Help! Any WinXp experts...

[RioRodent]

OK, on my laptop, I had never created any User Accounts... until last night.

It would appear I had been using a (presumably) default user account called 'Administrator'.

I was having a problem logging-in to a new Boss Media poker site - something to do with only being allowed 4 Boss sites on one computer - so I thought that I may be able to get around this by creating a new user account and logging-in from there. (That didn't work, but that's not issue.)

When creating this new account I had no option but to grant it administrator staus... then I couldn't delete it! Last night I was able to switch between the two accounts - Administrator & Alan - so I didn't worry too much about it, and turned off the laptop.

Now today when I turned it on, there is only one user account - Alan, with hardly any icons on the desktop, no email settings etc.

Looking at Windows Explorer, under C:\Documents and Settings\ there is still an 'Administrator' and now an 'Alan' folder. The Administrator folder seems to have all my old config, settings, layout etc stored in it.

So the question is... how can I get rid of the 'Alan' user account and get back to the way it was before last night? I suspect copying the contents of the 'Admistrator' folder to the 'Alan' folder might restore somethings, but I am concerned about my emails, cookies etc.

Any help gratefully accepted.

Cheers,
Alan

[KarmaDope]

I don't know how to delete the Alan account, but if you search google for "logging in as administrator on Windows XP" that will give you access to the admin account. I know it involves changing the login screen, but I'm at work and can't tell you how, sorry!

[LLevan]

Not sure if it will do the job but you could try doing a system restore in windows.

[AndrewT]

Try booting in Safe Mode (hold down F8 during booting) and it should give you access to the two accounts.

[RichEO]

Something to try, might not work...

Disable fast user switching on the User accounts page (via control panel).

Then restart and log-in by typing Administrator as the username, and whatever password you suspect.

[Raindogs]

Something to try, might not work...

Disable fast user switching on the User accounts page (via control panel).

Then restart and log-in by typing Administrator as the username, and whatever password you suspect.

Yep, but it is the welcome screen you need to disable.

As soon as you add another account the Adminstrator account disappears from the list of users displayed if you are using the welcome screen.  To enable logging on using Ctrl+Alt+Del goto Control Panel->User Accounts->Change the way users log on or off.  Then deselect "Use the Welcome Screen".  BEFORE you do this make sure you know the password to the administrator account (if you have been logging in automatically it is probably blank).  Otherwise make sure the Alan account is still valid so you can log into that if you can't get in as administrator.

If you log off (possiblr re-boot) you should get the Ctrl+Alt+Del style logon.  Logon as administrator and you can then delete the Alan account.  If you now enable the welcome screen the system should auto logon as before.

[M3boy]

Hi

Im at work atm, but will be home soon.

What has happened is that the "administrator" is not shown on the login screen by default.

Safe mode booting will also allow login as administrator as previously said

There is a way to get this shown on the login screen but cant remember. I do have it written down at home though.

DONT copy things accross.

[RioRodent]

Thanks for the tips guys... I have managed to get back into the 'Admiinistrator' account, so that's good.

It still won't let me change the status of, or delete the other account, so that's not so good.

But I have found a way to hide the 'Alan' account, in the same way that that the admin one was. This should allow me to turn on and go straight into the admin account, without the welcome screen or any other log-in steps.

RegEdit is a wonderful (if scary) thing!

[RichEO]

No, your PC will only start up and log straight into the Administrator account if several conditions are met, mainly that you only have 1 account on the PC. The other is you need fast user switching enabled (so turn that back on if it's off).

And Raindogs, disable welcome screen is what I meant!

[M3boy]

This page may be of use to you

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_wel_screen.htm

[RioRodent]

No, your PC will only start up and log straight into the Administrator account if several conditions are met, mainly that you only have 1 account on the PC. The other is you need fast user switching enabled (so turn that back on if it's off).

And Raindogs, disable welcome screen is what I meant!

Rich,

I have 'fast user switching' enabled and with the new account now hidden it does indeed log staright in as Administrator... without stopping at the welcome screen, without passing Go and without collecting £200.

Cheers

[RioRodent]

This page may be of use to you

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_wel_screen.htm

Thanks for that info Paul. I've sorted my problem now, but will bookmark that link for future ref.

Cheers

[M3boy]

I still do not understand why you cannot delete the new user you setup with admin rights though.

What mesage do you get when you try and delete that user? (and I am assuming you are trying to delete the user through control panle, user accounts)

[ifm]

i have a problem where i cannot log into my default account because i spilt water on the keyboard disabling it, anybody know how to enter a password on the login screen without a keyboard?

[M3boy]

in XP use an onscreen keyboard

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/oskturnonuse.aspx

BUT that means you have to be logged in first, so that wont work