I just switched and the guy who I bought the macbook from entered his name on the bootup and now I cannot change my computer name. I want to change all the personal profile data to mine but some of his personal data still remains. Is there any possible way to change his personal data. I already changed the user log in data but some of the important stuff remains.
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How to change computer name and identity on macbook?
- Thread starter dubels
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is there no way of changing the computer name/administrators name without a total reinstall?? crap. 
Re-install Mac OSX.
Use the DVD(s) included in the box.
That way, everything is in your name, and you won't have any pref files or user data from him using the MacBook.
Enjoy what sounds like your first Mac.
Use the DVD(s) included in the box.
That way, everything is in your name, and you won't have any pref files or user data from him using the MacBook.
Enjoy what sounds like your first Mac.
yes enjoy your first mac
for me it definelty isnt my first mac. but it something ive always wondered how to do - without having to re-install the OS.
what if you have to change the name for security reasons or something? or maybe you just dont like the name anymore?
for me it definelty isnt my first mac. but it something ive always wondered how to do - without having to re-install the OS.
what if you have to change the name for security reasons or something? or maybe you just dont like the name anymore?
the thing is the guy i got it from lost the OSX disk? Are all OSX disk the same because I know someone that has one but he is scared that the OSX disk is registered and Apple might find out and such. Plus if i use the OSX disk will i lose the applications that I already have installed? The guy I got it from has bootcamp setup already with Windows Xp Sp2, photoshop and a lot of other programs that I dont have the disk for, so reinstalling them would be a problem. I was going to take the macbook to apple to see what they could do but if I could just insert my friends OSX disk he got with his macbook and do it at home it would be great.
You don't have the licenses to run that software on your machine, so you'll need to delete it and track down some OS X discs for you to use.
By policy, you may not get help at MacRumors in installation or use of applications, such as Photoshop, for which you don't have a license. If the seller kept those master discs, he/she may also have kept the OS X disc that came with it (while claiming it was lost). You have no license to use applications that did not come with your MacBook. That's all the more reason that you should have an OS X disc and reinstall from scratch. In the meantime, you should remove the unlicensed commercial applications.
We will leave this thread open a bit longer in case anybody has advice for you about changing the personal data that is already on the system. However, posts that aid in the use of unlicensed commercial software will be deleted per forum rules.
We will leave this thread open a bit longer in case anybody has advice for you about changing the personal data that is already on the system. However, posts that aid in the use of unlicensed commercial software will be deleted per forum rules.
I am not trying to transfer the licensing to me. I just want the OSX transfered to me. I was able to change the user name but computer is still named ("His name" Computer) and I wont let me get rid of his server and other things because it says my admin user profile does not have enough administrative power to get rid of it. Small stuff like that. Even OSX has his initals on it and stuff.
and on the OSX disk issue. Can I just use anyones OSX disk that came with their macbook or is each disk registered with each macbook. My friend has one he said I can use if it is not registered and does not result in complications with apple.
and on the OSX disk issue. Can I just use anyones OSX disk that came with their macbook or is each disk registered with each macbook. My friend has one he said I can use if it is not registered and does not result in complications with apple.
dubels said:
And the point is that you do not have a valid license to use OS X on that machine unless you can get the install disc from him.
the answer is: you cannot change the name
the solution is: you NEED to BUY OS X, that is why you prob got a great deal, no docs, receipts, cd's, dvd's, for any of your software.
having said all that, i hope it's not a hot laptop.
this similar situation popped up in macrumors a couple years ago and the conclusion was the guy acquired the machine through nefarious means.
i'm not saying you did this, you ob. have the administrator's password.
the solution is: you NEED to BUY OS X, that is why you prob got a great deal, no docs, receipts, cd's, dvd's, for any of your software.
having said all that, i hope it's not a hot laptop.
this similar situation popped up in macrumors a couple years ago and the conclusion was the guy acquired the machine through nefarious means.
i'm not saying you did this, you ob. have the administrator's password.
The computer name is easy: System Preferences -> Sharing -> Computer Name.
Changing the name of the user is easy, too: System Preferences -> Accounts -> <choose your account> -> Name **
** Just note that the short user name of the first user made on the machine is virtually impossible to change - there is a long list on how to do is floating around, and it involves using the Terminal and NetInfo Manager, as far as I remember, but it's absolutely not recommended.
Changing the name of the user is easy, too: System Preferences -> Accounts -> <choose your account> -> Name **
** Just note that the short user name of the first user made on the machine is virtually impossible to change - there is a long list on how to do is floating around, and it involves using the Terminal and NetInfo Manager, as far as I remember, but it's absolutely not recommended.
swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
I don't understand how this is illegal for him.
Mac OS X is part of the Mac. It ships with the Mac. It would be different if say the Mac shipped with Panther and the guy installed Tiger but kept the Tiger disc for himself (or lost it).
Apple might sell the system restore DVDs for a discounted price or you could pressure your seller to find/buy them for you.
Mac OS X is part of the Mac. It ships with the Mac. It would be different if say the Mac shipped with Panther and the guy installed Tiger but kept the Tiger disc for himself (or lost it).
Apple might sell the system restore DVDs for a discounted price or you could pressure your seller to find/buy them for you.
Do this in a terminal:
sudo scutil --set HostName servername.example.com
but make servername.example.com to be what you want your new hostname to be.
btw, this is no more illegal than logging onto the pc.
EDIT:
sorry for the thread necro, but this page came up on google when i was looking for the answer. So i figured it might as well have the answer in it, to help others.
sudo scutil --set HostName servername.example.com
but make servername.example.com to be what you want your new hostname to be.
btw, this is no more illegal than logging onto the pc.
EDIT:
sorry for the thread necro, but this page came up on google when i was looking for the answer. So i figured it might as well have the answer in it, to help others.
Not THAT complicated!
It's really not as complex as re-installing everything from disk:
Open up "System Preferences." Then click "Sharing".
Select "Internet & Wireless".
Click the folder with "Sharing" under it.
Delete what's there and change the name.
There, not so bad!
It's really not as complex as re-installing everything from disk:
Open up "System Preferences." Then click "Sharing".
Select "Internet & Wireless".
Click the folder with "Sharing" under it.
Delete what's there and change the name.
There, not so bad!
Well I have LION so there is no disk bought the computer with all the software on it. Was able to change the name under system preferences but the file structure still shows his name. I installed Paralells and when I install Windows 7 it defaults to his name!