[bballe336]

So I have a machine I installed tiger on, it made the only account on the machine a standard account (what the heck?). So I just deleted the setup file and made another user account, it still wasn't an admin account. So I had to enable the root administrator account. So now I should be able to turn the standard account on the machine into an administrator account by using the root administrator password to unlock the accounts preferences page. So I click the checkbox next to "allow user to administer this computer" and then when I close the window or click the lock to save the preferences the box just gets unchecked.

Is there a way to make the user an administrator through terminal or netinfo manager or something?

Thanks for any help.

[Chuckit]

It sounds like there's something fundamentally wrong there. Since you just installed, try reinstalling.

[bballe336]

I'd really prefer not to reinstall again. I know there has to be a way to set user permissions (such as admin) through the terminal, especially since there is a root account accessible, I just don't know how to do it.

[jmiddel]

Just do an Archive and Install, you won't loose any settings or data. I thought the default installation was admin, did you choose otherwise?

[zro]

Did you try logging in as 'root' from the Login Window? Hold Option and press Return to get to the name and password entry panel.

[bballe336]

Like I said I already have the root account enabled and I can log in to it. When I do I check the box to make the other user an administrator and it immediately unchecks the box.

I do not want to archive and reinstall, because I am pretty sure I'd end up with the same issue. I just did a clean install on this machine, it gives no option as to make an account administrator or not during setup, so it is assumed that the account would be an administrator account. But I did delete the setup file and then I added another account (essentially like setting the machine up again from a clean install without having to reinstall) and that account was also made as a standard, non-administrator account as well.

I am sure there is a way to give a user administrator privileges through the terminal, especially with a root account enabled. Does anyone know how to do that?

[Ganesha]

I can't remember when Apple did away with netinfo. But if Tiger is still using netinfo you'll need to use the commands (nidump/niload) if not the directory service utility (dscl) needs to be used.

I won't trust my memory on what to do, so given the commands you should be able to google something.

[bballe336]

Originally Posted by Ganesha 

I can't remember when Apple did away with netinfo. But if Tiger is still using netinfo you'll need to use the commands (nidump/niload) if not the directory service utility (dscl) needs to be used.

I won't trust my memory on what to do, so given the commands you should be able to google something.

Thanks, I got it.