Admin Account unexpectedly changed to Standard in OS X 10.4.11

After installing iPod Touch upgrade and new iPod shuffle, my admin account on iMac G5 power pc running 10.4.11 has been changed to standard, and I have no Admin account. I have seen postings on this related to Leopard, but I have not upgraded to Leopard. iMac is current on all updates for current OS.
I am currently backing up - please help.

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How to Create a New Admin Account and Change Original to Standard Account?

I have a single user admin account that I set up when I got my PowerBook. Now I want to have two accounts with the new one being the admin account. This way I can leave most of the data files, email accounts, etc. with the old account and use the new one for personal data and admininistration. Then I could give out the password for the original account without fear that a user could change permissions and get access to the new account with the personal data. Can I create a new admin account and then change the original account to "Standard" instead of "admin"? What problems will this create?
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

i2:
Not sure if you are asking if or how. Templeton has
answered if. Here's how.
Apple Menu > System Prefs > Accounts. Click on the +
under User Options to create new account. Go to
Security and check box at bottom to make account
admin. You can take care of the other items, picture
etc, login options etc.
To make the other account Standard select the
account, go to Security and deselect box "Allow User
to Administer".
Hope this answers your questions.
Good luck.
cornelius
PismoG4 550,
100GB 5400 Toshiba internal, 1 GB RAM; Pismo 500 OS
(10.4.4) Mac OS X (10.3.9) Beige G3 OS
8.6
Thanks, I'm tying to find out if I will run into problems, such as not being able to use the new admin account to change permissions in the old.

Account Administrator changed to Standard

After re-installing Snow Leopard, my Account Administrator status was changed to Standard.
I can't unlock the Account to re-make myself the Administrator, or do a software update, etc.
Help!!!
Don

baltwo
I also tried using your 12/17/09 post #106290... "Enabling and using the "root" user in Mac OS X
In the section..."How to disable the root user Mac OS X 10.6" (below) I found no Edit button on the bottom-right of the Accounts/Login Options.
Also my Directory Utility app repeatedly quit upon opening. Will there be a problem if I can't disable the Root User?
Don
From the Apple menu choose System Preferences....
From the View menu choose Accounts.
Click on the lock and authenticate with an administrator account.
Click Login Options....
Click the "Edit..." button at the bottom right
Click the "Open Directory Utility..." button.
Click the lock in the Directory Utility window.
Enter an administrator account name and password, then click OK.
Choose Disable Root User from the Edit menu.

OS X server Admin accounts turned Standard

i am running 10.8.5 server on a mac pro. I tried to login to my OD server and found that all of the admin accounts were changed to Standard. I logged into root to try and fix it but that would let me log in but not change any of the accounts to admin.

Do you have a question?

Does disabling specific OS functionality in Terminal with Admin account affect standard users too?

Hello,
I am performing some security enhanacements and had a question:
Is it safe to assume that any service-disabling Terminal command that I enter under my Admin account will affect all standard users as well? I other words, any string that includes "System/Library/LaunchDaemon..." etc will affect all standard users too, right? I am presuming that if the services I am disabling were only for individual user logins, the string would start with 'user' and not 'system.' Is this correct?
I disabled all that I wanted under my Admin account, but am wondering if I need to do the same for each standard account too (which would pose a problem because the standard accounts don't have 'sudoer' access) . . .
Thanks!

any string that includes "System/Library/LaunchDaemon..." etc will affect all standard users too, right?
Yes. I suggest you make yourself completely familiar with the OS X startup process before you start making changes.
Technical Note TN2083: Daemons and Agents

Admin account switched to standard with Lepard instal, please help!!

I'll try to make this quick and easy. I have a mac mini that came with 10.4.5. I continuously performed updates and had no problems until July. In July my computer completely crashed so I reinstalled 10.4.5. After the install I could not get the updates to work, I even went back and tried the the first update for 10.4.5. (Important note) at this time my admin account was still active and working. So with the computer not updating I decided to install Leopard. The Leopard update was successful except for the fact that my admin account was changed to a standard account. This is where the problems really starts. Please keep in mind that I have weeks of research into my problem and every solution I've tried so far has not worked. Here are just a few examples of what I have tried. I have tried to enable the root user through directory utility, accounts, 10.4.5 install disk utility reset password and a couple of other methods that I cant think of off the top of my head. Now hear are the problems I'm having. Some of the enable root options require an admin account and password. Other enable root options require that I go to certain files or folders to enable the root but with this option I don't have that file or folder and/or it does not work due to the fact that my computer is 10.4.5 and not 10.5 and newer. Now the last couple of options require that I run the install disc to reset password or that I trash everything and start from new. The problem with this is I can't get the install disk to run. I have tried to insert the disk, click on the install icon but it requires an admin name and password to preform a restart. I have kept the install disk in the drive and have performed restart and shut down/power up from the apple menu. I have powered down and back up with the power button. Now keep in mind that I have tried every option without holding down the "C" key and with holding down the "C" key with no results. So to sum this last bit up, no matter how I try to restart the computer the install disk will not run and my computer will boot up like normal and bring me to the desk top. One more note, I have tried all the restart options with the 10.4.5 disk and the leopard disc. At this point I want to start from scratch and perform an install of 10.4.5. At this point it does not mater if I loose everything since it is all backed up on an external HD. Please help I am open to all ideas and options.
Thanks, Dan

Dan, does it stat in Single User Mode? If so, we can get a new admin User.
applesetupdone...
This was Posted by: JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM
"OK, restart your computer, hold down Command-s and type in the following:
/sbin/fsck -fy Enter
/sbin/mount -uaw Enter
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone Enter
# The rm command is the remove command which deletes the file.
# Robert: I'd rename the file via: mv /var/db/.applesetupdone /var/db/.applesetupdone.old
reboot Enter
Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!
end of posted by: JoseAranda"
Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD...
http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/

Lost admin account now standard

My admin account has changed for some reason and now is a Standard account only. So I cannot upgrade any software or perform any admin functions on this iMac G4 now. How can I upgrade this account again to perform Admin functions ?
Many thanks,
Charles

Catch 22
It says start from your Mac OS X Install DVD. However to do so from System Preferences/Startup Disk requires an Administrator account and password which I no longer have as the admin account has disappeared.
Any other ideas anyone please ?
Thanks,
Charles

Lightroom 3 asks for serial number launching in non-admin account

The following information was provided by Carey Burgess (Adobe Employee):
Does Lightroom 3 launch and work fine in an admin account, but when you launch the application in a standard (i.e. non-admin) account it asks for a serial number?
If so, then it is likely due to a file permissions issue either in the original (admin) account or with the standard account.
(Although you need administrator access to install Lightroom, and you do need proper access permissions to your photos, you should be able to run Lightroom without issue in a standard user account.)
Lightroom 3 stores registration data (the serial number) in a file called Lightroom 3.0 Registration, which is stored by default in one of these locations:
    * Mac OS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom
    * Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom
    * Windows 7/Vista: C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Lightroom
- Check for the registration file in the appropriate location for your system.
If the file does not exist in that location, then ensure you are logged in with the admin account (the one where Lightroom doesn't prompt for a serial number) and check the user-specific location instead:
    * Mac OS: /Users/YOUR USER NAME/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom
    * Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USER NAME\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom
    * Windows 7/Vista: C:\Users\YOUR USER NAME\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom
If the file exists in the user-specific location instead, then I would suggest that you ensure that you have quit Lightroom, and then move the registration file from the user location to the default system-wide location. Lightroom should now no longer prompt for serial number when you open it from a non-admin account.
If the registration file did (or now does) exist in the default system-wide location, but you are still being prompted to enter a serial number when opening Lightroom in a standard user account, then that account does not have sufficient access permission to the registration file.
To resolve this aspect, there are two possible solutions (the first being the recommended solution):
1. Change the access permissions on the Lightroom folder that contains the registration file to grant "Read" access for the standard user account. (You can do this for each account individually, or you can use a broader group like Everyone.)
For more information about changing permissions, see one of these articles:
    * Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308419#4
    * Windows Vista/Windows 7: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-are-permissions
    * Mac OS: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/8342.html
2. Copy the registration file from the system-wide location to the user-specific location for the standard user account. (You would need to repeat this step for each standard user that needs access to Lightroom.)
Reply here if these steps do not resolve your issue, or if you have any questions.

Months ago, I had a routine clearout of old software boxes etc and chucked out my Lightroom 1.0 box. A couple of weeks ago I reinstalled Lion on my mac to find that I cannot register Lightroom. I have the 3.0 upgrade serial, the 2.0 upgrade serial, but the 1.0 was on the box..
I followed the instructions above to find the files in crashplan form before the fomat that hold the registration details. I have tried placing them in the location described, but it doesn't seem to work.
The serials (or something) are in the file, but given in the string that is difficult to decipher - and doesn't work in the registration screen, wrong size and a mix of letters and numbers rather than just numbers as my 3.0 serial is.
Any suggestions for what I could do? Could I send the strings in to Adobe to be deciphered? Perhaps move files around a bit more?
Thanks in advance,
Rog.

(Yosemite) Admin account woes after upgrading this weekend.

Hi,
I seem to have got myself in a little bother on my Mid-2007 iMac Core 2 Extreme after upgrading to Yosemite this weekend.
Since about Tiger I've had two accounts on this Mac, an admin and a daily use account. My wife and I share the daily use (1), with the admin account (4) only logged in to when sudo won't do.
It seemed clear to me with iOS8 and Yosemite that it was going to be better to align AppleIDs with user accounts so I created a new account for my daughter with her AppleID (2) and a new one for me with my other AppleID (3) (an old MobileMe account) however perhaps in error I used the alias address from the MobileMe account. I couldn't log in with it at all and can't work out how to change which AppleID email address is used with that OS X account. Then I noticed that my original Admin account (4) was a Standard User and now I'm in a position where the only Admin account on this machine has never been logged-in to and won't work - presumably because I used an alias rather than the primary address.
I've gone through Recovery Disk > Terminal > reset password > but that doesn't seem to work - perhaps because it's an AppleID OS X user rather than a local user(?)
Does anyone have any ideas how I should go about recovering from this?
Failing all, should I hit restore in Time Machine; it hasn't taken a backup since before the upgrade (I've disconnected the TimeCapsule to make sure) - anyway most of our recently changed files from the last two weeks will be safely on Dropbox/Photo stream.
Many thanks
mrtotes

Solution
After several further hours pondering/Googling:
1. Boot into Single User Mode
2. Type: mount - uw (sets write access on drive)
3. Type: rm /var/db/ .AppleSetupDone (removes the file that tells the iMac that setup is done
4. Exit
Upon rebooting the Setup app started so I was able to create a temporary Admin user and correct
my errors.
Regards,
mrtotes
P.S. Now looking at Firmware Password given how easy that was once I knew now.

How can i delete admin accounts

how can i delete admin accounts on imac running lion

Apple says that admin accounts should be only used for tasks that require them, and not for any other reason. Apple even goes so far as to say to never browse the web or check email while logged in to an admin account.
The reason is for security. When logged in to an admin account, everything you do, every program and process you run, runs with elevated admin privileges. Running with higher privileges than is necessary can be a security risk. There is no reason for your web browser, for example, to be running all the time with admin rights.
If you're currently running as admin it's easy to switch. Make a new admin account, and change your previous account from admin to standard. You can then continue using your old account as you always have.
You'll find that you rarely if ever need to actually log in to the admin account. Nearly all admin and even root tasks, like installing software, can be done from any non-admin account, by entering the admin username/password when prompted.

Making non-admin account

I've been using an admin account for everything (no scolding please), but am considering using a non-admin account instead.
Seems to me easiest would be I could simply change it from admin to non-admin, and back again when necessary. Would there be any problems doing it this way?
Or must I create a new, non-admin account and copy / migrate my current home folder from the admin account, and as much else as possible, over? If I have to go the second route, what's the easiest way to do that? Thanks.

Thanks Kiraly, Yeah, I think that's what BD had in mind when he said make sure to have another working Admin account before changing to non-Admin.
I've just been doing a little experimenting. I already have another Admin "test" account. What I've noticed is I can use the password from that one in the "main" working Admin account, but not the other way. Strange. Tried logging in to the "test" account with the "main" account password, but it wouldn't let me. But no problem logging in to the "main" account with the "test" password. In any case, since I've already got another working Admin account, it should be no problem, as you say, to change this one to non-Admin and use the test pword to authenticate when necessary.
*BD, if you're reading this,* you didn't think it would be all that dangerous to keep this one Admin. referring, I suppose, to the low risk of my wreaking havoc to the system files and data. Apart from the issue of my wife also using this account--and I actually don't think she'll do anything bad--isn't the main risk supposed to be a security one? That, navigating with an Admin account, some sort of rootkit, backdoor or keylogger, or whatever, might have unimpeded access to the system itself?

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

Mac OS X Server 10.7 changed my admin account to standard

Hello everyone,
I have a big problem. I installed Mac OS X Server from Mac App Store. Then I deleted it, but Mac OS X Server changed my administrator account to standard account and I cannot administrate my Mac mini :-(. I cannot use my password and there is not any other administrator account. Do you know to change back my standard account to administator account? Thank You

10.7 How to create a new admin account on the machine when you can't log in.
Hold command and r keys down and boot into Recovery, open Terminal and type each and press enter
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
reboot
Once in:
Open System Preferences > Users and Groups
Click on the lock icon, enter admin password.
Select your old user account and click on the reset password button on the right
Enter the new password, write both passwords down less you forget
Reboot and log in.

Cannot change admin user to standard user (2 Admin Accounts)

I have an issue that I would like some help with. When I purchased my iMac a few years ago, I created one user account and just started using my computer. I am trying to implement a few Safe Computing practices by creating a new Admin user account and changing my original user account to a Standard user.
For some reason, I cannot change either of the accounts to a standard user after I type in the password. I've logged in as both and tried to change the other user profile to a standard user, but the checkbox is greyed out on both of the Admin User accounts.
I can create a new standard user, but I have everyting set the way I like it on my current Admin user account. It would be much easier to have a new Admin User account and "Downgrade" my original Admin account to a standard user account.
Any thoughts on why the option to change from an Admin user to a standard user would be "Greyed Out"? The support articles walk me through, what should be a few simple steps, but I can not change the settings because the checkbox is greyed out.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts, suggestions, ideas....

In a way it makes sense that the original Admin Account can;t be changed. If a user changed that account to non-admin and that was the only admin account it would be a mess to undo it. I agree that there should be some indication of this and even the ability to over rider it in a case like yours.
As there isn't the next best thing will be for you to duplicate the current admin account as a new user account and then use that duplicated account.
See How to copy a user account for instructions on how to duplicate an account.
post back if you have any questions.
regards

The administrator account on my iMac has been changed to standard account somehow. How do I change it back to Admin. without any admin account to put password in with..?

I have an iMac 21.5 Intel based comp. running Lion 10.7.3

Somehow you managed to demote the only admin account, despite the safeguards in place to prevent it. I don't remember ever seeing that before. I'd be curious to know how you did it, and why.
Option 1
If you've enabled root logins, log in as root and promote the other user to an admin.
Option 2
Boot from your recovery partition (command-R at startup) and restore your system from the last Time Machine snapshot taken before the damage was done, if you know when that was.
Option 3
Back up all data, then boot in single-user mode. When the text stops scrolling, follow the prompts to make the boot volume writable. Then enter the following command:
ls /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
You should get the following line of output below what you entered:
/var/db/.AppleSetupDone
If you do, then very carefully enter the following command:
rm !$
Now you should get no output. Then enter
reboot
The system will boot into the Setup Assistant, as if you were setting it up for the first time. Create a user with the same name as the old admin user. Log in and test. I'm not sure what will happen to your other user accounts, if any. You may need to recreate them.

Admin Account unexpectedly changed to Standard in OS X 10.4.11

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