Computer name (not hostname) keeps changing

[formz]

I have a user (10.5 client) on a computer that does NOT have a network account but is receiving DHCP information from a 10.5 server. Her hostname is set in all the usual places to the correct value and when I open up Terminal I am greeted by the correct name… however, in the Sharing Preference pain and at the login screen is shows the incorrect value, and changing it doesn’t survive a reboot. I’m pulling what is left of my hair out here. HELP! 🙂

[formz]

Nothing? 🙁

[Greg Neagle]

There are actually three names you need to set:

hostname – the DNS hostname.

LocalHostName – the Bonjour name

ComputerName – the name displayed at the loginwindow, and via certain network browsing protocols.

The LocalHostName and ComputerName can be set in the Sharing preferences pane.
hostname is set via DHCP, or via command-line.

You can also use scutil:

scutil –set HostName
scutil –set LocalHostName
scutil –set ComputerName

Unless you have something running at startup that resets these, changing them should survive a reboot.

[formz]

I have used all those commands to set them all to the exact same value but it doesn’t survive a restart.

There are no logon scripts of any kind or any strange utilities that would be setting it back to that value. I’m completely at a loss here and am about to wipe the entire computer. 👿

[formz]

I also should add that this happened after removing the computer from one user, importing another user using migration assistant, and then wiping out the old user.

[formz]

It is always set to the previous user’s name. IE: John Smith’s Mac Mini rather than the new user Matt Green’s Mac Mini. Its really, really strange. And its ONLY the computer name that changes. Every other value sticks so login screen and remote desktop name are always set to the old value.

[Author]

Posts