OSX: How to change user password when account was created without one?

Question

When I installed the PostgreSQL database server on my Mac, I created the "postgres" account so that it wouldn't have a password:

sudo dscl . -create /Users/postgres Password \*

I thought this would be a good security precaution to take. However, it also prevents me from logging in via the su command so that I can use psql to administer the database:

su - postgres    # <- prompts me for password

I've tried to change the postgres password using the "passwd" and "dscl . -passwd /Users/postgres" commands but they always prompt me for the old password. How do I set the password in this situation?

Thanks.

This might belong on Super User... if your question gets closed, don't fret. Just go there. — 2rs2ts, Jul 12 '13 at 17:56
[Probably the same solution as here.](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/11919391/postgresql-error-fatal-role-username-does-not-exist/11919677#11919677) — Erwin Brandstetter, Jul 12 '13 at 18:52

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 12 '13 at 18:13

0

Use sudo su - postgres instead. Enter the sudo password, and you'll be postgres.

answered Jul 12 '13 at 18:13

Denis de Bernardy

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This doesn't work for me. It still prompts me for a password. – Jim Jul 12 '13 at 22:22
Yes, it prompts for the admin user's password (because of the `sudo` command). It's the one you need to enter when you install software on your Mac. – Denis de Bernardy Jul 13 '13 at 11:51

OSX: How to change user password when account was created without one?

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