As the superuser (or root) in Leopard, how can I log into another users desktop without knowing their password?
I have a MacPro that is shared between a number of people and I have administrative rights to the machine. We also have some expensive software which we have to share the license for. I suspect that some users are logging into their accounts, starting up this software but not closing the software (thereby freeing up the license for others to use), and then they are logging out. Is it possible for me to log into their desktop, so that I can verify whether they are actually using the software or not?
If you log out of your user account, all applications are quit unless they're "fast user switching" out. (i.e; not really logging out, just switching back to the login window so people can't use their account.) If they're actually logging out, then the software can't be left running under their account in any case, which rules out that possibility.
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I suspect they are fast user switching then. It says they are still logged in. Regardless, is there a way to login to their desktop using root? I'm pretty sure I've done this before in Ubuntu.
That's not ideal. The software is meant for numerical methods and can take a few days before the simulations are done. In the meantime, other users want to be able to use the mac (just not this particular software). So fast switching should stay on.
All I want to know is this: Is there a way to log into a users desktop with the root password? If yes, how?
You'll forgive us for being hesitant to disclose any root-related techniques. The Mac is a very secure platform specifically because root is DISabled by default and we are naturally not forthcoming to strangers asking root questions.
As I understand your problem, you have other users who may be using a bit of software that is currently licensed for only one user at a time, and who may not be closing it when they switch users. But then you tell us that this software may NEED to run for a long time, and thus fast user switching (the curtailing of which would solve the issue) can't be done.
Well, which is it? You can't have it both ways, root user or no root user. Either these folks need to be able to keep the software running across days, or they don't. If they don't, make them fully log out by disabling fus. If they do, put a sticky on the machine reminding the other users to please close ALL unused apps BEFORE switching users.
Or, if possible, buy more licenses/seats for this software.
Hard as it may be for an admin to believe, interaction with other humans can be rewarding.
As I understand your problem, you have other users who may be using a bit of software that is currently licensed for only one user at a time, and who may not be closing it when they switch users. But then you tell us that this software may NEED to run for a long time, and thus fast user switching (the curtailing of which would solve the issue) can't be done.
Kindof correct. We have 1 license for this software (and so only 1 instance of the software can be open at a time). The software runs simulations that can take a couple of days to finish. Fast user switching is required so that other users can use the mac while the simulations are going on. These simulations could take say 1 or 2 days to complete...we don't know exactly how long they'll take. The only way to find out if the simulations are finished is to check the output from the program. This is why I need to be able to log into the users Desktop to check to see if the simulations are done. If they are, I can free up the license for somebody else to use. Getting a second license isn't too practical since the license is more expensive than our mac pro.
So, this is what I want to do:
Log into another users desktop (who has logged out using fast user switching) using the admin login username/password to check to see if the simulations are done. From the command line I can browse files with admin privileges, but how do I log into their Desktop?
A similar problem would be this: A user locks the computer (note: I haven't actually done this in Leopard but I assume it's possible). Admin privileges should be able to unlock the computer. How would I unlock the computer when it only asks for the password and not a username? (I should be able to specify that I want to unlock the computer as an admin user, but I don't know how).
That's not ideal. The software is meant for numerical methods and can take a few days before the simulations are done. In the meantime, other users want to be able to use the mac (just not this particular software). So fast switching should stay on.
All I want to know is this: Is there a way to log into a users desktop with the root password? If yes, how?
Not directly. As Root, the most you would be able to do from the terminal is to shut down their console, or their tasks, with the ps and kill commands. However, it is not elegant, as I know of no way from doing it from inside Aqua...
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A roundabout way might be to have every user start a VNC server application at login, each on a different port. Then use a VNC client to connect to every user's VNC server, giving you complete control of their desktops.
A roundabout way might be to have every user start a VNC server application at login, each on a different port. Then use a VNC client to connect to every user's VNC server, giving you complete control of their desktops.
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