How to disable Open Directory to startup with Mac OS X I was recently given a computer by the IT dept. at my company, right before the IT guy left for a few days... However it isn't configured to be used:



From what I understand this is called "Open Directory". I don't need it for the work I'm doing. How do I start the computer with the "normal" Mac OS X?

I do not have a way to go past the prompt.

I couldn't find anything online about this.
In my opinion - as a SysAdmin/Mac supporter - this is a really bad hack and it is not recommended. But it works!

You probably can forcefully unbind your Mac and reconfigure it by using the .AppleSetupDone method. This may "poison" the Open Directory though, because your Mac isn't properly unbound from the disconnected/non-reachable OD server.


Reboot to Single User Mode with cmdS
Enter /sbin/fsck -fy
Enter /sbin/mount -uw /
Enter rm -r /Library/Preferences/DirectoryService/
Enter rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone


On the first attempt this didn't work for me – I got some override root messages. Simply enter yes then. This doesn't remove the files/folder in question though. I repeated the last three steps but accidentally entered /sbin/mount -rw / (which doesn't mean read-write but read-only followed by a read/write) as first command.


Enter /sbin/mount -rw / (/sbin/mount -w / should also work but that's unclear)
Enter rm -r /Library/Preferences/DirectoryService/
Enter rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone


After a reboot (shutdown -r now) you should get the Config Assistant and create a new local admin account.



After setting up the new admin user, open System Preferences > Users &amp; Groups > Login Options > Network Account Server. You probably have to remove any listed OD to properly work with your local admin account.