Administrator account is gone

[brijazz]

Here's the situation… stick with me

1) I had two user accounts: one standard, one admin. I had "hidden" the admin account from prying eyes using some Terminal commands (see here if you're interested: http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1228912)

2) some months later, I enabled the Open Firmware Password (hence, I can no longer boot into single user mode, boot from CD, etc)

3) at some point, I inadvertently reinstalled OS X (don't ask… or do, I'll explain if necessary)

4) when logging in, I ONLY have my standard account. My hidden admin account seems to be gone. OS X won't even accept the admin login/pwd when attempting to execute admin-only commands from within the standard account

With the combined effect of not having admin access and having enabled the Open Firmward Password, I can't even get to the point where I can do a clean install on the machine (where I would then restore from Time Machine). I'm really stuck… any advice?

 

[Hal Itosis]

Here's the situation… stick with me

1) I had two user accounts: one standard, one admin. I had "hidden" the admin account from prying eyes using some Terminal commands (see here if you're interested: http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1228912)

There is nothing at the other end of that link about Terminal or hiding accounts.

2) some months later, I enabled the Open Firmware Password (hence, I can no longer boot into single user mode, boot from CD, etc)

3) at some point, I inadvertently reinstalled OS X (don't ask… or do, I'll explain if necessary)

Considering the ramifications of item 2... accomplishing item 3 must have involved an exercise very similar to what you're trying to achieve right now in this thread. Why not just repeat that step 3 process again? (instead of explaining it)

4) when logging in, I ONLY have my standard account. My hidden admin account seems to be gone. OS X won't even accept the admin login/pwd when attempting to execute admin-only commands from within the standard account

With the combined effect of not having admin access and having enabled the Open Firmward Password, I can't even get to the point where I can do a clean install on the machine (where I would then restore from Time Machine). I'm really stuck… any advice?

Okay, but the important info missing in all this is: why don't you simply disable the firmware password and proceed normally. [?]