Administrator profile missing; Restore system do not function

[Guest Bea]

I have Windows XP Media Center Edition:

 

I have to redo my question regarding my pc problem. I am such a newbie on

this site, and a newbie pc user too.

 

Here it goes: I uninstalled my webroot spyware. Then restarted laptop.

When I logged on (administrator account) I got this message, "windows

cannot load the users profile but has logged you on with the default

profile". Detail "The system can not find the file specified."

 

On the "default profile" that windows logged me on, I can not acces my

administrator profile desktop, and all my documents, and also all the

programs installed.

 

I tried to use Restore system, it doesn't work. I used to be able

to do system restore. I am hoping that if I restored the system prior to

9/26 I can recover all docs, desktop associated with my administrator profile.

 

I can't do any download, or send email using that laptop. Because it said

that I don't have administrator privilege.

 

I am using another laptop which unfortunately, doesn't mirror the contents

of the problem laptop.

 

Please help all my work related documents are in that laptop.

[Guest TERRY]

RE: Administrator profile missing; Restore system do not function

 

Hi Bea.I,m not an expert but i might be able to help.When you start your pc

click start on the bottom run.Type msconfig,run.This will bring up a window

with tabs on it.Click on the startup tab.Click on disable all,apply,close.The

pc will prompt you to restart.Restart.When the pc comes back on a window will

appear.Just click do not show again,close.This will stop all programs running

at startup.You may have a virus or spyware preventing you access.Once you

have done this you should be able to access your programs.If that doesn,t

work you may have to startup in safe mode and scan for viruses.Hope this

helps.TERRY.PS.Check your user accounts and reset it.Make sure your name is

under admin.

 

"Bea" wrote:

> I have Windows XP Media Center Edition:

>

> I have to redo my question regarding my pc problem. I am such a newbie on

> this site, and a newbie pc user too.

>

> Here it goes: I uninstalled my webroot spyware. Then restarted laptop.

> When I logged on (administrator account) I got this message, "windows

> cannot load the users profile but has logged you on with the default

> profile". Detail "The system can not find the file specified."

>

> On the "default profile" that windows logged me on, I can not acces my

> administrator profile desktop, and all my documents, and also all the

> programs installed.

>

> I tried to use Restore system, it doesn't work. I used to be able

> to do system restore. I am hoping that if I restored the system prior to

> 9/26 I can recover all docs, desktop associated with my administrator profile.

>

> I can't do any download, or send email using that laptop. Because it said

> that I don't have administrator privilege.

>

> I am using another laptop which unfortunately, doesn't mirror the contents

> of the problem laptop.

>

> Please help all my work related documents are in that laptop.

>

[Guest skeet3]

Re: Administrator profile missing; Restore system do not function

 

I'm definitely not an expert at this, but a similar situation occurred with

me a month or two ago. I was able to correct the problem by running a scan

disk (automatically correcting errors).

 

"Bea" <DeleteQueen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5472A554-934D-4F4C-AF36-1A8336A53A1F@microsoft.com...

>I have Windows XP Media Center Edition:

>

> I have to redo my question regarding my pc problem. I am such a newbie on

> this site, and a newbie pc user too.

>

> Here it goes: I uninstalled my webroot spyware. Then restarted laptop.

> When I logged on (administrator account) I got this message, "windows

> cannot load the users profile but has logged you on with the default

> profile". Detail "The system can not find the file specified."

>

> On the "default profile" that windows logged me on, I can not acces my

> administrator profile desktop, and all my documents, and also all the

> programs installed.

>

> I tried to use Restore system, it doesn't work. I used to be able

> to do system restore. I am hoping that if I restored the system prior to

> 9/26 I can recover all docs, desktop associated with my administrator

> profile.

>

> I can't do any download, or send email using that laptop. Because it said

> that I don't have administrator privilege.

>

> I am using another laptop which unfortunately, doesn't mirror the contents

> of the problem laptop.

>

> Please help all my work related documents are in that laptop.

>

[Guest Bea]

RE: Administrator profile missing; Restore system do not function

 

Thanks Terry. I tried it, but didn't work. Unfortunately I don't have any

virus protection installed. I uninstalled my webroot spyware and virus

protection a day before my subscription was to expire. I was considering to

install Norton antiVirus.

Then this problem happened.

 

I called webroot so I was just to renew with them, but now I can download

the software. Looks like my laptop already got virus infection. I'm using a

friend's laptop to connect to internet.

 

I hope I find a solution to this.

 

thanks.

bea

 

"TERRY" wrote:

> Hi Bea.I,m not an expert but i might be able to help.When you start your pc

> click start on the bottom run.Type msconfig,run.This will bring up a window

> with tabs on it.Click on the startup tab.Click on disable all,apply,close.The

> pc will prompt you to restart.Restart.When the pc comes back on a window will

> appear.Just click do not show again,close.This will stop all programs running

> at startup.You may have a virus or spyware preventing you access.Once you

> have done this you should be able to access your programs.If that doesn,t

> work you may have to startup in safe mode and scan for viruses.Hope this

> helps.TERRY.PS.Check your user accounts and reset it.Make sure your name is

> under admin.

>

> "Bea" wrote:

>

> > I have Windows XP Media Center Edition:

> >

> > I have to redo my question regarding my pc problem. I am such a newbie on

> > this site, and a newbie pc user too.

> >

> > Here it goes: I uninstalled my webroot spyware. Then restarted laptop.

> > When I logged on (administrator account) I got this message, "windows

> > cannot load the users profile but has logged you on with the default

> > profile". Detail "The system can not find the file specified."

> >

> > On the "default profile" that windows logged me on, I can not acces my

> > administrator profile desktop, and all my documents, and also all the

> > programs installed.

> >

> > I tried to use Restore system, it doesn't work. I used to be able

> > to do system restore. I am hoping that if I restored the system prior to

> > 9/26 I can recover all docs, desktop associated with my administrator profile.

> >

> > I can't do any download, or send email using that laptop. Because it said

> > that I don't have administrator privilege.

> >

> > I am using another laptop which unfortunately, doesn't mirror the contents

> > of the problem laptop.

> >

> > Please help all my work related documents are in that laptop.

> >

[Guest Bea]

Re: Administrator profile missing; Restore system do not function

 

Hi skeet3, I've done that too, but did not solve the problem.

Thanks,

Bea

 

"skeet3" wrote:

> I'm definitely not an expert at this, but a similar situation occurred with

> me a month or two ago. I was able to correct the problem by running a scan

> disk (automatically correcting errors).

>

> "Bea" <DeleteQueen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:5472A554-934D-4F4C-AF36-1A8336A53A1F@microsoft.com...

> >I have Windows XP Media Center Edition:

> >

> > I have to redo my question regarding my pc problem. I am such a newbie on

> > this site, and a newbie pc user too.

> >

> > Here it goes: I uninstalled my webroot spyware. Then restarted laptop.

> > When I logged on (administrator account) I got this message, "windows

> > cannot load the users profile but has logged you on with the default

> > profile". Detail "The system can not find the file specified."

> >

> > On the "default profile" that windows logged me on, I can not acces my

> > administrator profile desktop, and all my documents, and also all the

> > programs installed.

> >

> > I tried to use Restore system, it doesn't work. I used to be able

> > to do system restore. I am hoping that if I restored the system prior to

> > 9/26 I can recover all docs, desktop associated with my administrator

> > profile.

> >

> > I can't do any download, or send email using that laptop. Because it said

> > that I don't have administrator privilege.

> >

> > I am using another laptop which unfortunately, doesn't mirror the contents

> > of the problem laptop.

> >

> > Please help all my work related documents are in that laptop.

> >

>

>

>

[Guest Malke]

RE: Administrator profile missing; Restore system do not function

 

Bea wrote:

> Thanks Terry. I tried it, but didn't work. Unfortunately I don't have

> any

> virus protection installed. I uninstalled my webroot spyware and virus

> protection a day before my subscription was to expire. I was considering

> to install Norton antiVirus.

> Then this problem happened.

>

> I called webroot so I was just to renew with them, but now I can download

> the software. Looks like my laptop already got virus infection. I'm

> using a friend's laptop to connect to internet.

> "TERRY" wrote:

>

>> Hi Bea.I,m not an expert but i might be able to help.When you start your

>> pc click start on the bottom run.Type msconfig,run.This will bring up a

>> window with tabs on it.Click on the startup tab.Click on disable

>> all,apply,close.The pc will prompt you to restart.Restart.When the pc

>> comes back on a window will appear.Just click do not show

>> again,close.This will stop all programs running at startup.You may have a

>> virus or spyware preventing you access.Once you have done this you should

>> be able to access your programs.If that doesn,t work you may have to

>> startup in safe mode and scan for viruses.Hope this helps.TERRY.PS.Check

>> your user accounts and reset it.Make sure your name is under admin.

>>

>> "Bea" wrote:

>>

>> > I have Windows XP Media Center Edition:

>> >

>> > I have to redo my question regarding my pc problem. I am such a newbie

>> > on this site, and a newbie pc user too.

>> >

>> > Here it goes: I uninstalled my webroot spyware. Then restarted

>> > laptop.

>> > When I logged on (administrator account) I got this message, "windows

>> > cannot load the users profile but has logged you on with the default

>> > profile". Detail "The system can not find the file specified."

>> >

>> > On the "default profile" that windows logged me on, I can not acces my

>> > administrator profile desktop, and all my documents, and also all the

>> > programs installed.

>> >

>> > I tried to use Restore system, it doesn't work. I used to be able

>> > to do system restore. I am hoping that if I restored the system prior

>> > to 9/26 I can recover all docs, desktop associated with my

>> > administrator profile.

>> >

>> > I can't do any download, or send email using that laptop. Because it

>> > said that I don't have administrator privilege.

>> >

>> > I am using another laptop which unfortunately, doesn't mirror the

>> > contents of the problem laptop.

>> >

>> > Please help all my work related documents are in that laptop.

>> >

 

At this point you should retrieve your data and do a clean install of

Windows. After that, install a good antivirus such as NOD32, Kaspersky, or

Avast if you want a free one. I don't recommend SpySweeper since I've never

found it to be particularly effective and it tends to slow the system down.

 

To retrieve your data, pull the hard drive and put it in an external USB

enclosure. Attach the enclosure to a working XP machine and copy your data

off. Then put the laptop drive back and do the clean install. Refer to your

laptop manual or the laptop mftr.'s website for how to return your machine

to factory condition. Scan the data with a current antivirus using updated

definitions *before* you copy it back onto your new install.

 

When this is all over, create and implement a backup strategy because Stuff

Will Always Happen. Imaging your system regularly onto an external hard

drive with a program like Acronis True Image (which also does incremental

backups) is a good idea.

 

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Backing_Up

 

Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are

just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;

suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my

suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. If you can't do the work yourself

(and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), take the

machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent

of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all your data backed up

before you take the machine into a shop.

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

[Guest spamlet]

Re: Administrator profile missing; Restore system do not function

 

 

"Bea" <DeleteQueen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5472A554-934D-4F4C-AF36-1A8336A53A1F@microsoft.com...

>I have Windows XP Media Center Edition:

>

> I have to redo my question regarding my pc problem. I am such a newbie on

> this site, and a newbie pc user too.

>

> Here it goes: I uninstalled my webroot spyware. Then restarted laptop.

> When I logged on (administrator account) I got this message, "windows

> cannot load the users profile but has logged you on with the default

> profile". Detail "The system can not find the file specified."

>

> On the "default profile" that windows logged me on, I can not acces my

> administrator profile desktop, and all my documents, and also all the

> programs installed.

>

> I tried to use Restore system, it doesn't work. I used to be able

> to do system restore. I am hoping that if I restored the system prior to

> 9/26 I can recover all docs, desktop associated with my administrator

> profile.

>

> I can't do any download, or send email using that laptop. Because it said

> that I don't have administrator privilege.

>

> I am using another laptop which unfortunately, doesn't mirror the contents

> of the problem laptop.

>

> Please help all my work related documents are in that laptop.

 

Hi Bea,

 

I've solved most of my problem with the profiles and added a note for you in

my thread, and will repeat it here for completeness. Your situation sounds

a little different as you say your laptop created a default settings profile

for you and changed your account's privileges at the same time. As your

account and your profile are not the same thing this is rather odd. In my

case, my user name and password and the privilages that go with them were

not changed, they were simply directed at a new profile folder. Because

there was already a profile folder with the original name, it had to give

the temporary one a suffix. This meant I could not have my profile with its

usual name, because the account itself had been reassigned to the temp one.

So to get things right I had to delete the temp profile completely, so that

there was then no profile associated with my account at all. Then change

the name of my original and now, orphan, profile so that there was no folder

with my account name on in the local users list. Then when I logged on with

my normal account it makes me another default profile, but this time with

the proper name. Then all I had to do was empty this profile and copy my

original one into it. Simple when you twig how it works.

 

If your account really was changed from administrator to simply user. It

should be straight forward for you to change it back, as an administrator or

the administrator in safe mode. You could also, via the security tab of

your profile's properties sheet, at the same time change the profile folder

and all its subfolders, so that administrator, administratorS and yourself

have full permission, and just to make sure, take ownership via the advanced

tab, of your profile folder and all its subfolders (the bottom tick box).

If once you have everything working again, you then want to up your security

and tick the 'make my folders private' again, you can do this in the normal

my computer dialogue.

 

Here's what I put in the other thread:

 

 

I am not entirely sure what your problem is or even whether you are using

XPHome or Pro, but I have found it quite confusing coming to grips with the

difference between profiles, accounts, and identities, and consequently with

the sequence that one has to follow to set up a new account (or keep the old

one) and get the right files into it.

 

Are you saying that you can't log on other than in safe mode, or that you

can log on but are denied access to your files because they are now in a

different profile to which your new account has no permission because it is

not an administrator account? Also, was your old account actually the

computer's built in Administrator, account or was it a separate one that you

made, and thus is one of the AdministratorS plural as opposed to THE

Administrator. If your old profile is only set to be accessed by THE

Administrator, then you will need to add Adminstrators in the plural to its

permissions table. Unfortunately, it can be quite confusing dealing with

the various dialogues under the Security tab, and you may need someone to

help you with them.

 

Anyhow, even if you do have the permissions it can still be confusing

getting the profile attached to the right account. When you create a new

account in Control Panel, it initially has no profile. When you log in to

your new account the first time a set of folders is created for your

profile, but with a hidden security code that uniquely associates them with

that account. So even if you make another account with the same name and

password, it won't be associated with the old profile folders, and instead,

windows makes you a new profile with default settings. If you used the same

name as your original account, without deleting your original, then the new

one is given an extension number to distinguish it.

 

That's what happened to me, and I got a bit of a list of extra default

profiles before I twigged what was going on! By which time I had to have a

good look at all the properties sheets size and files data to make sure

which profiles belonged to which accounts and which to none at all...

 

So anyhow to cut a long story short, I've got things back in order now, and

if your is not a more fiddly permissions issue, the same may work for you:

 

So sequence is:

In a spare admin account;

 

Rename original profile folder in MyComputer\C\Docs and Settings;

 

Delete any new profiles xp has made for you that have very little in (on my

laptop these are all about 850k);

 

Log on in normal way with your original user name and password;

 

Log off when xp has finished building a new profile with your original

profile's name;

 

Log back in to spare admin ac;

 

In docs and sets, empty the new profile folder completely (to get rid of

some of the default links you may have removed in your real profile) so that

it just leaves the empty profile folder with your name on;

 

Copy (not move, you may need them again) all the contents of your original

but renamed folder, into the now empty new profile folder. If your

ntuser.dat and ntuser.dat.log files are still serviceable, this should

recreate your original profile.

 

A good sign that you are headed in the right direction is that this may take

several minutes, depending on how much stuff is in your profile. In my case

there were Google Earth cache files and Picassa photo database files which

were 400Mb odd, which slowed the copying down rather.

 

(If you have one, also copy all the contents to a backup drive as well; then

delete the original, if you are pushed for space. You will now appreciate

its probably a good idea to keep a back up profile somewhere!)

 

I found that after I had done this everything worked OK except that my

normal desktop picture did not come up on its own. In the main folder of my

profile is a file marked 'theme'. Just clicking on this got it all loaded

properly.

 

So that's it from my end. I still have one phantom account that I need to

track down, but it is not, thankfully, mine!

 

And you're right: this relatively simple process took days to suss out. You

never stop learning with MS!

 

Good luck,

 

S

 

Links I have found useful:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555473

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=28099&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=1a1e5e5b66cd4790a1f11595c1f713d1&start=15

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc722901.aspx

 

I still have one account which seems to exist only in the land of

(ctrl-alt-delete)x2 though. Can't even see it anywhere to delete it!

 

S