Guest mjgresham Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got on it and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she is now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any programs or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged on as administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we don' t know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a repair shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be able to do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!!
Guest Jim Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Re: administrator problems "mjgresham" <mjgresham@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:07C31BCC-120E-47F8-ADFA-186955A66583@microsoft.com... > my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got on > it > and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she is > now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any > programs > or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged on > as > administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried > adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we don' > t > know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a repair > shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be able > to > do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! She must login to an account which is a member of the administrators group to create a new account of any type. Such an account can quite easily move her account from one group to another. The real problem, though, is that her account may not be a member of the administrators group. What you have here is an instance of expecting a machine to take the place of parental control. If she has an installation CD, then you can reinstall XP from scratch. This is quite time consuming (a couple of days for example). Another approach would be for her to regain control of her own house. Jim
Guest Bruce Chambers Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Re: administrator problems mjgresham wrote: > my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got on it > and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she is > now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any programs > or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged on as > administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried > adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we don' t > know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a repair > shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be able to > do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to modify the desired account(s). By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login dialog box. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. Be that as it may, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired from strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or friend, your friend's wisest course of action would definitely be to format the hard drive and start fresh. She doesn't want to get in trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner downloaded/installed viruses or other malware. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ~ Denis Diderot
Guest mjgresham Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Re: administrator problems what do i do when i get into safe mode and do i use safe mode with command prompts? by the way, it is xp home. i am just completely lost with something like this. "Bruce Chambers" wrote: > mjgresham wrote: > > my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got on it > > and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she is > > now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any programs > > or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged on as > > administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried > > adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we don' t > > know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a repair > > shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be able to > > do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! > > > Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which > cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to > modify the desired account(s). > > By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of > WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing > CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login > dialog box. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's > password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's > probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the > Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. > > Be that as it may, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired > from strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or > friend, your friend's wisest course of action would definitely be to > format the hard drive and start fresh. She doesn't want to get in > trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with > kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner > downloaded/installed viruses or other malware. > > > -- > > Bruce Chambers > > Help us help you: > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html > > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 > > They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary > safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin > > Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell > > The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has > killed a great many philosophers. > ~ Denis Diderot >
Guest mjgresham Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Re: administrator problems i almost forgot, she doesn't have any of the discs that came with the computer. the person she got it from might have also bought it used, i have no idea "Bruce Chambers" wrote: > mjgresham wrote: > > my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got on it > > and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she is > > now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any programs > > or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged on as > > administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried > > adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we don' t > > know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a repair > > shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be able to > > do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! > > > Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which > cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to > modify the desired account(s). > > By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of > WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing > CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login > dialog box. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's > password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's > probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the > Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. > > Be that as it may, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired > from strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or > friend, your friend's wisest course of action would definitely be to > format the hard drive and start fresh. She doesn't want to get in > trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with > kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner > downloaded/installed viruses or other malware. > > > -- > > Bruce Chambers > > Help us help you: > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html > > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 > > They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary > safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin > > Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell > > The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has > killed a great many philosophers. > ~ Denis Diderot >
Guest mjgresham Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Re: administrator problems i tried using the control userpasswrds2 that you suggested, but it still comes up needing to have admistrator right in order to do anything whith it. "Bruce Chambers" wrote: > mjgresham wrote: > > my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got on it > > and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she is > > now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any programs > > or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged on as > > administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried > > adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we don' t > > know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a repair > > shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be able to > > do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! > > > Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which > cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to > modify the desired account(s). > > By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of > WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing > CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login > dialog box. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's > password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's > probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the > Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. > > Be that as it may, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired > from strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or > friend, your friend's wisest course of action would definitely be to > format the hard drive and start fresh. She doesn't want to get in > trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with > kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner > downloaded/installed viruses or other malware. > > > -- > > Bruce Chambers > > Help us help you: > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html > > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 > > They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary > safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin > > Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell > > The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has > killed a great many philosophers. > ~ Denis Diderot >
Guest Lem Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Re: administrator problems mjgresham wrote: > i tried using the control userpasswrds2 that you suggested, but it still > comes up needing to have admistrator right in order to do anything whith it. > > "Bruce Chambers" wrote: > >> mjgresham wrote: >>> my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got on it >>> and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she is >>> now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any programs >>> or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged on as >>> administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried >>> adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we don' t >>> know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a repair >>> shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be able to >>> do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! >> >> Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which >> cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to >> modify the desired account(s). >> >> By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of >> WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing >> CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login >> dialog box. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's >> password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's >> probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the >> Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. >> >> Be that as it may, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired >> from strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or >> friend, your friend's wisest course of action would definitely be to >> format the hard drive and start fresh. She doesn't want to get in >> trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with >> kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner >> downloaded/installed viruses or other malware. >> >> >> -- >> >> Bruce Chambers >> >> Help us help you: >> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 >> >> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary >> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin >> >> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell >> >> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has >> killed a great many philosophers. >> ~ Denis Diderot >> Did you follow the part of Bruce's suggestion that said, "Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account ..."? -- Lem -- MS-MVP To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm
Guest Jim Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Re: administrator problems "Lem" <lemp40@unknownhost> wrote in message news:OS8YNvKLJHA.5436@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > mjgresham wrote: >> i tried using the control userpasswrds2 that you suggested, but it still >> comes up needing to have admistrator right in order to do anything whith >> it. >> >> "Bruce Chambers" wrote: >> >>> mjgresham wrote: >>>> my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got >>>> on it and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured >>>> out, she is now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or >>>> remove any programs or even access wireless internet because it says >>>> she has to be logged on as administrator and we can't figure out how to >>>> change this. we have tried adding a new usse, but this too has to have >>>> administrator rights. we don' t know what to do because she doesn't >>>> have the money to take it to a repair shop. please, someone help us out >>>> here. i need exact directions to be able to do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! >>> >>> Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which >>> cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to >>> modify the desired account(s). >>> >>> By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of >>> WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing >>> CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login >>> dialog box. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's >>> password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's >>> probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the >>> Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. >>> >>> Be that as it may, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired >>> from strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or >>> friend, your friend's wisest course of action would definitely be to >>> format the hard drive and start fresh. She doesn't want to get in >>> trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with >>> kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner >>> downloaded/installed viruses or other malware. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> >>> Bruce Chambers >>> >>> Help us help you: >>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html >>> >>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 >>> >>> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary >>> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin >>> >>> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand >>> Russell >>> >>> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has >>> killed a great many philosophers. >>> ~ Denis Diderot >>> > > Did you follow the part of Bruce's suggestion that said, "Simply log in > using the built-in Administrator account ..."? > > -- > Lem -- MS-MVP > > To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM. > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer > http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm If those kids have any clues, they have put a password on the built in administrator account. Perhaps they have also renamed it. There is a way to clear that password by using a Knoppix disk (Knoppix is a Linux variant). Shell commands are expert friendly beginner hostile though. Jim
Guest Patrick Keenan Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Re: administrator problems "mjgresham" <mjgresham@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4F381BFF-5AEF-4B0B-83BF-7CBA8C025341@microsoft.com... > what do i do when i get into safe mode and do i use safe mode with command > prompts? by the way, it is xp home. i am just completely lost with > something > like this. For XP Home, restart the machine and press F8 as it starts. You may need to restart a couple of times to get the timing right. Choose Safe Mode, not "with command prompt". You'll get the Welcome screen and this is where the Administrator account will appear. It shouldn't have a password; if it asks for one, just press Enter. If that doesn't work, a password has been set for that account and you have to either get it or clear it. You may need help with clearing it, but it's not impossible or particularly difficult; there are free password-reset utilities you can download and burn to CD. These create a boot CD - you restart the system with the CD - that runs Linux, another operating system, and you will have gotten instructions for what to type to clear the passwords. Since you have XP Home this won't apply to you, but it's worth knowing that for XP Pro, this process can permanently break access to encrypted files. OR, you can to to Start, Run, and type MSCONFIG and press enter. On the Boot.ini tab, choose /Safeboot. Click Apply and OK. This may not work if the account isn't an admin account. HTH -pk > > "Bruce Chambers" wrote: > >> mjgresham wrote: >> > my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got >> > on it >> > and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she >> > is >> > now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any >> > programs >> > or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged >> > on as >> > administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried >> > adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we >> > don' t >> > know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a >> > repair >> > shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be >> > able to >> > do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! >> >> >> Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which >> cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to >> modify the desired account(s). >> >> By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of >> WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing >> CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login >> dialog box. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's >> password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's >> probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the >> Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. >> >> Be that as it may, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired >> from strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or >> friend, your friend's wisest course of action would definitely be to >> format the hard drive and start fresh. She doesn't want to get in >> trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with >> kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner >> downloaded/installed viruses or other malware. >> >> >> -- >> >> Bruce Chambers >> >> Help us help you: >> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 >> >> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary >> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin >> >> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand >> Russell >> >> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has >> killed a great many philosophers. >> ~ Denis Diderot >>
Guest mjgresham Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Re: administrator problems I was finally able to get this done and resored all adminstrator rights. Now I am having another problem. When I go under device settings, it shows nothing at all, no modems, no anything. It stays a blank page. Could they have removed all devices from the computer? I also tried adding new hardware, but no matter how many times I clicked on it, nothing happened. What could cause this? Thanks for the previous help. "Bruce Chambers" wrote: > mjgresham wrote: > > my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got on it > > and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she is > > now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any programs > > or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged on as > > administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried > > adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we don' t > > know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a repair > > shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be able to > > do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! > > > Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which > cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to > modify the desired account(s). > > By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of > WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing > CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login > dialog box. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's > password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's > probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the > Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. > > Be that as it may, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired > from strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or > friend, your friend's wisest course of action would definitely be to > format the hard drive and start fresh. She doesn't want to get in > trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with > kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner > downloaded/installed viruses or other malware. > > > -- > > Bruce Chambers > > Help us help you: > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html > > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 > > They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary > safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin > > Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell > > The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has > killed a great many philosophers. > ~ Denis Diderot >
Guest GlowingBlueMist Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Re: administrator problems "mjgresham" <mjgresham@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:C1EFD135-A88A-4700-9F99-4CF648F3F905@microsoft.com... >I was finally able to get this done and resored all adminstrator rights. >Now > I am having another problem. When I go under device settings, it shows > nothing at all, no modems, no anything. It stays a blank page. Could they > have removed all devices from the computer? I also tried adding new > hardware, > but no matter how many times I clicked on it, nothing happened. What could > cause this? Thanks for the previous help. > > "Bruce Chambers" wrote: > >> mjgresham wrote: >> > my friend bought a used computer, which worked fine until her kids got >> > on it >> > and locked her out with a log on password. we got that figured out, she >> > is >> > now able to log on to windows, but now she can't add or remove any >> > programs >> > or even access wireless internet because it says she has to be logged >> > on as >> > administrator and we can't figure out how to change this. we have tried >> > adding a new usse, but this too has to have administrator rights. we >> > don' t >> > know what to do because she doesn't have the money to take it to a >> > repair >> > shop. please, someone help us out here. i need exact directions to be >> > able to >> > do this. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! >> >> >> Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which >> cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to >> modify the desired account(s). >> >> By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of >> WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing >> CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login >> dialog box. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's >> password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's >> probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the >> Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. >> >> Be that as it may, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired >> from strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or >> friend, your friend's wisest course of action would definitely be to >> format the hard drive and start fresh. She doesn't want to get in >> trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with >> kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner >> downloaded/installed viruses or other malware. >> >> >> -- >> >> Bruce Chambers >> >> Help us help you: >> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 >> >> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary >> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin >> >> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand >> Russell >> >> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has >> killed a great many philosophers. >> ~ Denis Diderot >> While logged in as the Administrator, not the old account, try making a new account and assigning it Administrator rights. Possibly the old account has a damaged or missing file. Then log into the new account and see if the problem has been resolved. If it has then it's time to think about removing the original account.
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