Administrator cannot access registry or uninstall programs

  • Thread starter Thread starter Meri Masters
  • Start date Start date
M

Meri Masters

I am having a mental block on how to access certain areas
of my computer as the administrator. I am the only user
on a computer with Windows XP professional installed and
my user profile shows that I am the administrator,
however, I am unable to uninstall certain programs or
even backup my registry because access is denied by the
administrator.

I don't recall putting restrictions on these areas when
installing XP Professional and nowhere in my literature
am I able to find out how to change the security level to
allow my access. Shouldn't access be automatic since I
am designated as the administrator when I am logged on?

I cannot install a new version of VirusScan because the
uninstall program will not completely remove an older
version and I cannot access the registry.

I appreciate your help with this. I recently lost my
husband who was really the person behind the more
technical aspect of our system. Since his death, the
stress I'm dealing with is probably causing me to forget
or miss something very obvious. I'm not usually this
blank...

Prior to upgrading to XP Professional, our computers were
networked for our home business and both running Windows
98. His computer retained the Windows 98 operating
system and he was never added as a user on this desktop.
I still have issues with the LAN and other problems as a
result of my upgrade and will address those another
time...

Many Thanks
 
my experience with user is that they don't give me the specific message of
the error and that's hard to work with. especially when i'm working
remotely.
could yo please give me the specific message.?

here's how to check to see if you have admin privilege on that machine:

in control panel, user accounts ---
or right click on my computer, select manage
go to Local users and groups
go to groups
double click on administrators group. make sure your account is in there.
 
Yes. My name is in the Administrator's group and I am
listed as an administrator in my user profile. I had
already confirmed my administrative privilege prior to
posting my question.

The message I receive when I attempt to run REGEDIT from
the start menu while I'm logged in as the administrator
is this: "Registry editing has been disabled by your
administrator". Does this help?

Would you like to see all of the messages I received when
attempting to install McAfee Internet Security 6 dealing
with the exclusion of VirusScan, or the name of the file
in VirusScan that I was denied access to when I manually
tried to uninstall the earlier version? I didn't think
they were relavent to the question of administrator not
being allowed access to certain files or tasks.

Thanks
 
sorry, i just had to make sure.
this key must be present in your registry: DisableRegistryTools
under HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\policies\system

have you try login with another that has administrative and see if that
account can performs all the tasks you wants.
you can also connect to that computer from another computer and check on the
registry if you can't get in.

sometimes the error messages you get from windows are vague to regular users
and that's why i need to know the exact wording.

let me know.
 
That's OK. I guess I'm having a bad day and after trying
to install this McAfee program for several days I'm
totally frustrated.
and see if that account can performs all the tasks you
wants<<

Is there a way for me to log on as another administrator
when I am the only user on this computer? Should I
create a new user profile?
computer and check on the registry if you can't get in.<<

How exactly? I cannot access this computer from my
husband's computer via the network. His hard drive
crashed and was replaced shortly before his death. Many
things were changed or lost that he didn't have time to
share with me. I cannot find my PC in his network
neighborhood. Also, there were some network
communication issues when I upgraded to XP that were
never solved prior to his illness. Frankly, I'm ready to
sell the business, dump them both and start fresh...lol

I appreciate your assistance.
Meri
 
Meri,
Have you tried your local computer repairers'?
I know that our local computer shop offers services like removal of a virus
infection for £20, or a cleanup and healthcheck for £20, or a complete
re-install for £40. These have always seemed pretty good value to me, though
I haven't had to try them out. It might be worth your while getting someone
like that to look at your whole IT setup, so you can get on with running
your business.
Mandy
 
Meri Masters said:
That's OK. I guess I'm having a bad day and after trying
to install this McAfee program for several days I'm
totally frustrated.

and see if that account can performs all the tasks you
wants<<

Is there a way for me to log on as another administrator
when I am the only user on this computer? Should I
create a new user profile?
Click to expand...
you can certainly create another account and give this account
administrative access. hopefully the restriction only applied to your
account (administrator)
computer and check on the registry if you can't get in.<<

How exactly? I cannot access this computer from my
husband's computer via the network. His hard drive
crashed and was replaced shortly before his death. Many
things were changed or lost that he didn't have time to
share with me. I cannot find my PC in his network
neighborhood. Also, there were some network
communication issues when I upgraded to XP that were
never solved prior to his illness.
Click to expand...

to access another computer through regedit, make sure "Remote Registry"
service and its dependencies are running. check with Services in Control
Panel, administrative tools.
from another computer, run regedit. go up to File, Connect to another
computer. Type in the ip address of the computer you want to access and hit
OK.



Frankly, I'm ready to
sell the business, dump them both and start fresh...lol
Click to expand...
ps: don't sell the business because of technical problems, get someone to
help you with it. or post all your questions here and if i have time, i will
help you with all of it.
 
Thank you for the help. I will print your reply and take
it over to the other computer to give it a try *after* I
try to create a new administrator's account. As for
selling the business because of technical reasons...
there's more to it than that. It was a joint venture and
without my other half, it's not the same.
Meri
 
Thank you for the thought Mandy. I've had the same
thought, but am resisting until I decide really whether I
want to keep the business. As I posted to Tin, our
business was a joing venture and without my other half,
it's just not the same. At this point, I'm just
interested in getting one computer in good working order
for my personal use and maybe selling off the rest. I
think I can stumble my way through with a little help
from this newsgroup or other users.

Meri
 
OK. Here's the latest. I went in and set up a new user
account and added the user to the administrator group.
After logging in under the new user, I was able to access
the registry. I saved a backup copy of the registry file
to my desktop and went to McAfeehelp.com to see about
deleting the version of VirusScan that was holding up the
installation of Internet Security 6.0. I've searched for
and deleted everything that had to do with McAfee and
VirusScan... except that when attempting to delete
anything that was in a file with the name "Legacy", I'd
get a message like this: "Cannot delete Legacy_McShield:
Error while deleting key" or this: "Unable to delete all
specified values".

Before I go back to McAfee for any help, or attempt again
to install Internet Security 6, do you have any comments
on the reason I couldn't delete the files that were
preceeded with the word "Legacy" or were in files
entitled "Legacy" or the effect it may have on trying to
install a McAfee product? I'm concerned this will be
another glitch in the process and I'd like to hear from
you first.

Many Thanks,
Meri
 
this was taken from mcafee's kb

Important: If the 'Network Associates McShield' or 'Network Associates
TaskManager' services are still installed, it means that either you have a
failed uninstall of VirusScan Enterprise 7, or a failed uninstall of
NetShield 4.5. Try uninstalling VirusScan Enterprise 7 again, or contact
support for manual removal instructions of NetShield 4.5.

Reboot the system
Clear all temp files from the system
Add SYSTEM account to C:\ permissions (FULL CONTROL) if the file system is
NTFS
If on Windows NT 4:

Double-Click on '<username> on: <computername>' (where <username> and
<computername> are the names of the logged on user and computer
respectively.
Right-Click on the 'C' Drive
Click on 'Properties'
Select the 'Security' tab
Click 'Permissions'
Select the 'SYSTEM' account
Select 'Full Control' next to "Type of Access:"
If on Windows 2000/XP/2003

Double-Click on 'My Computer'
Right-Click on the 'C' Drive
Click on 'Properties'
Select the 'Security' tab
Click 'ADD'
Select the 'SYSTEM' account
Click 'ADD'
Click 'OK'
Check 'Full Control'
Click 'Apply'
Click 'OK'
Open REGEDT32.EXE
Delete VSC 4.5.1 or NNT 4.5 or VSE 7.0 LEGACY KEYS by changing permissions
on the Root key in which is explained below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGACY_ALERTMANAGER
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGACY_AVSYNMGR
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGACY_MCAFEEFRAMEWORK
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGACY_MCSHIELD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGACY_MCTASKMANAGER
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGACY_NAIAVFILTER1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGACY_NAIAVFILTER101
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGACY_NAIFILTR
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGACY_NAIFSREC

NOTE: <ANYCONTROLSET> should be replaced by the folder(s) under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM (such as ControllSet001, ControllSet002,
CurrentControlSet, etc.).

Click on Security | Permissions
Check the option for "Everyone" to have full control (the option in the
bottom pane of the Permissions Tab)
Click on "Advanced"
Check the option to 'Reset Permissions on all child objects and enable
propagation of inheritable permissions.'
Click 'Apply'
Click 'OK' to the message, "This will remove explicitly defined permissions
on all child objects and enable propagation of inheritable permissions to
those child objects. Only the inheritable permissions propagates from the
LEGACY_***** will take effect. Do you Wish to continue?"
Click 'OK'
Press the "Del" key on your keyboard to delete the LEGACY key. Select 'Yes'
to the message, "Registry Editor will delete the currently selected key and
all its subkeys. Do you want to continue the operation?"
If Crystal Reports is installed (by itself or as a component of another
program):
This is the Microsoft article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;286814
This is Crystal's report and fix:
http://support.crystaldecisions.com/kbase/c2007581.asp
http://support.crystaldecisions.com/communityCS/FilesAndUpdates/scr8_webregfix.exe.asp

NOTE: Crystal Reports may be a component of another program (typically
accounting or financial applications; though not always) and may not be
listed in 'Add/Remove Programs'. If you have any applications that form
reports, please check with the vendor to see if Crystal Reports is an
installed component.

Reboot the system
Copy the VSE installation files to C:\WINNT\Temp
Run the installation silently
Open a command prompt
Type "cd\" (without the quotes) and hit [ENTER]
Type "cd c:\winnt\temp" (without the quotes) and hit [ENTER]
Type "setup.exe -s" (without the quotes) and hit [ENTER]
Wait approximately 5 minutes for the installation to complete.
Reboot the system
Run an 'Update Now'
 
Not sure that applies to what I've done since I never had
VirusScan Enterprise 7 or Netshield 4.5... and I've
already tried the manual removal of VirusScan per their
instructions. I'll check it out.
Thanks again for your assistance. I appreciate it.
Meri

-----Original Message-----
this was taken from mcafee's kb

Important: If the 'Network Associates McShield' or 'Network Associates
TaskManager' services are still installed, it means that either you have a
failed uninstall of VirusScan Enterprise 7, or a failed uninstall of
NetShield 4.5. Try uninstalling VirusScan Enterprise 7 again, or contact
support for manual removal instructions of NetShield 4.5.

Reboot the system
Clear all temp files from the system
Add SYSTEM account to C:\ permissions (FULL CONTROL) if the file system is
NTFS
If on Windows NT 4:

Double-Click on '<username> on: <computername>' (where
Click to expand...
<computername> are the names of the logged on user and computer
respectively.
Right-Click on the 'C' Drive
Click on 'Properties'
Select the 'Security' tab
Click 'Permissions'
Select the 'SYSTEM' account
Select 'Full Control' next to "Type of Access:"
If on Windows 2000/XP/2003

Double-Click on 'My Computer'
Right-Click on the 'C' Drive
Click on 'Properties'
Select the 'Security' tab
Click 'ADD'
Select the 'SYSTEM' account
Click 'ADD'
Click 'OK'
Check 'Full Control'
Click 'Apply'
Click 'OK'
Open REGEDT32.EXE
Delete VSC 4.5.1 or NNT 4.5 or VSE 7.0 LEGACY KEYS by changing permissions
on the Root key in which is explained below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGAC Y_ALERTMANAGER
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGAC Y_AVSYNMGR
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGAC Y_MCAFEEFRAMEWORK
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGAC Y_MCSHIELD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGAC Y_MCTASKMANAGER
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGAC Y_NAIAVFILTER1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGAC Y_NAIAVFILTER101
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGAC Y_NAIFILTR
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\<ANYCONTROLSET>\Enum\Root\LEGAC
Click to expand...
Y_NAIFSREC

NOTE: <ANYCONTROLSET> should be replaced by the folder (s) under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM (such as ControllSet001, ControllSet002,
CurrentControlSet, etc.).

Click on Security | Permissions
Check the option for "Everyone" to have full control (the option in the
bottom pane of the Permissions Tab)
Click on "Advanced"
Check the option to 'Reset Permissions on all child objects and enable
propagation of inheritable permissions.'
Click 'Apply'
Click 'OK' to the message, "This will remove explicitly defined permissions
on all child objects and enable propagation of inheritable permissions to
those child objects. Only the inheritable permissions propagates from the
LEGACY_***** will take effect. Do you Wish to continue?"
Click 'OK'
Press the "Del" key on your keyboard to delete the LEGACY key. Select 'Yes'
to the message, "Registry Editor will delete the currently selected key and
all its subkeys. Do you want to continue the operation?"
If Crystal Reports is installed (by itself or as a component of another
program):
This is the Microsoft article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en- us%3B286814
This is Crystal's report and fix:
http://support.crystaldecisions.com/kbase/c2007581.asp
http://support.crystaldecisions.com/communityCS/FilesAndU pdates/scr8_webregfix.exe.asp

NOTE: Crystal Reports may be a component of another program (typically
accounting or financial applications; though not always) and may not be
listed in 'Add/Remove Programs'. If you have any applications that form
reports, please check with the vendor to see if Crystal Reports is an
installed component.

Reboot the system
Copy the VSE installation files to C:\WINNT\Temp
Run the installation silently
Open a command prompt
Type "cd\" (without the quotes) and hit [ENTER]
Type "cd c:\winnt\temp" (without the quotes) and hit [ENTER]
Type "setup.exe -s" (without the quotes) and hit [ENTER]
Wait approximately 5 minutes for the installation to complete.
Reboot the system
Run an 'Update Now'

OK. Here's the latest. I went in and set up a new user
account and added the user to the administrator group.
After logging in under the new user, I was able to access
the registry. I saved a backup copy of the registry file
to my desktop and went to McAfeehelp.com to see about
deleting the version of VirusScan that was holding up the
installation of Internet Security 6.0. I've searched for
and deleted everything that had to do with McAfee and
VirusScan... except that when attempting to delete
anything that was in a file with the name "Legacy", I'd
get a message like this: "Cannot delete Legacy_McShield:
Error while deleting key" or this: "Unable to delete all
specified values".

Before I go back to McAfee for any help, or attempt again
to install Internet Security 6, do you have any comments
on the reason I couldn't delete the files that were
preceeded with the word "Legacy" or were in files
entitled "Legacy" or the effect it may have on trying to
install a McAfee product? I'm concerned this will be
another glitch in the process and I'd like to hear from
you first.

Many Thanks,
Meri

if
i have time, i will
Click to expand...


.
Click to expand...
 
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