New user Creation created mountain of problems

[Guest]

After using just one user on our computer for over a year, I decided to
create one for my Dh to use. Doing so created a mountain and a half of
problems and I have been unable to fix them. Below is a list:

- All the files and folder I had/used (like pictures, itunes, etc) were put
into "Administrator" document and files and I didn't create any. So now
instead of clicking My Pictures and seeing all my pictures, I have to go
through a series of folders to get to them.

- I am always set as Administrator because I use the original user name and
Norton tells me I can't update because only the Administrator can.

- All my general settings for desktop, files, basic options for clicking and
viewing folders had to be reset.

- On my desktop, there is now a blue band on the left that says Folder
Options with little arrows to click. This wasn't there originally and I
dont' want it now.

- There seems to be mysterious programs that run, I can hear the computer
running, the little light indicating action is on but I'm not doing anything
on the computer.

Today I installed a game for my child and it won't run (dont' know if a
windows problem or game problem).

This is just the things I can think of right now. There are other things
still.

If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it. I feel formatting is not
going to solve the problem, it just wipes everything out.

Thank you!

 

[Rock]

"JustAnn" wrote
Your post is a bit unclear. What version of XP - Home or Pro? What exacly
did you you have, what did you do, and what is now the impact you are
seeing> I will reply in line?

After using just one user on our computer for over a year, I decided to
create one for my Dh to use. Doing so created a mountain and a half of
problems and I have been unable to fix them. Below is a list:

So what are the details here?

1. What account were you using? Was it the built in Adminisrator account
by that name? If that is the case know it is not good practice to have only
one admin level account (I will distinguish between _the_ Adminstrator
account - the one built in - and an admin level account - which is a user
created account with admin privileges, and a limited user account - which
is a user account with limited privileges which is what your daughter and
most users should be running in).

2. How were you logging in the the computer when there was only that one
account? Was a password assigned?

3. What type of account did you create? Admin or limited? Was a password
assigned? What is the account name?

4. After you created this second account how did you login to the computer?
Does it stop at he Welcome Screen where you have to choose an account and
enter a password, or does it automaticall go to a desktop? If the latter
what account does it log into? The Administrator account or the new
account?

General comments. When XP is installed by default an account called
Administrator is created with admin privileges. For XP Pro your prompted to
assign a password to it, for XP Home you're not. It is not good practice to
use the Adminstrator account for day to day activities. Why? Because if
something damages this account and it's the only admin level account on the
system, then you are severely limited in what you can do to fix problems.
You can't create any new accounts, etc. And if it happens to be the only
account on the computer, if it get's corrupted you can't login. You're up
the creek now.

What you should do is set a strong password on the Administrator account.
Create at least one other account with admin priviliges to use as the
working account. Then create any number or limited user accounts for other
users on the computer. Set the Administrator account aside to be used only
if something damages the normal working account.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=279783

What happens when a another account is created? The built in Administrator
account is hidden. It does not appear on the Welcome Screen. To access
this account, in XP Pro at the Welcome Screen do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get
the classic login box. Enter Administrator as the user name and the
password for it.

For XP Home you have to start in Safe Mode to see this account. Restart the
computer, as the BIOS splash screen disappears repeatedly tap the F8 key
until the Advanced Options menu appears containing Safe Mode as one choice.
Highlight it and press enter. The Administrator account will appear on the
Welcome Screen.

- All the files and folder I had/used (like pictures, itunes, etc) were
put
into "Administrator" document and files and I didn't create any.

What does this mean that all were "put into "Administrator" and I didnt'
create any"? If the only account had been Administrator then that as
expexted. All the files you created would be under that account. What does
"I didn't create any mean".

Assuming that is the case, and you have now created another admin level
account login to that new account at least once, then copy the data and
settings from the Adminstrator account to this new working admin level
account. Here is a link on how to do that.

How to Copy a User Profile
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_logon.htm

So now
instead of clicking My Pictures and seeing all my pictures, I have to go
through a series of folders to get to them.

- I am always set as Administrator because I use the original user name

This is confusing. What do you mean "I am always set as Administrator"?
This goes back to the original set of questions I asked. I believe what is
happening is now that you have created a new account you are automatically
being logged to that account. When you click Start what appears at the top
for accont name?

and Norton tells me I can't update because only the Administrator can.

Sounds like the new account you created is a limited user account and you
are logging in to that account. Norton wants and admin account and is
complaining.

- All my general settings for desktop, files, basic options for clicking
and
viewing folders had to be reset.

Yes because you are no longer logging into the Administrator account.

- On my desktop, there is now a blue band on the left that says Folder
Options with little arrows to click. This wasn't there originally and I
dont' want it now.

That's probably the Comman Tasks pane. To remove it Run the edit on Kelly's
site:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 15: Remove Common Tasks from the Desktop

See the top of that page for info.

- There seems to be mysterious programs that run, I can hear the computer
running, the little light indicating action is on but I'm not doing
anything
on the computer.

No way for me to know based on the limited info you have provided. How do
you check for malware? Do you run several anti-Spyware apps, besides Norton
whatever (you haven't said if it's Norton Anti-Virus or Norton Internet
Security or Norton ?).

By the way Symantec's line of home security products under the Norton name
are problematic. Even under the best of conditions it is a heavy resource
hog. And sooner or later it can cause other problems. You are well advised
to replace it with other alternatives that are less resource heavy and run
well some are even free.

Anti-Virus: Avast (free), AVG (free), NOD32, Kaspersky; Firewall (all free):
Sunbelt Software Kerio Personal Firewall, Comodo Personal Firewall;
Anti-Malware (all free): Ad-Aware SE Personal, SpyBot S&D, Windows Defender,
BHO Demon, Spyware Blaster, HijackThis.

Today I installed a game for my child and it won't run (dont' know if a
windows problem or game problem).

Don't know, you haven't provided much info. Saying "it won't run" doesn't
describe the problem. What game, how did you install it? Into what
account? How do you try to run it? When happens or doesn't happen when you
try? Any error messages?

This is just the things I can think of right now. There are other things
still.

If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it. I feel formatting is not
going to solve the problem, it just wipes everything out.

First straighten out the accounts problem, then you can work on the other
issues.

 

[Guest]

"JustAnn" wrote
Your post is a bit unclear. What version of XP - Home or Pro? What exacly
did you you have, what did you do, and what is now the impact you are
seeing> **I have XP Media Center Edition.


So what are the details here?

1. What account were you using? Was it the built in Adminisrator account
by that name? If that is the case know it is not good practice to have only
one admin level account (I will distinguish between _the_ Adminstrator
account - the one built in - and an admin level account - which is a user
created account with admin privileges, and a limited user account - which
is a user account with limited privileges which is what your daughter and
most users should be running in).
**It was the built in Administrator account. At the time, I was the only one on the computer so I didn't see it necessary to create any other accounts. The account was not set up with a password.
2. How were you logging in the the computer when there was only that one
account? Was a password assigned?

**There was no password assigned. When I would turn on the computer it
would bring to straight to the desktop.

3. What type of account did you create? Admin or limited? Was a password
assigned? What is the account name?

**The Account created was a limited account. I later changed it to Admin
via the original account.

4. After you created this second account how did you login to the computer?
Does it stop at he Welcome Screen where you have to choose an account and
enter a password, or does it automaticall go to a desktop? If the latter
what account does it log into? The Administrator account or the new
account?

**After the second user name was created, I had to choose which one to use.
The original account is Ann, the second is Ann2. Too close now that I think
about it. There is no password for either of them. I choose the original
account name when I select.

General comments. When XP is installed by default an account called
Administrator is created with admin privileges. For XP Pro your prompted to
assign a password to it, for XP Home you're not. It is not good practice to
use the Adminstrator account for day to day activities. Why? Because if
something damages this account and it's the only admin level account on the
system, then you are severely limited in what you can do to fix problems.
You can't create any new accounts, etc. And if it happens to be the only
account on the computer, if it get's corrupted you can't login. You're up
the creek now.

What you should do is set a strong password on the Administrator account.
Create at least one other account with admin priviliges to use as the
working account. Then create any number or limited user accounts for other
users on the computer. Set the Administrator account aside to be used only
if something damages the normal working account.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=279783

What happens when a another account is created? The built in Administrator
account is hidden. It does not appear on the Welcome Screen. To access
this account, in XP Pro at the Welcome Screen do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get
the classic login box. Enter Administrator as the user name and the
password for it.

For XP Home you have to start in Safe Mode to see this account. Restart the
computer, as the BIOS splash screen disappears repeatedly tap the F8 key
until the Advanced Options menu appears containing Safe Mode as one choice.
Highlight it and press enter. The Administrator account will appear on the
Welcome Screen.




What does this mean that all were "put into "Administrator" and I didnt'
create any"? If the only account had been Administrator then that as
expexted. All the files you created would be under that account. What does
"I didn't create any mean".

**After I created the new user, I now have to go to My Computer>Drive
C>Administrator Documents and Settings>Administrator Pictures, to access my
picture folders. Prior to the new user, I could click My pictures and see all
my picture files.

Assuming that is the case, and you have now created another admin level
account login to that new account at least once, then copy the data and
settings from the Adminstrator account to this new working admin level
account. Here is a link on how to do that.

How to Copy a User Profile
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_logon.htm



This is confusing. What do you mean "I am always set as Administrator"?
This goes back to the original set of questions I asked. I believe what is
happening is now that you have created a new account you are automatically
being logged to that account. When you click Start what appears at the top
for accont name?
**Ann

Sounds like the new account you created is a limited user account and you
are logging in to that account. Norton wants and admin account and is
complaining.


Yes because you are no longer logging into the Administrator account.


That's probably the Comman Tasks pane. To remove it Run the edit on Kelly's
site:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 15: Remove Common Tasks from the Desktop

See the top of that page for info.


No way for me to know based on the limited info you have provided. How do
you check for malware? Do you run several anti-Spyware apps, besides Norton
whatever (you haven't said if it's Norton Anti-Virus or Norton Internet
Security or Norton ?).

**I use Norton, my SBC Browser scanner, Ad-Aware, and Spybot Search and
Destroy. The Norton I have is Internet Security.

By the way Symantec's line of home security products under the Norton name
are problematic. Even under the best of conditions it is a heavy resource
hog. And sooner or later it can cause other problems. You are well advised
to replace it with other alternatives that are less resource heavy and run
well some are even free.

Anti-Virus: Avast (free), AVG (free), NOD32, Kaspersky; Firewall (all free):
Sunbelt Software Kerio Personal Firewall, Comodo Personal Firewall;
Anti-Malware (all free): Ad-Aware SE Personal, SpyBot S&D, Windows Defender,
BHO Demon, Spyware Blaster, HijackThis.


Don't know, you haven't provided much info. Saying "it won't run" doesn't
describe the problem. What game, how did you install it? Into what
account? How do you try to run it? When happens or doesn't happen when you
try? Any error messages?

*** installed the game from the disk, which is still in the drive. I have
tried to run it from the disk and what I see is a white window on the desk
top where the game should be. Nothing else. Just the white window.

 

[Rock]

"JustAnn" wrote

**It was the built in Administrator account. At the time, I was the only
one on the computer so I didn't see it necessary to create any other
accounts. The account was not set up with a password.
Ok.

**There was no password assigned. When I would turn on the computer it
would bring to straight to the desktop.
Ok.

**The Account created was a limited account. I later changed it to Admin
via the original account.

And what is that account name?

**After the second user name was created, I had to choose which one to
use.
The original account is Ann, the second is Ann2. Too close now that I
think
about it. There is no password for either of them. I choose the original
account name when I select.

Now this is confusing. You were using the built in Administrator account.
Then you added a second account. The Administrator account is now hidden.
But now you mention Ann and Ann2. Where did the 3rd account come from?

**After I created the new user, I now have to go to My Computer>Drive
C>Administrator Documents and Settings>Administrator Pictures, to access
my
picture folders. Prior to the new user, I could click My pictures and see
all
my picture files.

Ok, that's to be expected. You were using the Administrator account before
so all the data is in that account. As I wrote before, copy the data and
settings from the Administrator account to your new working admin level
account, Ann or Ann2. Once you test it out and see all the data is there,
you can delete the redundant data in the Administrator account.

**Ann

Ok, so this is your new admin level account? You must have created two
accounts, Ann for you and Ann2 for your daughter.

**I use Norton, my SBC Browser scanner, Ad-Aware, and Spybot Search and
Destroy. The Norton I have is Internet Security.

Ok, Ad-Aware and Sypbot Search and Destroy are good. I don't know about SBC
Browser scanner. NIS is a heavy resource hog. I strongly suggest you get
rid of it and use an AV program and firewall from the list I gave. I like
Avast for AV. It's free, works well, and is light on resources. For paid
NOD32 and Kaspersky are excellent as well.

For firewall I have Sunbelt's Kerio Personal Firewall on one system, and
Comodo on another. Both work fine.

*** installed the game from the disk, which is still in the drive. I have
tried to run it from the disk and what I see is a white window on the desk
top where the game should be. Nothing else. Just the white window.

Did you install it from an admin level account? You might need to go to the
game manufacturer's web site to look for install info or contact their tech
support for help.

I hope this clarifies things.