iMAC question.

UffDa

UffDa

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Sep 11, 1999
Messages
42,596
I purchase a 1 year old iMac. It was lightly used by a little old lady in a church. It looks like all the files were deleted, but the users name pops up when I click on Finder. I would like to remove it. Can this be done without reloading the software?

I just got the computer Tuesday and it's all new to me.
 
As far as I know and I'm fairly knowledgeable about Mac/OS X, you can only change this by reinstalling OS X. Reinstalling OS X sounds scary, but it's not. You would have to do a clean install of the OS; then you can choose a new admin username.

A cheat way [though not as clean] would be to create another user account: users preferences/accounts. Then allow admin privileges on the new account. You could then log in using this new admin account. The old account would still exist, but at least you see your name and not someone else's.

There may even be a backdoor coding method, but that's beyond my scope. If I was buying a used computer, I'd just do a clean install of the operating system anyway - better that way for everyone.
 
Thanks. I think you are right. I looked around and found remnants of other stuff. It appears that the user tried to delete their files, but didn't know how.

I think I'm going to have to get a copy of MAC for Dummies. ;)
 
You can buy a copy of the latest OS for around $20. It's a lot cheaper than that other company.

Chad
 
If you know the admin password from the prior owner, just open up the "System Preferences" pane in your dock Open "Accounts" and make a new account and make yourself an admin. Log off the old account and log in under your new admin account. Then go to the accounts pane and delete the old user. If you have anymore questions re: your Mac, I'll give you a hand.:D
 
fivefold said:
If you know the admin password from the prior owner, just open up the "System Preferences" pane in your dock Open "Accounts" and make a new account and make yourself an admin. Log off the old account and log in under your new admin account. Then go to the accounts pane and delete the old user. If you have anymore questions re: your Mac, I'll give you a hand.:D
Click to expand...
But you can't change the owner's name that way. There's a way to do it with the terminal window but it's not for beginners.
 
I did a clean OS install. Problem solved. Now I just have to learn how to use the damn thing. After about 20 years of using PCs, I miss things like the right click button and auto spell correction. I'm sure those features are there, but I haven't found them yet.

I have a copy of iMAC for Dummies on the way, but I would like to get some sort of shorter tutorial if there is one.
 
I miss things like the right click button and auto spell correction. I'm sure those features are there, but I haven't found them yet.

Control & click at the same time on the underlined word.
Not a big deal once you remember.
I run between windooz and mac daily.
If I had my way it would be 100% mac.
Windows machines are high maintenance POS
 
fivefold said:
The owners name can be changed under "sharing" in the preference pane.
Click to expand...
I must be thinking of changing the short name which I'm pretty sure requires enabling root login in terminal. I'm at work and on a Winblows machine so I can't mess with it myself at the moment. Looks like UffDa went with the best method anyway.
:thumbup:
 
Blais said:
I must be thinking of changing the short name which I'm pretty sure requires enabling root login in terminal. I'm at work and on a Winblows machine so I can't mess with it myself at the moment. Looks like UffDa went with the best method anyway.
:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I agree. Clean install generally gets rid of any little nasties that might work their way in. Anytime you have profiles, you run the risk of corrupt ones too. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't go back to OS 9 or God forbid, Windows for anything. Have a good one.:D
 
UffDa said:
I did a clean OS install. Problem solved. Now I just have to learn how to use the damn thing. After about 20 years of using PCs, I miss things like the right click button and auto spell correction. I'm sure those features are there, but I haven't found them yet.

I have a copy of iMAC for Dummies on the way, but I would like to get some sort of shorter tutorial if there is one.
Click to expand...

Mac's have the "right click" ... I wouldn't normally say this, but Microsoft does actually make decent mice. Apple mice have always sucked - period. I'd toss the Apple mouse and use a MS mouse. Then set-up the buttons in OS X sys prefs. OSX does underline spelling errors whenever you make them whether it's here on BF or in an email to someone.

If you can do it on a PC, you can do it on a Mac. I was always a PC user and I switched to Macs in 2003 - it's total nirvana. You'll get the hang of it. There are a lot of great features built in OS X, you just need to learn about them.
 
I kind of figured out the CONTROL + CLICK business. It's just a matter of getting used to it. What I really like it that the MAC is up and running in less then 45 seconds. My Dell PC takes about 5 minutes to go through all it's gyrations. I also have a Lenovo laptop with very little on it and it takes about 3 minutes before it's usable.
 
As far as computer mice... anything with the name Logitech gets my nod. I know that there are other companies that make good stuff, but Logitech is the only one for me.:D
 
Find out if your iMac has Bluetooth. If it does, you can pick up a nice wireless mouse for pretty cheap, complete with right and center buttons. In case you are wondering, the Mac will recognize right-click input from a 2 or 3 button mouse without any special settings.

+1 on the logitech, I've always liked their input devices.
 
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