User Account Problems

[Oscar]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

I've inherited a computer running WXP SP1 that has two user ID's, with
neither designated on the log-in screen as "Administrator". The computer
seems to run fine, but when I click on Control Panel/User Accounts, nothing
happens. I get the same result, regardless of which User ID I use to log on.
There are no passwords involved.
1) How can I tell which is the Administrator account?
2) Any ideas on why I can't get to the User Account function of the Control
Panel? Is there another way to get there?
Thanks very much for your help.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

You've inherited the computer, you don't know the condition prior to your
receiving it or anything about the computer. The best thing you can do is
to run a new install of XP and during setup, wipe out the old install,
giving you a clean slate from which to start:
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

A few screens into the boot process, if you see the message on the boot
screen to "Press any key in order to boot from the CD," do so.

After loading drivers and files, you should be taken to a screen with
the following:

To Setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To Repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console press R.
To Quit setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

In your case, press ENTER.

Agree to the License agreement by pressing F8.

You will then be taken to a screen with two options.

To repair the selected Windows XP installation press R.
To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing,
press ESC.

This will bring you to a partition map where you
can delete, create and format partitions.
Select the drive you wish to format, delete the partition, then create a new
partition, format as desired and continue with XP installation.


--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Oscar" <oc404@hotmail.nottoday.com> wrote in message
news:usDOOKg3EHA.2248@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> I've inherited a computer running WXP SP1 that has two user ID's, with
> neither designated on the log-in screen as "Administrator". The computer
> seems to run fine, but when I click on Control Panel/User Accounts,
> nothing happens. I get the same result, regardless of which User ID I use
> to log on. There are no passwords involved.
> 1) How can I tell which is the Administrator account?
> 2) Any ideas on why I can't get to the User Account function of the
> Control Panel? Is there another way to get there?
> Thanks very much for your help.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

I have had the same problem and I did not know what caused it. I just got my
computer about a month ago and I noticed that somehow I ended up with 3
accounts - the administrator's, one that I created to use while on the
internet, and the another that I am not sure where it came from. I do not
know if it was created while establishing my home network because the name on
the account is one I use at times.

"Oscar" wrote:

> I've inherited a computer running WXP SP1 that has two user ID's, with
> neither designated on the log-in screen as "Administrator". The computer
> seems to run fine, but when I click on Control Panel/User Accounts, nothing
> happens. I get the same result, regardless of which User ID I use to log on.
> There are no passwords involved.
> 1) How can I tell which is the Administrator account?
> 2) Any ideas on why I can't get to the User Account function of the Control
> Panel? Is there another way to get there?
> Thanks very much for your help.
>
>
>