establish myself back to administrator account

[Geno]

After formatting HD and installing all new software (XP, etc) When logging
in with my password I accidentally signed myself in as user limited
profile. How do I change back to Administrator rights. I need to finish
downloading more software from java.com, microsoft.com to install McAfee
virus protection suite asap.

 

[Leonard Grey]

Boot to Safe Mode, log on to the built-in Administrator account (no
password needed), open the User Accounts control panel and promote your
account to Computer Administrator.

Note: Do not ever use the built-in Administrator as a user account.

 

[MRD]

I did as you suggested but after signing in as the built-in administrator I
was not allowed to open the Users option in the control panel. Access was
denied. Anything more I can do? Thanks.

 

[Leonard Grey]

If the built-in Administrator can't open the User Accounts control
panel, nobody can. You either messed up when you were "installing all
new software" or your computer is infected or there's more to the story
than we know.

In Safe Mode after logging on as the Administrator (note that there is
no "s" at the end of the word) open the Security permissions on
C:\Windows and try to give Authenticated Users full control on "This
folder, subfolders and files". Then 'OK' your way back to the desktop
and try again to open the User Accounts control panel.

 

[John Wunderlich]

I did as you suggested but after signing in as the built-in
administrator I was not allowed to open the Users option in the
control panel. Access was denied. Anything more I can do?
Thanks.

It sounds like you have an access / security problem.

You might try to see if you can restore to a point before you changed
permissiors.
Boot to Safe Mode
Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->System Restore

If this doesn't work, hold your breath and try this:
"How do I restore security settings to the default settings?"
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313222>

HTH,
John