One of the things many OS X users like to do is put back the login window scope — the prototype you see behind the login screen . In OS ten 10.4 and earlier , the procedure was simple : just exchange the file cite Aqua Blue.jpg in /Library / Desktop Pictures with one of your own conception . In atomic number 76 X 10.5 , though , that simple answer is gone .

As name in Dan Frakes ’ excellentLeopard ’s first pinch clause , there are a twosome of ways to modify your Leopard login window background : you’re able to mire about with a system - level file ( not needs a good matter to do ) , or you’re able to use the $ 5Visage Loginto do that , and much more ( though it also change system file cabinet , but it ’s safer than doing so yourself ) .

I ’ll show you a third means to change your login window background — one that make in OS X 10.4 and 10.5 , and does n’t require supervene upon a system filing cabinet on either arrangement . This is the favourite way to transfer the image , even though it ’s more technical than the other solutions . By not modifying a arrangement - level file , you ’ll never fall back your login window background to a system update , for illustration . There ’s even grounds that this change will hold out a major upgrade , as a reader has tell apart me that the custom background was intact after upgrading to Leopard from Tiger .

To get ready for this change , you postulate two things : an image you ’d like to apply , size to your default screen resolution , and an open Terminal windowpane . Once you have the picture you ’d like to apply , there ’s a secret as to where to store the range : make unnecessary it in your user ’s Public booklet , at the top level . The other alternative is to put it in the top - degree Library - > Desktop Pictures folder , but that kind of defeats the purpose of not modify the organisation - possess folders , does n’t it ? The reason your picture needs to go in your Public folder is that it needs to be usable to all substance abuser . ( There are workarounds , but they require manure about with permissions . And why chafe if there ’s no indigence ? )

Once the range is quick and saved in the veracious pip , switch to the Terminal window , and introduce this command :

you may imitate the above ( triple - click it , then crusade Command - C ) , and then paste it into the open Terminal window . However , before you press out Return , you ’ll need to edit it a bite for your particular frame-up . Move back with the Left Arrow key until you ’re at the / afteryour_user .

Now constrict Delete to delete that second , and move into your forgetful username instead . Using the Right Arrow , move to the remainder of the filename , and supercede it with the name of your Indian file — make trusted you leave the last reference German mark in place . For example , here ’s what that portion of the command look like on my system :

Once you ’re sure everything looks right , press Return and render your admin password when ask . If you typed everything right , Terminal wo n’t echo anything back after you inscribe your password — you’ll just get the bid command prompt back .

To test your new screen background , the easiest thing to do is enable Fast User Switching ( in System Preferences - > report , then get across the Login Options item below the news report listing ) . In the card legal community , flick the Fast User Switching entry and select Login Window . If the statement worked , you ’ll see your new login screen . If it did n’t , you ’ll probably see a solid risque setting instead .

If it did n’t work , attempt it again and check that you have the bid right , with the proper filename ( and file name in Terminal are case raw ) .

If you ever tire of your custom screen , you may touch on the nonremittal version by edit the entry you created in the druthers file away :

The next time you see the login screen , it should be the intimate Aqua Blue ( 10.4 ) or mystifying space picture ( 10.5 ) . Although this method is perhaps a second more complicated than others , it ’s a very dependable way to supersede the login window image without concern of damaging your organisation .