Mac OS X v10.6: Unable to restart or shut down when multiple users are logged in

Products Affected

Mac OS X 10.6

Symptoms

When attempting to restart or shut down your computer while multiple users are logged in with fast user switching, you will be prompted to enter an admin user's name and password. In Mac OS X v10.6 or later, if the account name is entered with incorrect capitalization nothing may happen when clicking Shut Down or Restart.

Resolution

Type the name with the same capitalized and lowercase letters that were used when the user account was originally created. To confirm the correct capitalization, view the name in the fast user switching menu or Accounts pane of System Preferences. You can also type in the short account name that matches the name of the admin user's home folder, but this name is also case sensitive.

Additional Information

If you are unable to restart or shut down when multiple users are logged in while using Mac OS X v10.5 through 10.5.8, see this article instead.

This document will be updated as more information becomes available.
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