renamed home directory oops! help!

[bouncinshoes]

I, dumbly, renamed the home directory on my computer and it put all my settings, photos, music etc. into a file with under /user with the NEW name. NOT the old name... so... for clairity the original name was 'Carmen' I changed it to 'Jackie'. However when I log into the original name (carmen) it's just a blank desktop with no preferences or any of my files.

the HOUSE icon stayed as carmen, but it took all my preferences, and file and put them into the 'Jackie' folder under users.

now the mac support site says that i file it created should be under the ORIGINAL name and i jsut change it back after renaming the other one with _new added.... but this isn't the case... the house icon stayed with the same name. I hope this makes sense. I know i can fix this the long way, but im just hoping there is a faster and easier way of doing it.

lemme know! THANKS!

 

[bouncinshoes]

please help me!!! anyone?

 

[RacerX]

please help me!!! anyone?

You are talking about home directory stuff... permissions and the like... I don't see an easy answer for you.

I've fixed this problem for clients before, but I don't think I could tell you in a post (or couple posts) everything you would need to fix. That is really a hands on type of problem.

So it isn't that no one wants to help... it is just that the issue at hand is sort of outside the scope of these boards.

Who knows... maybe someone will attempt to help.

 

[Lt Major Burns]

it's actually quite simple. the folder in which all your old user prefernces and files are in is the folder you need to use. if mac os can't find the folder name that it';s set for, it will simply create a brand new one in that name, with clean settings. which is basically what you have done.

to rectify, simply point mac os toward your folder with all the settings in. rename your home user (in a finder window, right click on your home folder icon in the sidebar, and 'rename') to the exact name of the folder with all the old settings and folders in, making sure neither the name nor the folder breaks the '8 character, all lowercase standard a-z' rule. you may want to rename the folder to comply with this. if the directory structure within this old folder is still correct, when you restart the computer, you should be able to log in to this old desktop.

 

[RacerX]

See, there's an attempt...

and it even overlooks using tools like NetInfo Manager to avoid system conflicts.

 

[Lt Major Burns]

it's actually quite simple. the folder in which all your old user prefernces and files are in is the folder you need to use. if mac os can't find the folder name that it';s set for, it will simply create a brand new one in that name, with clean settings. which is basically what you have done.

to rectify, simply point mac os toward your folder with all the settings in. rename your home user (in a finder window, right click on your home folder icon in the sidebar, and 'rename') to the exact name of the folder with all the old settings and folders in, making sure neither the name nor the folder breaks the '8 character, all lowercase standard a-z' rule. you may want to rename the folder to comply with this. if the directory structure within this old folder is still correct, when you restart the computer, you should be able to log in to this old desktop.

key factor. if it was just a renamed folder, then renaming back to what it was would work. if the folder contents were modified in a bad way, the yes, it's likely it'll need more work to rescue. if they aren't, then that could be a very hastily wasted $100 on hands-on tech support.

throwing your hands up in the air and saying "nope! no way to do it" doesn't help anyone....

 

[RacerX]

throwing your hands up in the air and saying "nope! no way to do it" doesn't help anyone....

And there is a point where you should realize that attempts at helping can often make situations worse.

You've been helping in this forum for a year... I've been providing service and support for Macs for 9 years now (and help in this forum for 5 years)... I can tell you from first hand experience that some of the worse things have come from advice given with the best of intentions.

Someone who would rename their home directory is most likely not skilled enough to either describe the situation fully or follow the instructions needed to repair the problem. Add to that the fact that posts are the worst form of communication for this type of task and you are basically asking for trouble.


Now, you can either take the advice of someone with more experience in this type of thing or you can screw up someone's system to the point were important data is lost and learn from that experience... your choice.

Maybe this will be that experience for you, maybe not... are you going to play russian roulette with other people's systems to get that experience?

Sometimes not helping is the best help you can give someone.