OSX High Sierra

[DeepIn2U]

Hi,

I'm hoping I can get some help here if anyone has time please.

Recently, I received my 2018 tbMBP and begun setting up, creating a Standard account, and migrated my raw data over and I'm loving this machine thus far. Yet I think I screwed up something critical during the process.

Process:
MBP arrived
Booted and created a unique password for "Administrator (full name: administrator)" account that is default.
created a Standard account - which is what I'm logged in as doing my tasks.
Logged into the Standard account, launched Users & Groups, changed the name of the Administrator account to "Flynn (full name: flynn".
Directions:
(url: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201548)

macOS Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite

1. Choose Apple menu () > System Preferences, then click Users & Groups.
2. Click
   
   , then enter an administrator name and password.
3. From the list of users, Control-click or right-click the user that you want to rename. Choose Advanced Options from the shortcut menu.
4. Change the name in the “Full name” field, then click OK.

I followed the above instructions to complete the task I wanted. I had thought about changing the full name and the path from Macintosh\users\administrators yet I did not ... I think this is where I went wrong.

I'm NOT able to logon the "administrator" or "flynn" account, nor can I install applications! File system still shows 'administrator'.

Does someone have a solution that can solve this without me having to wipe my 2018 MBP please?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Hi,
:::snip:::
I followed the above instructions to complete the task I wanted. I had thought about changing the full name and the path from Macintosh\users\administrators yet I did not ... I think this is where I went wrong.

I'm NOT able to logon the "administrator" or "flynn" account, nor can I install applications! File system still shows 'administrator'.

Does someone have a solution that can solve this without me having to wipe my 2018 MBP please?

First, yes, you're right about going wrong when you didn't change the full name and path per the instructions in that article.

When you say, "File system still shows 'administrator'" where are you seeing that? When you're prompted to enter the admin password, or when you look at the directory names in Finder?

When you're on the login screen (or in System Preferences > Users & Groups) is the administrative account listed as "administrator," "flynn," or "Flynn?"

There are ways to fix the ability to log in. Maybe it's actually an issue with the password instead of the name - there are several ways to reset the administrator password. If it's a problem with mangled user accounts, you can create a new Administrator account by booting the system into Single User Mode and entering a series of Terminal-like commands that will re-open the Setup Assistant program and allow you to create a new User account. After you create that new Administrator account you can do what you please with the existing accounts.

Finally, if you are the only user of that Mac, it's not essential to have separate Administrator and Standard user accounts. It's not a bad practice, but most people these days just live in their Admin accounts. In a shared-usage environment, that's a different story - certainly a good practice to keep an Administrator account that contains no-body's user data.

 

[DeepIn2U]

First, yes, you're right about going wrong when you didn't change the full name and path per the instructions in that article.

When you say, "File system still shows 'administrator'" where are you seeing that? When you're prompted to enter the admin password, or when you look at the directory names in Finder?

When you're on the login screen (or in System Preferences > Users & Groups) is the administrative account listed as "administrator," "flynn," or "Flynn?"

There are ways to fix the ability to log in. Maybe it's actually an issue with the password instead of the name - there are several ways to reset the administrator password. If it's a problem with mangled user accounts, you can create a new Administrator account by booting the system into Single User Mode and entering a series of Terminal-like commands that will re-open the Setup Assistant program and allow you to create a new User account. After you create that new Administrator account you can do what you please with the existing accounts.

Finally, if you are the only user of that Mac, it's not essential to have separate Administrator and Standard user accounts. It's not a bad practice, but most people these days just live in their Admin accounts. In a shared-usage environment, that's a different story - certainly a good practice to keep an Administrator account that contains no-body's user data.

Apfelkuchen,

Thank you for the rapid reply and pointers, sorry was out all day with my sweet lady to enjoy the summer.

Ok back to the issue which I now think is more dire.

1. default 'Administrator' account:
the Short Account Name 'Administrator' shows up in System Preferences > Users & Groups.
the Full Account Name 'administrator' shows up both in System Preferences > Users & Groups (if I 'could' expand it), as well as in the OSX File System Macintosh HD > Users > administrator (lowercase; as OSX does this by default).
> 'flynn' or 'Flynn' is not listed.

2. password: password is confirmed correctly typed in (hunt & pecked entry after reboot and being away most of the day). I choose to logon to Administrator and successful. I can lock and unlock with that accounts password or using Touch ID.

Issue update:
while confirming the above just minutes ago above - screenshots, I've realized my issue is WORSE!

The 'administrator' account, being the original account setup during initial boot and prep by myself is NO LONGER an "admin" account on my MBP. In fact, somehow, someway, it's now a STANDARD account. I didn't realize this earlier last night or today because I was trying to install Logitech Mgr for my mouse. I don't have any other admin account on my MBP.

Am I now FUBAR?

How exactly do I fix this?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

No, not FUBAR. As I indicated, there are ways to create a new Admin account without erasing/reinstalling. This article covers the process: https://www.lifewire.com/create-new-admin-account-for-login-issues-2259976

If you feel unsure about using this, call AppleCare or go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. You have a brand-new Mac, you're under warranty, they'll be happy to help.

 

[DeepIn2U]

No, not FUBAR. As I indicated, there are ways to create a new Admin account without erasing/reinstalling. This article covers the process: https://www.lifewire.com/create-new-admin-account-for-login-issues-2259976

If you feel unsure about using this, call AppleCare or go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. You have a brand-new Mac, you're under warranty, they'll be happy to help.

Man thank you VERY much!!

I followed steps here last night and created the “Flynn” account I needed. Yet even logged in with Flynn, I’m unable to delete the ‘administrator’ (Standard account). Something to the affect that the keychain password doesn’t change and yeah that’s another word of “huh?” Lol.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8086784

I’ll have a quick look now then to Apple store since I’m already going to switch from the X back to the 8!