ADMIN went to STANDARD?

Hi,
I just installed the leopard and my admin account turned into standard. I have browsed around and I already restarted my mac and held down the C key but that didn't work it went straight to my desktop. I tried going into single user mode by holding the command key and S key but that didn't work!
Can somebody help me!
Also is there way just to start brand new as I just bought this MACBOOK from a friend and I wanted to start brand new like erasing the hard drive and what not.

I noted the same problem on our administrator's computer and I managed to help him out. Somehow in the course of running an upgrade after the initial leopard install, his (only) account changed from Administrator to Standard. You can fix this by (temporarily) enabling the "root" administrator account.
There are two ways to enable the root account. One is to use the Reset Password option on the Leopard install DVD. Another is to set the password in single user mode. I chose the later.
1. Restart your computer whilst holding down the "Apple" + "s" keys (e.g. single user mode)
2. A bunch of unix status message messages will roll by. Next type the following command to enable write access to your hard disk
mount -uw / (note there is a space between the option "-uw" and the forward slash symbol "/")
3. Use the password command to enable the "root" account:
passwd root (enter the password at the prompt -- you will need this password later"
4. Type the command "exit" to continue to boot process into multiple user mode
exit
When the login screen appears, login as "root" with the new password you just entered. You will have administrator privileges. Go to the "Accounts" pane within the "System Preferences" window. Choose your account and click the "allow user to administrate this computer" option.
Once this is done, it is probably a wise decision to disable root access. Once can do this in the GUI by starting the "Directory Utility" in the "Utilities" folder. From the edit menu, choose "Disable Root User" and voila, no more root account. As "root" is a standard unix name for an account with all reaching permissions and is an obvious name to guess for a person up to no good, it is arguably better to disable it using the above procedure.

Similar Messages

Admin accounts now standard

I have a MacBook Pro that overnight changed all the admin accounts to standard user account including the ROOT account. I even followed the instructions in the apple article TS1278 but it still leaves the root account as an admin. Other than performing a reinstall, is there anything else that can be done.

Hi,
I've to revamp this discussion to clearify few doubts about V.K.'s procedure
I've read the procedure at this link:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7747478
I've to ask something to you V.K.:
1) Sorry but English is not my mother-language so... I can't completely understand this part of your post:
+"If you can't get rid of errors do not proceed with other commands and enter+
reboot
+This will reboot the computer. Post back. "+
Do you mean that if I NOT get errors message I've to reboot the computer and reapeat the "fsck -fy" procedure or I've to reboot anyway and checking again the disk?
2) When you talk about recreating the Administrator Group, if I have more then a user (for istance: A and B), but I want only 1 admin (A), I'll digit only the unix command about user A, is it right?
Will it not cause any problem to user B? Will it still remain a standard user?
Thanks for any response to my questions,
Matteo
Message was edited by: Macteo

Lost Admin Account - Only Standard ones remain... Please Help!

Okay this one is a real kicker, About 10 months ago I helped a friend upgrade their iMac 1.6 G5 to Leopard. All went well and they installed all the updates etc.
A few month ago the Logic Board failed and they got a local Apple Engineers firm to replace the new logic board. They did this and the machine runs fine... however.
They now want help setting up a time machine drive, but... and here is comes... the accounts on the machine... all of them are Standard accounts. None of them are Administration accounts.
So the time machine setting are locked, I click the padlock to unlock and I get prompted for admin Username and Password... both fields are blank. SO I check in the Accounts settings to find that both Users on the machine are Standard and neither have Admin writes.
I can only presume that the company that replaced the logic board, created a new admin account, reset the other accounts to standard, did the work, then deleted the Admin account they created and forgot to reset the Standard accounts back to admin (I have spoken them and they deny all knowledge). before giving it back to my friend.
Is there anyway to find out what the Admin account details are...? Or maybe even root details... (in terminal) so I can at least unlock the User control panel and reset the user accounts back to admin.
Please help with this one... I didn't even know it was possible to run a MAc without an admin account?!

Then, try the steps in http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1274 and http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1323191 If nothing there works, then your only solution is to make copies of the Users and Applications folders to another disk, wipe the current one, reinstall the OS, create a new admin user account, use the migration assistant to transfer the Users to the machine, change their status to admin, ensure that works, and delete the new account. Do the same with the Applications or reinstall them. Once you sort things out, make a bootable backup/clone on an ext HD so this never occurs again.

Downloading and installing on admin account vs standard account

What is the difference for downloading and installing files when:
logged in on an admin account
logged in on a standard account (using the admin details when prompted)
I ask this, because when I am in my standard account, the downloaded files and installed applications are owned by the standard account. Does this affect how the files run on other standard accounts?

In other words, is it better to do all downloading and installing whilst logged into the admin account? The Ownership & Permissions is stopping me from doing this when logged in on my standard account. There are many other standard accounts, and I am concerned that my standard account will not be equal. This is because of the permissions issues outlined previously.
P.S. Sorry for the multiple posts. I can't find a way to edit the original post.

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

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 switch admin account to standard

I've managed to convert my admin account to a standard account on my MacBook Pro, however, on my iMac this didn't work. Both systems were upgraded from Mavericks to Yosemite, the iMac from ML to Mavericks.
I cannot disable the Allow user to administer this computer item on my iMac -- that is, I did disable it, I was requested to reboot after that, but now the box is still ticked but I cannot untick it (from the Admin account that I've created). So I'm still working with admin rights .

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

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

Transferring files from admin account to standard account w/Filevault on

Hey everybody,
Morning! I want to transfer all of my files from my Admin account to a Standard account for better security but Filevault is activated on both. I saw the post in the Apple Support Community: http://discussions.apple.com/thread/3009375?start=15&tstart=0 ; but I don't know if this will apply to my current situation because Filevault is on. Any help would be aptly thanked my peeps. Peace.

So I tried following the commands in the link and ended up moving my home folder from User 1 to User 2 but now I can change the ownership over to User 2. I trashed the the copied folder from User 1 while in User 2 and it deleted everything on my User 1 account so I had to put it back. PLEASE HELP!!

Airport network + 1 admin account + 1 standard account on the same Mac

Hello,
I have not succeeded yet in finding in this forum any answer to my problem but I guess this is a quite familiar one and may be some of you could help.
My configuration:
1) one Imac G5 Power PC (OS 10.4.6) + 1 Airport Express base station with firmware 6.3 (mostly to play Itunes on distant loudspeakers and, sometimes, for Ethernet connection).
2) one domestic Airport network protected with a WAP key.
3) 1 admin user account + 1 standard user account, both on the same Mac.
My concern:
1) When I am connected to to the admin account, my Airport network starts automatically (especially, thanks to the configuration settings "automatically connect to to the last network used" (or smthg like that) => so far, so good.
2) When I try to connect to the standard account (even when the admin one is already started), I always receive a window for authentification requiring an admin name and password for Airport (com.apple.airport.allow.network.cha): at this time the Airport icon in the menu bar is gray (no signal nor no activity?) and, in the list of the possible networks, my own one is not marked (meaning "not started"). Of course, as soon as I key in the correct data in the authentification window, the AE network starts for the standard account session => this behavior concerns me since the interest of a standard account is to have it running without the support of the admin user.
3) Last but not least and very strange behavior: when I am at step 2) (connection to the standard account), if I do not fill immediately the authentification form and go back to the admin account, when coming back again to the standard one, the authentification window has disappeared and the AE network is already running => magic but not comfortable in a normal way of doing.
Is this a problem of configuration of the AE network or configuration of the user accounts or a keychain problem? I have investigated in all areas for a while but without success at this time. Hope some of you will be able to help.
Sincerely
Christophe

Hello again,
I have not received yet any answer to my initial post (see above) but, unfortunately, the troubles described keep going. I noticed that, some of you, seem to be very familiar with Airport troubleshooting. May be, some of you will be able to help.
In addition to my initial description here is the content of the authentification window and, especially, the system element which requires an admin password for the standard account. May be it could help for a better understanding of the problem and a better investigation:
" Authorization : com.apple.airport.allow.network.cha
Tool : airport (complete path = Imac G5 de myname / System / Library / PrivateFrameworks / Apple80211.framework / Resources / airport "
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Christophe
Imac (2GHz PowerPC G5) Mac OS X (10.4.7) Airport Express station (firmware 6.3)
Imac G5 (2GHz PowerPC G5) Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Launching application in admin mode for standard users from start/menu

hi
i am currently working on an application which runs fine for admin users but for standard users it ask for admin user name and password. creating shim is not working. what will be the other option so that application can be run for standard users without
asking admin credentials?
thanks all

hi i am developing this application and we are deploying silently to some user's machine. Also i tried to use ACT and shim it as "Run as admin","Run as involker","Run as highest"but nothing works so far. so dont know which option to use. Any registry capture
would be good? or can i know how to apply shim?
I am following the route like
1) create the shim.
2) install application
3) run as standard user. or 1) install application 2) install shim 3) run as standard user.
Nothing works....
Thanks all

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?

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

Vista and iTunes shared library - Admin vs. Standard User

Here's a good one.....I am the administrator of the family's Vista desktop computer, my kids are Standard Users. When I log in to the computer and bring up iTunes, I am able to see and access our shared library of music on our Synology DS207+ NAS. When either of my kids log in and bring up iTunes, the DiskStation appears on the left side underneath 'shared' but when they click on it, they are not able to access the music. A dialog box appears with the following message: 'the shared library "Disk Station" is not responding (-39). Check that any firewall software running on either the shared computer or this computer has been set to allow communication on port 3689.'
Their Standard User accounts can access the music on the NAS through mapped drives and windows explorer.
I am running CA (Computer Associates) Security Center and the firewall has the same rules in place for all of our logins. Here is the strange thing, when I change their account type from Standard User to Administrator, they are able to access the shared library of music, no more dialog box with that message. I change their account type back to Standard User and again, they are not able to access the music, and they get that message again.
When I am logged in and enter the 'netstat' command, I see the following entry under foreign address:
NAS:3689 Established
When the kids are logged in, I see the following:
NAS:microsoft-ds Established
I've tried a lot of different things, too numerous to even remember or mention, all with no success. Some troubleshooting measures include:
- change the kids permissions to the music folder on the DiskStation from read only to read/write.
- disabled (not uninstalling) tcpip v6.
- tried every combination of new firewall rule, to include ports 3689, 5353 and every port (and range) in between.
- file and printer sharing is off on the administrator account, and is off on the standard user(s) accounts, but enabling it does not allow access to the library.
- uninstalled Bonjour but once I do that, I cannot see the shared library anymore.
- upgraded Bonjour to the latest version but still no success.
If anybody reading this has other suggestions, please respond.

I actually followed this, but I still had problems that I listed above. Is there any way that when you make changes to one account (even if there is only one main account where changes are made), the changes are automatically (or at least easily) applied to the other user accounts?

Another Admin changed to Standard

I'm darned good with computers, but for the life of me, I can't get the directions posted http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306876 here to make any sense. When I boot my MacBook with the Leopard CD, I am not given a Utilities option. When I go to the Utilities area via Finder, I only see the option to change the password on my standard account name (my name).
Am I missing something here? I'm finding step 3 extremely confusing. Thanks.

When you boot the DVD, and the Leopard installer splash screen shows up, there is a menu at the top of the screen. One of the menu items is "Utilities," and you can select the right utility from there.
It's not entirely obvious, but it's certainly there.

ADMIN went to STANDARD?

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