password question

[Bob M.]

Hi all,

I have an iMac 10,1 late 2009 and I'm using OS 10.12.6, Sierra.

I am the only user of this computer (I live alone). Not only am I the only user, I am the administrator of this computer as well.

Now, is it possible to have two passwords, one for the administrator and then another shorter, easier to use for being a user?

I get tired of putting my (very long) administrator password everyday (and sometimes typing it in wrong). It would be more convenient if I could also have a user password, something simple.

The other problem I have is that after just a few minutes, my computer turns off and I have to start over with the administrator password. It would suit my needs better if I could lengthen the amount of time before the machine turns itself off and asks for a password again. But of course, I don't know how to do either of these things.

Thanks for your help and advice,

Bob M.

 

[IWT]

Hi Bob, and welcome.

I have a couple of suggestions.

First off, why not change this long password for something much shorter, but unique? Given your personal circumstances, the chances of theft etc, must be small to say the least and Admin passwords don't need to be long, but unique/special to you.

Secondly, as regards your iMac turning off, try this: Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Click on Padlock (bottom left) > enter Admin password (sorry!) > then Click on Advanced (bottom right).

Make sure that "Log out after x minutes of inactivity" is NOT checked.

Please post back.

Ian

 

[chscag]

If you are the only user of your computer and you live alone, and it's an iMac, my suggestion is to remove the log on password entirely. The only time you would then need to use the admin password is when making changes to the system or installing new software. If you are agreeable with doing that, let us know and we will show you how to remove the log on password.

As for the computer turning itself off after a few minutes, that may be the sign of hardware problems. Very difficult to diagnose something like that without sitting in front of your iMac. Your iMac is 10 years old so there could be several things that are causing the turning off.

 

[pm-r]

If you are the only user of your computer and you live alone, and it's an iMac, my suggestion is to remove the log on password entirely.

Agreed!!! As the only admin user of my Macs at home, I haven't used an admin password for years other than to press the enter key.

If the admin user name password is changed, the Keychain Access password should be changed to match it to make things easier unless Apple has changed that system or method recently.

Google for the directions to do so correctly, but I'm not sure the latest Mac OS versions will allow one to login without having some sort of login password. But even having a period "." if allowed is better than having a big long elaborate login admin/user password IMHO.


- Patrick
======

 

[pigoo3]

If you are the only user of your computer and you live alone, and it's an iMac, my suggestion is to remove the log on password entirely.

Exactly what I was thinking as well.

As far as the computer shutting down. Assuming the computer is functioning ok...and similar to what member IWT mentioned above...go to "System Preferences >> Energy Saver"...and adjust the "Computer Sleep" slider to "never" (or maybe the "3 hour" setting).




- Nick

 

[ferrarr]

I use a standard user account and have auto login go into that account.

 

[pine man]

If you are the only user of your computer and you live alone, and it's an iMac, my suggestion is to remove the log on password entirely.

Gets my vote as well. Only me and my wife and if her PC is bust she uses the Mac!

 

[MBAmtloin]

i never log in but have a 5 letter password were the keys are close together when my MacBook Air did not recognize the q-o keys.
as far as having an "older" model, cant these last forever?
there are no moving parts and circuits do not have an exact lifespan.
That 2010 Macbook air shut down abruptly after unplugging the mag-safe plug last night, but everything seems to be okay now.
i guess that triggered something to prevent the MBAir for turning on this morning as scheduled.

 

[pm-r]

I use a standard user account...

That would be too much time and bother for this guy, especially for when installing or removing software etc. that needs admin permissions.

But to each their own method that suits them eh????


- Patrick
======

 

[Bob M.]

Hi All, Thanks for taking the time to address my computer questions.

For my 2nd question re: the computer shutting down, thank you IWT and Pigoo3. I tried these ideas and I think they will address and solve my concern/question.

As for having not only an administrator password but also a user password, I know that I can 'work around' this situation many ways; not requiring a password to log on, shortening the administrator password, etc, etc. But I guess I feel I was unclear in what I was asking : Is it possible to be an administrator (with a password) but also be a user (with a different password)? or is that something the Mac OS system doesn't not allow?? Is anyone out there in the same situation, having/using an administrator password but also having a user password. I guess I could create a new persona with his/her own user password. Would my computer be able to tell if it was really me or not?

Bob M.

 

[chscag]

Yes, it is possible to be an Admin and also a user. You could certainly have both an Administrator password and a user password but that would require creating another user on your iMac and signing on that way. See post #6 above.

But my question to you is..... why would you want to do that? It will only complicate the log on procedure for you. Our advice is to keep it simple.

Right now, your computer turning itself off is what you need to be concerned with as that may be related to a hardware problem; hard drive, graphics, etc.

 

[MacInWin]

Bob, you can have two accounts, but each account has ONE profile (Admin or user). If you are the only user of the computer, your account can be an admin account. You really don't need to have a User account, unless you are worried about having admin authority all the time. I am an admin on my machine and have no other users, but have one other account, also an Admin, that is "clean" with nothing added to it so that if I have an issue with my account, I can reboot, log into that account and clean up whatever mess I've made. Both accounts have the same password, so I only need to remember one.

The idea is to make it easy for yourself. But not so easy that someone can get your machine. In your case, you can lean to the easy side because you are relatively safe already.

 

[ferrarr]

Bob, you can have two accounts, but each account has ONE profile (Admin or user). If you are the only user of the computer, your account can be an admin account. You really don't need to have a User account, unless you are worried about having admin authority all the time. I am an admin on my machine and have no other users, but have one other account, also an Admin, that is "clean" with nothing added to it so that if I have an issue with my account, I can reboot, log into that account and clean up whatever mess I've made. Both accounts have the same password, so I only need to remember one.

The idea is to make it easy for yourself. But not so easy that someone can get your machine. In your case, you can lean to the easy side because you are relatively safe already.

Yeah, I know Jake.

I have 2 Apple ID's, and that's most of the reason I use two separate accounts on my Mac. For a while, I was using both accounts with one single user account, but things started to get mixed together. This way, I use my older original Apple ID (iTunes), which has most of our family purchases associated with it, as my main admin user account. Then I have my newer iCloud ID, which I created when I got my first iPhone (4S), and use this as my everyday standard user account.

 

[chscag]

Yeah, I know Jake.

Too many Bobs.

Jake was replying to "Bob M." not you.

 

[MacInWin]

Yep, that's what I was doing. Bob, Bob, Bob-bing along...