Filed under: How-tos, Tips and tricks
Change the login window background in Mac OS X
- Step 1: Locate the file "Aqua Blue.jpg," which is in /Library/Desktop Pictures/. Rename it so you don't overwrite it later.
- Step 2: Create a new image or re-purpose an existing image that inspires you. Name the new image "Aqua Blue.jpg" and place it in the /Library/Desktop Pictures/ directory.
- Step 3: There is no step 3.

You might think this trivial hack serves no purpose other than eye candy, but it's also a good way to identify your Powerbook/iBook in case of loss or theft by adding your name and/or phone number to the login window background image.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jesse Dodds said 8:37AM on 8-09-2005
Anyone know where i could get that great desktop background???
Cheers
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David Moss said 8:50AM on 8-09-2005
I'm not sure about that particular background Jesse, but I've only recently realised myself what a great resource www.flickr.com is for images suitable for nackgrounds. I have the most amazing sunset set as my current one, and I might rename it, so that it stays ther when I login. Thanks for the tip, Laurie!
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Laurie said 8:56AM on 8-09-2005
Jesse - do you mean the background I used in the image in this post? I have it in my own collection and it originally came from http://www.macdesktops.com/index.phtml?Picture=3451&res=TRUE
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Oliver said 11:52AM on 8-09-2005
In case of theft? So the guy who steals your powerbook is going to see your name and phone number everytime he/she logs in, and eventually become so overcome by feelings of guilt that they decide to give you a call...
:-p
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Dan Peterson said 12:30PM on 8-09-2005
Google Images is another great resource for finding just the image you need. I used a padlock.
http://budgetstockphoto.com/samples/pics/padlock.jpg
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glad said 8:18PM on 8-09-2005
I have just done the hack and now have a picture of Halle Berry in a bikini just right of my login as result I take a bit longer to login and there's extra drool on the keyboard!:-)
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Byron Bowerman said 9:42PM on 8-09-2005
Yeah, because everyone knows that whoever steals your laptop would never wipe the hdd and reinstall the os. Or chop your box up and sell it as parts.
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big steve said 6:29AM on 8-10-2005
I think the best use for this is to set a different background picture for every startup disk. Not that it's that big of a deal, but it personalizes bootable FireWire HDs or alternative boot disks for quick reference.
My main startup background is from pixelgirl:
and my "Oh Shit!" startup disk is a 3d render of the kernal panic/restart screen that I can't seem to find at the moment... all in all, fun.
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Scott Gardner said 12:04PM on 8-10-2005
This is very cool, and free to boot. But if you're looking for additional functionality along these lines (e.g., you can even add a message to your login box like "HELP I'M LOST"), check out Visage ($10 shareware, free trial). It works great and the developer is very responsive. It's right up there with Saft on my list of favs.
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