Incorrect administrator's name and password

Hi All
I have just got back from my 4 week holiday. Soon I started my computer, it showed a list of software needed to be updated. So I clicked 'install items', then a window popped up asking me to enter administrator's name and password. As far as I can remember, I never needed to enter the administrator's name, all I needed to do was to type in the password. So for somehow my computer has now started asking me to enter the administrator's name. Anyway I have tried my usual username name and password, I keep getting this error message saying, 'sorry you entered an invalid username or password. Please try again.' But I am very sure the username and password I use are correct. I have absolutely no idea what has happened to my computer while I was away. I just wonder if anyone knows how to fix this problem?
Many thanks!

The same exact thing happened to me just the other day. I haven't changed the administrator name and I know the password is right because I reset it in System Preferences... but it is still telling me the Administrator name is wrong! I am baffled. I haven't done anything out of the ordinary and have been working with Macs forever!!

Similar Messages

I have no Admin account now, and keeps asking me to: Type an administrator's name and password to allow this.

i've installed the new beta Yosemite. After i found i didnt like it, i decided to return to Mavericks. Now, at the installation process i dont know what happened and now i dont have any admin account. so, the system keeps asking me to Type an administrator's name and password to allow this. and i cant do anything, because i only have an standard and a guest account. How can i make my standard account an admin one. Also, this makes me sick, because i cant install or configure anything.
ps. i regret about installing Yosemite beta. not good at all
these are some screenshots
http://prntscr.com/4ce3nx
http://prntscr.com/4ce43z

Do you still have a Recovery partition? To see if you do, hold down the command and R keys whilst booting and erase your boot drive and then reinstall the version of OS X that you last paid for or downloaded.
Call back if that doesn't work...
Clinton

Type an administrator's name and password to allow this

I upgraded to Mountain Lion a few days ago.
There is now some updates available for the computer on the Apple Store which I unfortunately can't download anything as a message saying an error has occurred keeps turning up, 3072.
I read stuff on this forum about closing the other accounts that may be using itunes...still nothing
It now asks me to type an administrator's name and password to allow this.
I realisez that my account was actually able to be used as an Administrator on the computer as it wasn't previously set up.
When I go to System Preferences to allow my account to administrate the computer, I actually need to unlock the lock on the bottom left in order to make some changes.
However it's asks an administrator's name and passwork in order to make some changes.
Seems like I am a stranger of my own Mac as I can't do anything.
Any suggestion please? as the computer has been running so slow for the past few days, I'm hoping after a software update everything will be back to normal.
Many thanks

A few ways, this might be easiest...
Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD...
http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/
Admin Hack...
http://www.hackmac.org/?q=node/4
Starts up like the first time you buy a new Mac, but after filling in all that info again, you should have access to the computer and the other Users & files will still be there... give the new User a different name than an existing one.

Type an administrator's name and password to allow Mac OS X to make changes

I just upgraded to Snow Leopard and now I am constantly receiving the following error message. I have seen several similar posts, but none with this Kaychain/Application. Please Help!
"Type and administrator's name and password to allow Mac OS X to make changes.
Mas OS X wants to use the "System" keychain.
Username:
Password:
Details: Keychain: System.Keychain
Application:PubSubAgent

Thanks for your help. I tried that but it did not work, the error message still pops up and I am now having to reenter passwords in things like ICAL and Mail. I also tried the Keychain repair and it repaired something but did not fix the problem. Do you have any other ideas?

Administrator's name and password - unable to make changes

I just bought my Macbook about two weeks ago, created a administrator name and password, and it worked just fine. However, for the past couple of days, I'm noticing that I cannot make any changes with Software Updates because when I type in the (CORRECT) name and password, the window says "You must type an administrator's name and password to make changes to Software Update. Please try again." Yes, I've BEEN typing the correct name/password. I've tried resetting the password which works fine, but when it comes to inputting it into a window, my macbook doesn't seem to read what I type in. Does anyone know what is going on here? Please help....

Reply to maurobras.
Seems to me that you have the lost admin problem.One of Leopard'd little ways I have experienced myself. That is the subject of many posts here. Situation (if I am correct in my supposition) is not that you have entered a wrong password, but that what you thought, and what had been till then, was a password of an administrator was not because Leopard had downgraded that user to a non admin.
Look up ' lost administartor' or such in the postings. Put the Leopard install DVD into the machine when booted up.>>>Restart holding down C key. This boots from the install disk. Do not install but look into the menus for the 're set password' option.>>> Choose to re set the root password>>> Write down a good PW for root and write it down.>>>Reset the root password>>>Close the DVD and log in as root with said PW.>>>As root go to System Preferences>>Open the little lock and choose the account that should be an admin>>tick the little box 'allow to administer..'>>>log out of root>>>log in as admin>>open application Directory Utility>> choose to disable root (a safety procedure). You should find now in Sys Prefs that the account IS an admin. Some have found problems getting an option to disable in Directory Utility in that case there is a aTerminal command, disenable root, that works. Make sure of syntax in any Terminal command. Look up man disenable.

HELP! Going round in circles trying to establish my original Administrator's name and password in order to install much needed updates.

I am going around in circles trying to establish my original Administrator's name and password so that I can install much needed updates.
I have my User ID and password. Advice please!

Yet another update,
So I got an email back earlier from complaints as i said in previous post, as soon as i got back home from work I called it. Spoke to the first person who put me through to Options, again I told them my problems and they looked through my notes and told me that they couldn't help and transfered me to another department. I then went through all my issues yet again and again was told I needed to be transfered to another department to downgrade. I got put through to Options (where i'd previously been transfered from) this time I got told that they could downgrade me but need to speak to a different person in Options, so again transfered to someone else. This time they said that they will do it, started giving me the details of the new package and was just about to give me a date when they said that because of a technical issue with the way my account was set up they could not continue. Was then told that the order will be handed to the offline team and will be contacted (no time scale given). So annoyed right now!!!!!

Won't accept administrator's name and password

hi there,
I just bought an imac 20 inch. Now it started up all good then I installed leopard and all seemed well, until I tried to software update. It asked for Admin name and password. I provided these and it just said 'You need to type an administrator's name and password to update', as if I didn't type anything at all.
Now I know my admin and password I am typing are correct as I can log out and on. So my next step was to re-install, but then I cannot do this without typing in admin and password which it just acts as if I don't write anything. I then tried to do the original disks holding 'c' then go to the password changer in 'utilities'...but wouldn't you know it it just crashes every time I open!
I am stuck and very frustrated... any help would be appreciated. I saw similar topics posted but none that really fit...please help. Thanks.....
PS- leopard kept on freezing on installation.

This same problem happened to me, all the sudden one day my mac decided to revert to the original standard root username and password which I obviously did not know. In order to change this:
1) Activate single user mode on reboot as by pressing cmd + s as your computer starts up. Make sure you do it right away, and keep the keys pressed down.
2) Where the cursor pops up, type exactly
/sbin/mount - uw/
3) When the next cursor pops up type exactly
passwd
4) Then you can type any password you want (now changing the root password to be what you want)
Note you will not be able to see what you type, but the text is being recognized
5)The computer asks for you to retype the password, retype it
6) Type reboot
Once the computer restarts you can navigate to system preferences>accounts> and then unlock the account (lock is located on the bottom left corner) using Username: root and the password you just set. Henceforth, you can appoint your account as the administrator. Hope it works!
PS- Google is a wondrous troubleshooting tool everyone!!! (Have posted this response to many posts already)

HT4889 Question - administrator user name and password

I have recently acquired an Imac to replace my elderly G4 and wish to transfer the G4 content to the Imac using Migration assistant. The authentication box has opened on the G4 asking for my administrator user name and password but in a senior moment I find I cannot remember where they are. Can anyone help me?

Hello, peterandmo.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
Here are the steps that will walk you through changing an admin account password using another admin account.
Resetting a user's password using an administrator account
Important: Passwords for administrator accounts should not be blank.
Log in with an administrator account. Tip: If you don't know the password of any administrator accounts, see "Resetting the original administrator account password" below.
From the Apple menu choose System Preferences.
From the View menu choose Users & Groups.
Click the lock button if it appears locked; enter the administrator password.
Select the name of the user whose password you want to change.
Click the Reset Password button or the Change Password button.
Enter a new password in both the New Password and Verify fields, and add a Password Hint if desired.
Click the Reset Password button or the Change Password button.
OS X: Changing or resetting an account password
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1274
Cheers,
Jason H.

Can't remember administrator's name and password for my e-mac.

Can't remember administrator's name and password for my e-mac. How can I reset it. A friend needs this computer and I need to update and remove software, etc.

Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access the Menubar at top.
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Reset Password from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Reset Password.
Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD...
http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/
Admin Hack...
http://www.hackmac.org/?q=node/4
Starts up like the first time you buy a new Mac, but after filling in all that info again, you should have access to the computer and the other Users & files will still be there... give the new User a different name than an existing one.

"Mac OS X wants to make changes. Type an administrator's name and password to allow this. Mac OS X wants to use the "system" keychain."

I just installed a Belkin router to my computer so I can connect to my apartment building's internet. EVerything is working fine, the internet works. But I'm now getting this message and I'm not sure what to do? Help?

I just solevd it :-)
I went to keychain access and reset my default keychain ...
After a system reboot and some certificate reimports, everyting is now fine.
Maybe my key chain got messed up?
Anyway, a reste on the keychain worked a treat ...
- chris

Dock is trying to allow an item to always run. Type an administrator's name and password to allow this.

I Installed "Eclipse" and "Java SE 6.0" on my macbook pro. This message apears when I try to open it. I'm unsure if this is just a new safety feature on mountain lion or a serious concern. I'd like to be sure before I open it.
Thanks in advance.

Alright, so in this case I imagine it's trying to allow a non app store application/unidentified developer application to run. This must be the setting/one of the settings that is changing. Why does it say always run? Is it warning against the worst possible comsequence to allowing this?

I'm trying to download an app that is not from the app store and it needs my administrations name and password

I need help, I want to download the app called 'popcorn time' from online. I know it has no side effects because my friend has used this app for a number of years on her mac computer. I found it on the internet and have nearly downloaded it but my security system won't let me I followed the instructions to get the security system to make an exception for this app but at the end of the instructions it has a log-in pop up that says "OS X is trying to allow an item to always run. Type an administrator's name and password to allow this." I don't know what it means by an administrators name and password I typed my apple ID but this didn't work. I checked if i had the right password and i did and i have tried it multiple times but it still doesn't work this is very frustrating and I need to fix it

Answered in the other thread you posted in:
i am trying to download new software and my mac keeps asking for the administrator name and password... i enter my apple…
Please don't post in more than one place. It can lead to people wasting their time answering a question which has already been answered elsewhere.

Administrator name and password does not work in other accounts

My hard drive died so I had one installed. I reinstalled contents from TimeMachine. When my son is in his account and he is prompted for the Administrator's name and password I type in the required info but the shaking text box indicates that my admin name and password are wrong. I tried to unlock the System Preferences and same thing happens. When I am in my account, I have no problems. How to I make it so I can change, install and fix things when I am in another person's account?

Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Click the Clear Display icon in the toolbar. Then try the action that you're having trouble with again. Select any messages that appear in the Console window. Copy them to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message (command-V).
When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

Why are my administrator name and password rejected now?

I tried to install some app upgrades (on my G4 PB) and was 'asked' to provide an administrator's name and password. My entries were rejected; I tried the only combinations I always use. No luck. I clicked on the hard disk icon, selected "get Info", and see that the owner is "system" and I can read only. Of course, trying to change the owner to me again requires the administrator's name and password so I am stymied again.
When my third attempt is rejected, I get a dialogue box telling me:
"You need to enter an administer name and password to access this item, but the finder cannot complete the process. The finder is unable to locate the item or the finder isn't allowed to use the item. Perhaps this is because the finder was copied or moved."
Along the way, I got a dialogue box with a password hint which confirms the password entry I have been using.... so it seems the problem is with the finder, not my entries?
I tried to repair permissions but that also wants name and password to allow disk utility to proceed. Catch 22!!!
Any ideas? (And, yes I did restart and go through the whole sorry process again.)

Somehow you have been removed as an administrator on your computer, which shouldn't happen. I would at least back up all your files to a separate hard drive before messing with this too much. I've heard of people forgetting the administrator password and then locking themselves out of their own computer.
Once you have your personal files backed up, then you can start trying to fix the problem, and if you can not, you can always reinstall the system and start from scratch and then move your files back on.
It's a good idea to have a separate administrator account for doing maintenance and software installations, and to use a separate account without administrator access for normal day-to-day usage for security reasons.

Admin name and password says invalid EVERYTIME

hi, i'm trying to download the trial for photoshop, and when i wanted to start the set up, it said +'type an administrator's name and password to allow setup to make changes'+, so i typed in the admin name and password that i type in when i'm logging in (when turning on the macbook) and
it just keeps saying its invalid. ('sorry, you entered an invalid username or password')
the same happened with everything else i tried to download.
PLEASE HELP

You've undoubtedly "lost" you admin account. To make sure open System Preference->Accounts and look at your account in the left corner and it should say "admin" below it. If it doesn't you've lost it. It's a Leopard bug.
Have a look at this Apple KB article for regaining those privileges.

Incorrect administrator's name and password

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for