Setting up a system and the registration screen

tlarkin · 09-26-2003, 11:54 AM

Hello,

This is something that I have thought about for a long time, even back in OS 8.6 days. A lot of times I have to test out computers before I give them back or set them up for the user. I repair both Macs and PC's. On the PC side there is this thing called audit mode, which allows you to boot up the computer install software/hardware, configure system settings, and then reseal the computer for the end user. Then when the end user powers it on for the first time they have to go through the registration screen, and register their computer.

Now how could I do that on the Mac side? I guess I could perhaps create a test user account and then boot into SUM when I was done doing stuff and delete the user account, but that won't put back the registration screen. I want to be able to hop in the OS install a few things maybe setup a few things and then hop out to where it is set back to the factory start up registration screen. Anyone know if thats possible?

yellow · 09-26-2003, 12:08 PM

Actually, in one of my many forays through the directory tree, I came across a file that indicated to me that if it existed, then the registration had already been done. I have no idea if removing it would allow the machine to be reregistered. You'll forgive me if it take me a while to find it again.

mervTormel · 09-26-2003, 12:26 PM

i think that would be:

% sudo rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

and the initial registration would run again.

i don't know how it would reconcile the new short admin username with the one used to setup the rig. perhaps a google for that filename would illuminate...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...=Google+Search

tlarkin · 09-26-2003, 01:06 PM

I have got an ibook here I just fully restored I am going to try this and see if it works. Thanks for your replies.

tlarkin · 09-26-2003, 01:17 PM

It worked thanks you guys are genius. I guess if you are running into problems with your users you can just rebuild the netinfo database. I found this hint off that google search that explains it better. However, its seems like a drastic move and possibly one that could be a huge headache. Another way I guess would be to manually change user names/settings if there was a conflict. However, for my use of this hint I don't think it would matter. I simply make an admin user called "user" and install what software/hardware needed on the system, boot into single user mode and then delete that setup file.

Thanks again guys for your help I really appreicate it. I learned something new today.

saint.duo · 09-26-2003, 02:36 PM

If we have a machine to restore, update, install software, or whatever, but wish to have the customer go through the setup assistant when they pick up the machine, we log in as root, do the work, reactivate the setup assistant, then disable root and set the password to null/unusable again.

If anyone wants the full steps that we use, I'd be happy to post them.

tlarkin · 09-26-2003, 03:09 PM

sure post them, I found that method I used in SUM was pretty simple and it worked.

yellow · 09-26-2003, 04:50 PM

Quote:


	Originally posted by mervTormel % sudo rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

That's the one.

bluehz · 09-22-2005, 01:13 PM

I know this is a bit of an older thread - but its just what I was looking for..

I am setting up a machine for a friend of mine who is finally going to make the leap to Mac OS X. He bought the install DVD for Tiger and sent that to me with an external Firewire to set it up for him. After I tweak and update everything I will pack it allup and send it back to him. Now since he is a newbie - I want to make it so that when he first fires up the machine - he gets the whole "Welcome to Mac.." movie and then the registration screen, etc. Plus I want to make it as painless as possible for him to setup for his specific DSL network.

So my question is - obviously I had to create some account to get on the machine and then tweak, update, etc. And I will do the trick above - sudo rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone to get him back to the initial boot sequence, BUT my question is... how does this affect what I have already done? In other words.. does he need to enter the EXACT SAME user info I put in when I was using the machine or is he basically starting from scratch - defining his own username and user password, etc?

DeltaMac · 09-22-2005, 01:30 PM

Here's the setup that I have been using for about 2 years, still completely works. I setup a new machine, install updates, software, whatever - just don't install or copy anything to your setup user that you want the new user to have. I just make a user called test, with no password to make it easier to do updates. When all updates/software installs are complete, then reboot to single user mode and
start up with Apple-S, then type each line, with enter after each line:

/sbin/mount -uw /
cd /private/var/db/netinfo
mv local.nidb local.old
cd ..
rm .AppleSetupDone
cd /Users
rm -rf <user short name>
reboot

This process removes that temp install user, and the system reboots to the new user setup. Apple-Q will bring a shutdown window. Then next boot, for the new user, where the brand-new user setup screens follow...
All updates, and etc are not affected. the temp install user is gone...

bluehz · 09-22-2005, 02:03 PM

Holy cow DeltaMac - that is EXACTLY the info I was looking for. Thank You very much! Now assuming I have done some application installs, etc. And I delete the user I was using.. will there be any problems with permissions once they setup there new user again?

DeltaMac · 09-22-2005, 06:27 PM

No, not because of this process

jorel · 02-13-2007, 03:05 PM

can you remove the local.old file? will this mess anything up?

DeltaMac · 02-13-2007, 06:16 PM

Why would you want to remove it? It's not an active file anymore. It could be deleted (I suppose), if you can figure out how to do it. You don't have permission to access those folders, and the netinfo file usually takes up very little space, if any.
If you must, I guess a sudo rm command from the terminal will get that, if you are careful.

09-26-2003, 11:54 AM	#1
tlarkin League Commissioner Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City Posts: 9,905	Setting up a system and the registration screen Hello, This is something that I have thought about for a long time, even back in OS 8.6 days. A lot of times I have to test out computers before I give them back or set them up for the user. I repair both Macs and PC's. On the PC side there is this thing called audit mode, which allows you to boot up the computer install software/hardware, configure system settings, and then reseal the computer for the end user. Then when the end user powers it on for the first time they have to go through the registration screen, and register their computer. Now how could I do that on the Mac side? I guess I could perhaps create a test user account and then boot into SUM when I was done doing stuff and delete the user account, but that won't put back the registration screen. I want to be able to hop in the OS install a few things maybe setup a few things and then hop out to where it is set back to the factory start up registration screen. Anyone know if thats possible? __________________ http://www.tlarkin.com (it is under construction)

09-26-2003, 12:26 PM	#3
mervTormel League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 5,536	i think that would be: % sudo rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone and the initial registration would run again. i don't know how it would reconcile the new short admin username with the one used to setup the rig. perhaps a google for that filename would illuminate... http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...=Google+Search Last edited by mervTormel; 09-26-2003 at 12:28 PM.

09-26-2003, 01:06 PM	#4
tlarkin League Commissioner Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City Posts: 9,905	I have got an ibook here I just fully restored I am going to try this and see if it works. Thanks for your replies. __________________ http://www.tlarkin.com (it is under construction)

09-26-2003, 01:17 PM	#5
tlarkin League Commissioner Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City Posts: 9,905	It worked thanks you guys are genius. I guess if you are running into problems with your users you can just rebuild the netinfo database. I found this hint off that google search that explains it better. However, its seems like a drastic move and possibly one that could be a huge headache. Another way I guess would be to manually change user names/settings if there was a conflict. However, for my use of this hint I don't think it would matter. I simply make an admin user called "user" and install what software/hardware needed on the system, boot into single user mode and then delete that setup file. Thanks again guys for your help I really appreicate it. I learned something new today. __________________ http://www.tlarkin.com (it is under construction)

09-26-2003, 02:36 PM	#6
saint.duo MVP Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,033	Initial Setup as Root If we have a machine to restore, update, install software, or whatever, but wish to have the customer go through the setup assistant when they pick up the machine, we log in as root, do the work, reactivate the setup assistant, then disable root and set the password to null/unusable again. If anyone wants the full steps that we use, I'd be happy to post them.

09-26-2003, 12:08 PM	#2
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,660	Actually, in one of my many forays through the directory tree, I came across a file that indicated to me that if it existed, then the registration had already been done. I have no idea if removing it would allow the machine to be reregistered. You'll forgive me if it take me a while to find it again.

09-26-2003, 03:09 PM	#7
tlarkin League Commissioner Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City Posts: 9,905	sure post them, I found that method I used in SUM was pretty simple and it worked. __________________ http://www.tlarkin.com (it is under construction)

09-22-2005, 01:13 PM	#9
bluehz MVP Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,532	I know this is a bit of an older thread - but its just what I was looking for.. I am setting up a machine for a friend of mine who is finally going to make the leap to Mac OS X. He bought the install DVD for Tiger and sent that to me with an external Firewire to set it up for him. After I tweak and update everything I will pack it allup and send it back to him. Now since he is a newbie - I want to make it so that when he first fires up the machine - he gets the whole "Welcome to Mac.." movie and then the registration screen, etc. Plus I want to make it as painless as possible for him to setup for his specific DSL network. So my question is - obviously I had to create some account to get on the machine and then tweak, update, etc. And I will do the trick above - sudo rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone to get him back to the initial boot sequence, BUT my question is... how does this affect what I have already done? In other words.. does he need to enter the EXACT SAME user info I put in when I was using the machine or is he basically starting from scratch - defining his own username and user password, etc?

09-22-2005, 01:30 PM	#10
DeltaMac Hall of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 4,971	Here's the setup that I have been using for about 2 years, still completely works. I setup a new machine, install updates, software, whatever - just don't install or copy anything to your setup user that you want the new user to have. I just make a user called test, with no password to make it easier to do updates. When all updates/software installs are complete, then reboot to single user mode and start up with Apple-S, then type each line, with enter after each line: /sbin/mount -uw / cd /private/var/db/netinfo mv local.nidb local.old cd .. rm .AppleSetupDone cd /Users rm -rf <user short name> reboot This process removes that temp install user, and the system reboots to the new user setup. Apple-Q will bring a shutdown window. Then next boot, for the new user, where the brand-new user setup screens follow... All updates, and etc are not affected. the temp install user is gone...

09-22-2005, 02:03 PM	#11
bluehz MVP Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,532	Holy cow DeltaMac - that is EXACTLY the info I was looking for. Thank You very much! Now assuming I have done some application installs, etc. And I delete the user I was using.. will there be any problems with permissions once they setup there new user again?

09-22-2005, 06:27 PM	#12
DeltaMac Hall of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 4,971	No, not because of this process

02-13-2007, 03:05 PM	#13
jorel Prospect Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8	can you remove the local.old file? will this mess anything up?

02-13-2007, 06:16 PM	#14
DeltaMac Hall of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 4,971	Why would you want to remove it? It's not an active file anymore. It could be deleted (I suppose), if you can figure out how to do it. You don't have permission to access those folders, and the netinfo file usually takes up very little space, if any. If you must, I guess a sudo rm command from the terminal will get that, if you are careful.

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