Problem deleting user account on mid 2012 15” macbook pro

[CaptainMorgan]

I used to share this mbp with my cousin who has recently passed away. He told me before he died that he wanted me to have it as he was in no position to carry on using it. He originally set it all up and was shown as the registered owner and I was added as a second admin account. After he passed i went into user accounts and tried to delete his account which for some reason didnt work. I can still switch users and log in using his apple id but although everything seems fine for general browsing etc I can’t get access to his info through apple store as it shows the account is inactive. Also while logged into his account if I go into users and accounts the only one that shows up is mine. Probably due to my failed effort to delete his. I am trying to delete his account and register my user name as the registered owner. The only way i can see is to wipe the macbook and reinstall everything as you would if you were setting up as for a new user as if you were selling it. The problem with this as I have discovered in the past that if you wipe a mac and set up as a new user when you enter your apple id it says that email and password is already taken. I dont want to create a new id as I have stationery and business cards all set up for an off road club which i run. Anybody got any suggestions?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

I used to share this mbp with my cousin who has recently passed away. He told me before he died that he wanted me to have it as he was in no position to carry on using it. He originally set it all up and was shown as the registered owner and I was added as a second admin account. After he passed i went into user accounts and tried to delete his account which for some reason didnt work. I can still switch users and log in using his apple id but although everything seems fine for general browsing etc I can’t get access to his info through apple store as it shows the account is inactive. Also while logged into his account if I go into users and accounts the only one that shows up is mine. Probably due to my failed effort to delete his. I am trying to delete his account and register my user name as the registered owner. The only way i can see is to wipe the macbook and reinstall everything as you would if you were setting up as for a new user as if you were selling it. The problem with this as I have discovered in the past that if you wipe a mac and set up as a new user when you enter your apple id it says that email and password is already taken. I dont want to create a new id as I have stationery and business cards all set up for an off road club which i run. Anybody got any suggestions?

If you have your data all backed up elsewhere, then the easy thing to do is to boot into the recovery console, erase the drive and do a re-install.

During the initial setup, skip the Apple ID configuration and set up a local user only. Once you've gotten in, then go to System Settings and sign into iCloud using your Apple ID and that'll work fine and bring things back from iCloud.

 

[ferrarr]

+1 for Ashwin's (@Raz0rEdge ) advice.

 

[CaptainMorgan]

If you have your data all backed up elsewhere, then the easy thing to do is to boot into the recovery console, erase the drive and do a re-install.

During the initial setup, skip the Apple ID configuration and set up a local user only. Once you've gotten in, then go to System Settings and sign into iCloud using your Apple ID and that'll work fine and bring things back from iCloud.

As usual great advice …. thanks! I had already managed to delete the unwanted account by going into recovery mode, changed the password and erase the account afterwards. The only problem I had was the ownership issue still but thanks to your reply I now have that sorted as well. I get great advice from you guys but dont offer advice much as I am not sure of my limited knowledge unless its something I have encountered and resolved myself.

 

[Rod]

CaptainMorgan, I'm sure there are lots of users who have problems you have encountered before this one being "case in point". Changing ownership of a gifted or inherited device, buying a second hand device that's still tied to another user account; these are pretty common scenarios we encounter regularly. Sometimes we can help, sometimes not.
So it's worth checking in from time to time, if you have the time, for those posts that fit your experience. I find it really rewarding to solve a problem that's easy for me 'cause I've already solved it for myself. Everything is easy once you know how.