[dburna]

I bought a Mac Mini from another AC'er a while back.  It works great, and I have had no trouble changing the account and network access to my home system.  All to the good.  However, I have had one (minor) issue that I would like to address: the main user folder (and user name) listed on the system still seems to default to the previous user.  To explain further, when you look at the public folder on the network (using a different machine) or (on the Mac Mini) go to the root directory, this primary folder name still shows the initial user's name that originally configured the system.

I have tried various ways of renaming this folder without success.  Does anyone know how this is done without re-initializing the entire system?  Is this some sort of setting in the Disk Utility and/or System Preferences? 

I just want to change the root directory/user name to my user name.  If I have to re-initialize the system to change this, I can surely live with this indefinitely.  I was hoping someone might have an easier solution, however.

Thanks in advance,  -dB
 

[nathanm]

I hope nothing too dramatic has changed in 10.6 if that is what you've got, but I think this still works:

The name of the computer on a network is set here:
System Preferences…Sharing…Computer Name

Assuming you are using your own User folder with Administrator privileges, you can delete the original user's account here:
System Preferences…Accounts
Click on the name, click the - button and it will ask if you want to delete the directory itself or not.

[dburna]

I hope nothing too dramatic has changed in 10.6 if that is what you've got, but I think this still works:

The name of the computer on a network is set here:
System Preferences…Sharing…Computer Name

Assuming you are using your own User folder with Administrator privileges, you can delete the original user's account here:
System Preferences…Accounts
Click on the name, click the - button and it will ask if you want to delete the directory itself or not.

The computer name shows up just fine on the network (first point).

I changed the original user's account by modifying it and giving it my user name.  I didn't create a second one.  Now the folder (with the picture of the house next to it) will not allow me to edit/change the name.  I think that's because there is still only one user account. 

Perhaps what I need to do is create a second account with admin privileges, copy everything over from the old account, then blow the old account away.  Maybe that would do it.  Who knows?  I'm just a little nervous doing anything that potentially disrupts network access, since I no longer have a keyboard/monitor for this unit.

-dB

[wgscott]

Create a second (new) admin user, always log into that, and when you are happy that it works ok, delete the first admin user, but leave the directories in place.  That should minimize the potential for anything going wrong.

However, I am still unclear what has the old user's name on it.  Is it just that user's home directory?

[gitarretyp]

The easiest way to change your account name and home folder is to temporarily enable root. This walks you through the process, which should only take a few minutes http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428

[nathanm]

You can also rename the existing one with:

Applications…Utilities…Netinfo Manager

Depending on how much stuff you use and how much you are in love with your existing application preferences, it might be nice to start out with a fresh user folder.  My advice is just change the name in Accounts and keep the old user short name.  That's what I did with my used mac.  At the end of the day it doesn't really matter that much IMO, and besides if you spend enough time in the desert you won't be able to remember your name anyway.

[wgscott]

Netinfo manager disappeared with 10.4

[dburna]

The easiest way to change your account name and home folder is to temporarily enable root. This walks you through the process, which should only take a few minutes http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428

Woo-hoo!!  This worked!  Thanks, gitarretyp.

-dB (the B is for 'Back in Business')