Re: administrator problems

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"mjgresham" <mjgresham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:4F381BFF-5AEF-4B0B-83BF-7CBA8C025341@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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


.

Relevant Pages

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    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: administrator problems
    ... Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which ... Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. ... or have problems because the original owner ... They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: administrator problems
    ... "Bruce Chambers" wrote: ... the only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. ... WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. ... 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. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: administrator problems
    ... i tried using the control userpasswrds2 that you suggested, ... "Bruce Chambers" wrote: ... Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which ... Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: administrator problems
    ... the only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. ... WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. ... 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. ... The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)