Deleting Multiple Users

[Dave]

Not sure I'm in the right place, but here goes.

On a clean reinstall, WInXP decided I should have 3 users; All Users, David
(me), and Owner. I am the sole user of this comp. Any way I can at least
get rid of "Owner" (Understand I'm stuck with All Users)

Thank you in advance

Dave - aka David

 

[Larry Samuels]

From Windows XP Help and Support:

To delete a user account:
Open Computer Management.
In the console tree, click Users.
Where?
Computer Management
System Tools
Local Users and Groups
Users
Right-click the user account you want to delete, and then click Delete.
Notes
To open Computer Management, click Start, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer
Management.

When you need to remove user accounts, it is a good idea to disable the
accounts first. When you are certain that disabling the account has not
caused a problem, you can safely delete it.
A deleted user account cannot be recovered.
The built-in Administrator and Guest accounts cannot be deleted.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Not sure I'm in the right place, but here goes.

On a clean reinstall, WInXP decided I should have 3 users; All Users, David
(me), and Owner. I am the sole user of this comp. Any way I can at least
get rid of "Owner" (Understand I'm stuck with All Users)

Thank you in advance

Dave - aka David

"All Users" is not an account. It is merely a profile folder used
as a repository for shortcuts etc. that must be visible to all users.

 

[Dave]

Thanks Larry-
Unfortunately, I don't seem to have a "Users" console tree item.. Also, how
do I disable an account (clearly a very good first step?)
What to do?

Dave

 

[Larry Samuels]

XP Home or Pro?
Easiest way to delete a user in XP home is to go to Control Panel/user
accounts. Click on the user you wish to delete. Click delete the account.
Follow the onscreen prompts if you wish to save the users files.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Dave]

I have the Home version
in CP?Users, only two appear, David (me) and Guest. When I booted this
morning, it came up Owner. Somewhere, I noted the user name came up as
david/owner. Not sure how that got there - could that be a problem?

Dave

 

[Larry Samuels]

Hi Dave,

It sounds like you (or someone setting up the pc) changed the name of the
owner account created during the initial install to David instead of
creating an account named David. The pc will always see that account as
owner even though you log in as David due to the unique id created during
account creation.

This can cause havoc with password protected network shares. You will have
to access those shares as owner since that is the ID the pc is broadcasting
to the network.

There is an easy way out though it requires jumping through a few hoops.
1>rename the David account back to Owner
2>create an account named David with matching permissions
3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account
4>log off, then log back on as David
5>delete the owner account


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Dave]

Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Larry Samuels]

Sounds like this is more of a mess than expected.
The computer name is David--that needs to be changed if you are going to have a user account named David.

Step 1- For safety's sake, remove the passwords from all accounts before logging off.
Step 2-delete the David-1 account you just created.
Step 3-rename the computer david1 (or anything other than David)
Step 4-reboot the computer and log in as David
Step 5-verify all your personal files are there in the David profile
Step 6-delete the owner account
Step 7-reboot the pc and log in as David
Step 8-reset the password on your David account

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Dave]

Good progress Larry -

Got through your step 5 OK. David profile contains all my files correctly. (Whew)
Re: Step 6 - deleting Owner account;
1) 'Owner' does show up in CP/Users. Only David (Computer Administrator) and Guest (Guest account is off)
2) Using Explorer, get the error message "Owner is Windows system file and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be deleted."

Step 6 OK - all files OK
Step 7 - Not using passwords - at least not yet.

Any further thoughts on getting rid of Owner??
THx much
Dave

Sounds like this is more of a mess than expected.
The computer name is David--that needs to be changed if you are going to have a user account named David.

Step 1- For safety's sake, remove the passwords from all accounts before logging off.
Step 2-delete the David-1 account you just created.
Step 3-rename the computer david1 (or anything other than David)
Step 4-reboot the computer and log in as David
Step 5-verify all your personal files are there in the David profile
Step 6-delete the owner account
Step 7-reboot the pc and log in as David
Step 8-reset the password on your David account

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Larry Samuels]

Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode?

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Good progress Larry -

Got through your step 5 OK. David profile contains all my files correctly. (Whew)
Re: Step 6 - deleting Owner account;
1) 'Owner' does show up in CP/Users. Only David (Computer Administrator) and Guest (Guest account is off)
2) Using Explorer, get the error message "Owner is Windows system file and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be deleted."

Step 6 OK - all files OK
Step 7 - Not using passwords - at least not yet.

Any further thoughts on getting rid of Owner??
THx much
Dave

Sounds like this is more of a mess than expected.
The computer name is David--that needs to be changed if you are going to have a user account named David.

Step 1- For safety's sake, remove the passwords from all accounts before logging off.
Step 2-delete the David-1 account you just created.
Step 3-rename the computer david1 (or anything other than David)
Step 4-reboot the computer and log in as David
Step 5-verify all your personal files are there in the David profile
Step 6-delete the owner account
Step 7-reboot the pc and log in as David
Step 8-reset the password on your David account

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Dave]

Snip>

Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode? Yes

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

Yes

On reboot, it defaulted to David, but Owner still doesn't show up in CP/Users, still does in Explorer.

Dave


Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode?

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Good progress Larry -

Got through your step 5 OK. David profile contains all my files correctly. (Whew)
Re: Step 6 - deleting Owner account;
1) 'Owner' does show up in CP/Users. Only David (Computer Administrator) and Guest (Guest account is off)
2) Using Explorer, get the error message "Owner is Windows system file and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be deleted."

Step 6 OK - all files OK
Step 7 - Not using passwords - at least not yet.

Any further thoughts on getting rid of Owner??
THx much
Dave

Sounds like this is more of a mess than expected.
The computer name is David--that needs to be changed if you are going to have a user account named David.

Step 1- For safety's sake, remove the passwords from all accounts before logging off.
Step 2-delete the David-1 account you just created.
Step 3-rename the computer david1 (or anything other than David)
Step 4-reboot the computer and log in as David
Step 5-verify all your personal files are there in the David profile
Step 6-delete the owner account
Step 7-reboot the pc and log in as David
Step 8-reset the password on your David account

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Larry Samuels]

Try deleting the owner account in Safe mode.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode? Yes

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

Yes

On reboot, it defaulted to David, but Owner still doesn't show up in CP/Users, still does in Explorer.

Dave


Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode?

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Good progress Larry -

Got through your step 5 OK. David profile contains all my files correctly. (Whew)
Re: Step 6 - deleting Owner account;
1) 'Owner' does show up in CP/Users. Only David (Computer Administrator) and Guest (Guest account is off)
2) Using Explorer, get the error message "Owner is Windows system file and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be deleted."

Step 6 OK - all files OK
Step 7 - Not using passwords - at least not yet.

Any further thoughts on getting rid of Owner??
THx much
Dave

Sounds like this is more of a mess than expected.
The computer name is David--that needs to be changed if you are going to have a user account named David.

Step 1- For safety's sake, remove the passwords from all accounts before logging off.
Step 2-delete the David-1 account you just created.
Step 3-rename the computer david1 (or anything other than David)
Step 4-reboot the computer and log in as David
Step 5-verify all your personal files are there in the David profile
Step 6-delete the owner account
Step 7-reboot the pc and log in as David
Step 8-reset the password on your David account

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Dave]

The plot thickens.

When I boot in Safe Mode, the User screen comes up OK, defaulted to Owner. If I touch any key, or try to move the mouse, the screen freezes. So, back to normal mode.

Making some changes in my Favorites file for tracking purposes, I note that when I am in David, my changes (as shown in Explorer) are actually appearing in Owner.

Spent some time in the Registry editor. Noted the following (but I'm not about to change anything on my own):
1) David-1, Owner and DavidNew (one of my earlier attempts at something) appear numerous places, although all technically deleted.
2) One Owner item in HKey_Users I though was interesting - (Login User Name) - Owner
3) David/Owner and Owner/David - no entries.

I believe the operating system is really using Owner, even when I log in as David. Very interesting. This sort of thing is my biggest complain with XP - seems like this stuff never ends.

What to do now?
And thanks for hanging in there with me.
Dave


Try deleting the owner account in Safe mode.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode? Yes

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

Yes

On reboot, it defaulted to David, but Owner still doesn't show up in CP/Users, still does in Explorer.

Dave


Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode?

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Good progress Larry -

Got through your step 5 OK. David profile contains all my files correctly. (Whew)
Re: Step 6 - deleting Owner account;
1) 'Owner' does show up in CP/Users. Only David (Computer Administrator) and Guest (Guest account is off)
2) Using Explorer, get the error message "Owner is Windows system file and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be deleted."

Step 6 OK - all files OK
Step 7 - Not using passwords - at least not yet.

Any further thoughts on getting rid of Owner??
THx much
Dave

Sounds like this is more of a mess than expected.
The computer name is David--that needs to be changed if you are going to have a user account named David.

Step 1- For safety's sake, remove the passwords from all accounts before logging off.
Step 2-delete the David-1 account you just created.
Step 3-rename the computer david1 (or anything other than David)
Step 4-reboot the computer and log in as David
Step 5-verify all your personal files are there in the David profile
Step 6-delete the owner account
Step 7-reboot the pc and log in as David
Step 8-reset the password on your David account

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Larry Samuels]

Hi Dave,

Sorry for the delay in replying--I am buried in crashed servers belonging to customers at the moment.
I'll get back to you soon, hopefully by tomorrow night.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

The plot thickens.

When I boot in Safe Mode, the User screen comes up OK, defaulted to Owner. If I touch any key, or try to move the mouse, the screen freezes. So, back to normal mode.

Making some changes in my Favorites file for tracking purposes, I note that when I am in David, my changes (as shown in Explorer) are actually appearing in Owner.

Spent some time in the Registry editor. Noted the following (but I'm not about to change anything on my own):
1) David-1, Owner and DavidNew (one of my earlier attempts at something) appear numerous places, although all technically deleted.
2) One Owner item in HKey_Users I though was interesting - (Login User Name) - Owner
3) David/Owner and Owner/David - no entries.

I believe the operating system is really using Owner, even when I log in as David. Very interesting. This sort of thing is my biggest complain with XP - seems like this stuff never ends.

What to do now?
And thanks for hanging in there with me.
Dave


Try deleting the owner account in Safe mode.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode? Yes

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

Yes

On reboot, it defaulted to David, but Owner still doesn't show up in CP/Users, still does in Explorer.

Dave


Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode?

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Good progress Larry -

Got through your step 5 OK. David profile contains all my files correctly. (Whew)
Re: Step 6 - deleting Owner account;
1) 'Owner' does show up in CP/Users. Only David (Computer Administrator) and Guest (Guest account is off)
2) Using Explorer, get the error message "Owner is Windows system file and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be deleted."

Step 6 OK - all files OK
Step 7 - Not using passwords - at least not yet.

Any further thoughts on getting rid of Owner??
THx much
Dave

Sounds like this is more of a mess than expected.
The computer name is David--that needs to be changed if you are going to have a user account named David.

Step 1- For safety's sake, remove the passwords from all accounts before logging off.
Step 2-delete the David-1 account you just created.
Step 3-rename the computer david1 (or anything other than David)
Step 4-reboot the computer and log in as David
Step 5-verify all your personal files are there in the David profile
Step 6-delete the owner account
Step 7-reboot the pc and log in as David
Step 8-reset the password on your David account

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Dave]

Larry -
Look at Windows KB 312131 -
I have SP2, but I'm going to pursue the SP thing a little further. I also have quite a few restore points :<)
Dave
Hi Dave,

Sorry for the delay in replying--I am buried in crashed servers belonging to customers at the moment.
I'll get back to you soon, hopefully by tomorrow night.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

The plot thickens.

When I boot in Safe Mode, the User screen comes up OK, defaulted to Owner. If I touch any key, or try to move the mouse, the screen freezes. So, back to normal mode.

Making some changes in my Favorites file for tracking purposes, I note that when I am in David, my changes (as shown in Explorer) are actually appearing in Owner.

Spent some time in the Registry editor. Noted the following (but I'm not about to change anything on my own):
1) David-1, Owner and DavidNew (one of my earlier attempts at something) appear numerous places, although all technically deleted.
2) One Owner item in HKey_Users I though was interesting - (Login User Name) - Owner
3) David/Owner and Owner/David - no entries.

I believe the operating system is really using Owner, even when I log in as David. Very interesting. This sort of thing is my biggest complain with XP - seems like this stuff never ends.

What to do now?
And thanks for hanging in there with me.
Dave


Try deleting the owner account in Safe mode.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode? Yes

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

Yes

On reboot, it defaulted to David, but Owner still doesn't show up in CP/Users, still does in Explorer.

Dave


Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode?

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Good progress Larry -

Got through your step 5 OK. David profile contains all my files correctly. (Whew)
Re: Step 6 - deleting Owner account;
1) 'Owner' does show up in CP/Users. Only David (Computer Administrator) and Guest (Guest account is off)
2) Using Explorer, get the error message "Owner is Windows system file and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be deleted."

Step 6 OK - all files OK
Step 7 - Not using passwords - at least not yet.

Any further thoughts on getting rid of Owner??
THx much
Dave

Sounds like this is more of a mess than expected.
The computer name is David--that needs to be changed if you are going to have a user account named David.

Step 1- For safety's sake, remove the passwords from all accounts before logging off.
Step 2-delete the David-1 account you just created.
Step 3-rename the computer david1 (or anything other than David)
Step 4-reboot the computer and log in as David
Step 5-verify all your personal files are there in the David profile
Step 6-delete the owner account
Step 7-reboot the pc and log in as David
Step 8-reset the password on your David account

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Dave]

Something else. I note under System Properties/Advanced/User Profiles/Settings the only profile listed is DAVIDNEW\Owner. Wonderful. I tried DAVIDNEW previously, but deleted it (or thought I did) when it didn't help. It also appears on a registry find.

Don't know if this helps.

Dave


Larry -
Look at Windows KB 312131 -
I have SP2, but I'm going to pursue the SP thing a little further. I also have quite a few restore points :<)
Dave
Hi Dave,

Sorry for the delay in replying--I am buried in crashed servers belonging to customers at the moment.
I'll get back to you soon, hopefully by tomorrow night.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

The plot thickens.

When I boot in Safe Mode, the User screen comes up OK, defaulted to Owner. If I touch any key, or try to move the mouse, the screen freezes. So, back to normal mode.

Making some changes in my Favorites file for tracking purposes, I note that when I am in David, my changes (as shown in Explorer) are actually appearing in Owner.

Spent some time in the Registry editor. Noted the following (but I'm not about to change anything on my own):
1) David-1, Owner and DavidNew (one of my earlier attempts at something) appear numerous places, although all technically deleted.
2) One Owner item in HKey_Users I though was interesting - (Login User Name) - Owner
3) David/Owner and Owner/David - no entries.

I believe the operating system is really using Owner, even when I log in as David. Very interesting. This sort of thing is my biggest complain with XP - seems like this stuff never ends.

What to do now?
And thanks for hanging in there with me.
Dave


Try deleting the owner account in Safe mode.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode? Yes

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

Yes

On reboot, it defaulted to David, but Owner still doesn't show up in CP/Users, still does in Explorer.

Dave


Does owner show up as a user account when booting to safe mode?

Also, when browsing to the documents and settings folder do both David and owner have folders?

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

Good progress Larry -

Got through your step 5 OK. David profile contains all my files correctly. (Whew)
Re: Step 6 - deleting Owner account;
1) 'Owner' does show up in CP/Users. Only David (Computer Administrator) and Guest (Guest account is off)
2) Using Explorer, get the error message "Owner is Windows system file and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be deleted."

Step 6 OK - all files OK
Step 7 - Not using passwords - at least not yet.

Any further thoughts on getting rid of Owner??
THx much
Dave

Sounds like this is more of a mess than expected.
The computer name is David--that needs to be changed if you are going to have a user account named David.

Step 1- For safety's sake, remove the passwords from all accounts before logging off.
Step 2-delete the David-1 account you just created.
Step 3-rename the computer david1 (or anything other than David)
Step 4-reboot the computer and log in as David
Step 5-verify all your personal files are there in the David profile
Step 6-delete the owner account
Step 7-reboot the pc and log in as David
Step 8-reset the password on your David account

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
Larry - Thank you.

Ok, I've jumped through quite a lot of hoops lately. Few more won't hurt. BTW, did a restore point before I got into this.

Snip

1>rename the David account back to Owner

Ok, did that -

2>create an account named David with matching permissions

Won't let me - "Can't use same name as computer" (Brilliant logic, sounds like vintage Bill Gates) so I changed it to David-1 (may have been a mistake)

3>copy your documents, favorites, etc to the David account

Paradoxically, correct docs/folders are already in David. Owner and David-1 are basically empty - default folders, etc., only

4>log off, then log back on as David

Got smart (?) and stopped before going this far. Sort of unnerving that when you log off to change users, you have to volunteer the user name.

5>delete the owner account

Didn't get this far -

Any thoughts??
Dave

 

[Larry Samuels]

Hi Dave,

I need you to do something for me.
Please boot to safe mode with networking

I need a list of the following items as they are now:
1>the full computer name
2>the computer description
3>the workgroup or domain (this sounds like useless info but domain policy overrides local policy if it is in effect)
4>A list if all user accounts that appear in safe mode and a separate list of all user accounts that appear in normal mode

I also need:
5>A list of the user accounts that were on the PC before you first tried changing the user names
6>a list of user accounts that you have created/deleted or renamed

Sorry for requesting all the info, but something strange is going on that is hard to diagnose without physical access to the pc.The steps I listed earlier should have resolved the problem unless there is still an account I am not aware of or a change was made that hasn't been mentioned.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Dave]

Larry - Interesting (not good) things are happening:

First is my reply ticking doesn't appear to be working -
Secondly, just discovered my OE address file is empty. (Have it backed
up/copied - just another nuisance.)

---------------------------------------------------
Snips

Please boot to safe mode with networking

NG - comp freezes as soon as I touch a key or the mouse

Continuing in plain safe mode -

?I need a list of the following items as they are now:

In System Properties/Computer name

1>the full computer name DAVIDNEW

2>the computer description

Grayed out - no entry

3>the workgroup or domain (this sounds like useless info but domain policy
overrides local policy if it is in effect)

ORCHARD NET (I live on Orchard St.)

4>A list if all user accounts that appear in safe mode and a separate list
of all user accounts that appear in normal mode

Safe Mode - DAVID and I think Administrator (forgot to write it down)
Normal Mode - David (Administrator) and Guest (Guest account is on)

I also need:
5>A list of the user accounts that were on the PC before you first tried
changing the user names

David and I think Guest. In Explorer it was always David and All Users

6>a list of user accounts that you have created/deleted or renamed

From memory - DAVID, DAVID-1, David, Dave,DAVIDNEW, Sam

Hope this helps
Thank you once again - hope you got some/all your servers going
Dave



Hi Dave,

I need you to do something for me.
Please boot to safe mode with networking

I need a list of the following items as they are now:
1>the full computer name
2>the computer description
3>the workgroup or domain (this sounds like useless info but domain policy
overrides local policy if it is in effect)
4>A list if all user accounts that appear in safe mode and a separate list
of all user accounts that appear in normal mode

I also need:
5>A list of the user accounts that were on the PC before you first tried
changing the user names
6>a list of user accounts that you have created/deleted or renamed

Sorry for requesting all the info, but something strange is going on that is
hard to diagnose without physical access to the pc.The steps I listed
earlier should have resolved the problem unless there is still an account I
am not aware of or a change was made that hasn't been mentioned.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Dave]

My list of users seems to be growing - no idea why. Under
Explorer/Documents and Settings I now have Administrator, All Users, David,
Default User, Guest and Owner.

Can't wait to see what's in there tomorrow.

Confused


Hi Dave,

I need you to do something for me.
Please boot to safe mode with networking

I need a list of the following items as they are now:
1>the full computer name
2>the computer description
3>the workgroup or domain (this sounds like useless info but domain policy
overrides local policy if it is in effect)
4>A list if all user accounts that appear in safe mode and a separate list
of all user accounts that appear in normal mode

I also need:
5>A list of the user accounts that were on the PC before you first tried
changing the user names
6>a list of user accounts that you have created/deleted or renamed

Sorry for requesting all the info, but something strange is going on that is
hard to diagnose without physical access to the pc.The steps I listed
earlier should have resolved the problem unless there is still an account I
am not aware of or a change was made that hasn't been mentioned.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-