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#1 2011-04-13 19:26:51
Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
NOTICE: You will need an Admin's password. You will be using Terminal. Hit "Enter" after every Terminal command.
STEP 1: Access Terminal
STEP 2: Type in: sudo passwd root (Be careful when using the sudo command)
Step 3: Where it says "Password", type in the Admin password
Step 4: Type in the new password
Step 5: Repeat in the repeat new password box
Step 6: Close terminal, and log out.
Step 7a: Hit "Other" in the log in screen Type in "root" and then the root password
Step 7b: In the name spot type in "root" and then the root password
DONE! You enabled the "root" user. The root user is an admin.
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#3 2011-04-13 19:39:22
- veggieman001
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2010-02-20
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
kayybee wrote:
What's the point of this again?
it allows you to get more mac viruses! 
no, seriously, don't do this unless you have a specific purpose
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#4 2011-04-13 19:45:20
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
It's no different from the other Admin account you needed to get the password from. Anyway, you just change the password. It is enabled-but hidden-when you install the Operating System.
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#5 2011-04-13 19:53:31
- veggieman001
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2010-02-20
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
higejolly wrote:
It's no different from the other Admin account you needed to get the password from. Anyway, you just change the password. It is enabled-but hidden-when you install the Operating System.
no, the root is more in control than the admin so it can easily make harmful changes to the computer, so if you're using it and get a virus, you're screwed.
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#6 2011-04-13 20:30:43
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
veggieman001 wrote:
higejolly wrote:
It's no different from the other Admin account you needed to get the password from. Anyway, you just change the password. It is enabled-but hidden-when you install the Operating System.
no, the root is more in control than the admin so it can easily make harmful changes to the computer, so if you're using it and get a virus, you're screwed.
According to the APPLE WEBSITE it is the same as a regular Admin account. And the "Full" account name is "Administrator".
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#7 2011-04-13 20:33:05
- veggieman001
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2010-02-20
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1528 wrote:
The root user should only be used for specific administration or monitoring tasks.
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#8 2011-04-13 20:35:41
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
veggieman001 wrote:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1528 wrote:
The root user should only be used for specific administration or monitoring tasks.
Humph. All you do is change the Root password for this guide. Just for fun. Don't actually make me put up the thing I got it from up here.
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#9 2011-04-13 20:44:40
- veggieman001
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2010-02-20
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
higejolly wrote:
veggieman001 wrote:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1528 wrote:
The root user should only be used for specific administration or monitoring tasks.
Humph. All you do is change the Root password for this guide. Just for fun. Don't actually make me put up the thing I got it from up here.
apple's website says that if you don't use it, disable it, and it has special powerses
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#10 2011-04-13 20:47:34
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
veggieman001 wrote:
higejolly wrote:
veggieman001 wrote:
Humph. All you do is change the Root password for this guide. Just for fun. Don't actually make me put up the thing I got it from up here.
apple's website says that if you don't use it, disable it, and it has special powerses
What part of "It is enabled by default" Don't you understand!?!?
EDIT: I changed it to something random. My main account is also Admin, so I still have a password for Admin things.
Last edited by higejolly (2011-04-13 20:48:37)
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#11 2011-04-13 20:48:25
- veggieman001
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2010-02-20
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
higejolly wrote:
veggieman001 wrote:
higejolly wrote:
Humph. All you do is change the Root password for this guide. Just for fun. Don't actually make me put up the thing I got it from up here.apple's website says that if you don't use it, disable it, and it has special powerses
What part of "It is enabled by default" Don't you understand!?!?
you mean disabled?
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#12 2011-04-13 21:19:52
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
veggieman001 wrote:
higejolly wrote:
veggieman001 wrote:
apple's website says that if you don't use it, disable it, and it has special powersesWhat part of "It is enabled by default" Don't you understand!?!?
you mean disabled?
No.
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#13 2011-04-13 21:49:34
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
Mas OSX is based on the Unix kernel. Unix, like Linux, always has a root account. However unlike on Linux, Mac OSX has you create an Admin account by default, rendering the root account useless. Just using my Linux knowledge to try and clarify anything needing clarification.
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#14 2011-04-13 21:53:52
- veggieman001
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2010-02-20
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
urhungry wrote:
Mas OSX is based on the Unix kernel. Unix, like Linux, always has a root account. However unlike on Linux, Mac OSX has you create an Admin account by default, rendering the root account useless. Just using my Linux knowledge to try and clarify anything needing clarification.
the admin account on mac os x is more limited than the root user, though
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#16 2011-04-13 21:56:09
- veggieman001
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2010-02-20
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
urhungry wrote:
I guess so, but it's still kind of useless.
unless you need to do super advanced system processes
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#18 2011-04-13 22:19:17
Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
Windows also has an hidden admin account. It is hidden but enabled by default on a basic install on early XP. It was used to hack into people's computers.
My site Find someone post count. Click posts under username. Find number of pages. Times that by 40 for min and 60 for max and you have a rough estimate of post count.
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#19 2011-04-13 23:36:51
- cheddargirl
- Scratch Team
- Registered: 2008-09-15
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Re: Enabling the "root" user in Mac OS X 10.6
Closed by request of owner.
Everything is better when you add a little cheddar, because when you have cheese your life is at ease
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