have a rather old MacBook Pro 17 inch from 2008 which has been working superbly up to a few days ago. I am running Maverick 10.9.3 (I updated straight from Snow Leopard about 6 months ago) and that worked peachy, but three days ago, suddenly my computer decided it was done working.
The nature of the problem:
- I log into my main account and I can move the mouse but cannot click on anything
- Within a few seconds the mouse arrow becomes a spinning wheel and I can't do anything anymore but a hard power off
- The majority of times my dock does not appear
- If it appears, both documents and downloads (next to the bin on the dock) look weird, as if the folder icons are not working
- Folders I have on my desktop also do not show up and if they show up, I cannot open them
- I have no single device connected to my computer (no peripherals) and the problem occurs both at home and at work
- The last software I added was about 5 months ago, the program R (open source econometrics / data handling) which ran smoothly all the time as well as windows remote desktop which allows me to access my work computer remotely, which also worked fine.
- I have about 100GB of free space on my hard disk
After a variety of tests and trials I know the following:
- the problem seems limited to my admin account (which is the one I generally work on). I managed to log in with an alternative account and could even change internet settings from my other account (I am on a work network and I need admin permission on my own computer to allow other accounts on the internet)
- I tried safe rebooting (press shift after the chime) -> no avail
- I tried resetting NVRAM (command, control, P and R) -> no avail
- I even tried logging into the command window (command S upon reboot) and doing the evergreen: /sbin/fcsk -fy -> no avail (although I did learn that the max resorts to US keyboard settings in that window). I got the message I am supposed to get when everything works fine and tried rebooting without success.
I updated to 10.9.4 through my secondary account while I was writing this question. I can still log in to my secondary account, but was once again forced to hard power off my main account.
- The only change is that my documents folder in my dock did appear normal now but as from the moment I clicked on any folder, the dreaded spinning wheel re-emerged => completely frozen again
Any suggestions to fix the problem would be very welcome.
Specifically
- I have been really bad at keeping my computer backed up (because my time machine is not logged into the wifi at my home). I'd love to find out if I can run a back-up from another account. I mainly want to keep my photo's, all the rest is pretty much on dropbox
- Any kind of diagnostics I can run from another account would be fantastic

Boot into the Recovery Drive by holding down Command R when restarting.
1) Run Repair Drive and Repair Permissions using Disk Utility in Recovery.
2) See directions here to run repair permissions **on YOUR files while in Recover. (not the same as Disk Utility Repair Permissions.)
3) Restart
4) Download and run the combo updater to refresh your OS X files.
OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 Update (Combo)
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1755
5) Still have problems, download EtreCheck and paste results here for help troubleshooting.
http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck
MORE INFO ON WHY RUNNING COMBO FIXES ISSUES
Apple updates available from the Software Update application are incremental updates. Delta updates are also incremental updates and are available from Apple Downloads (software updates are generally smaller than delta updates). The Combo updates contain all incremental updates and will update files that could have become corrupted.
Combo updaters will install on the same version as they're applying--no need to roll back or do a clean install.
"Delta" updaters can only take you from one version to the next. For example: 10.9.3 to 10.9.4. If somehow the 10.9.3 is missing something it should have, and that something isn't changed between 10.9.3 and 10.9.4 it will still be stale after the delta update.
**(Fair disclosure: NeedHelp4Mac is my site. I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.)

Disabling private bowsing on admin account....

Hi. I leave my mac logged in to my account, but it is occasionally used by other people. I'd really prefer to remove the "private browsing" option from safari, but I want to leave it as an admin account.
any ideas?

Welcome back to Apple's Users Help Users Forums.
Hi mistafeesh, looks like you have it solved.
Glad the problem is fixed. You got some great help from Yang. Yang likes Stars. You have rewards to hand out.
Gold Star = Helpful = 5 pts w 2 available and Green Star = Solved = 10 pts.
That will do two things. [1] Alerts readers to a possible solution to their problem. And [2] It adds points helping the contributer reach the next level.
Glad that did the trick for you. JP

Lion Admin account issues

What looked like a very smooth change at the beginning is turning into a very tedious affair. Apart from having to deal with no support for PC-software, I am experiencing a problem with my admin account. It was transferred from Snow Leopard to Lion but is only partially recognized. Sometimes, when trying to make changes, I get the admin password prompt, on other occasions it won't allow me to install anything new. I tried to set up a new admin account, but to no avail. I am still told that I am logged in in a standard account. Rebooting, logging out and in again, etc. does not help. Can anybody help with this, or do I need to revert to 10.6.8 until Apple has fixed this glitch? And how would I do that? Thanks for any suggestions.

the directory services entry for your admin group is corrupted and needs to be replaced. see this post by biovizier for a solution.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9141393#9141393

10.3 - No Admin Accounts available

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