Insufficient Privileges?

[Jack440]

I'm running WXP-Professional w/SP-3 on an HP notebook. I set-up two accounts,
one for my wife and one for me, both with 'administrator' privilege. This
morning when I signed-on, my desktop was changed, my start menu was almost
blank, and almost every program I try to run gives me an error message that I
lack sufficient privilege.
Using my wife's account, I verified (supposedly) that my account still is an
'administrator' account. My major grief is that I cannot access my E-mail in
Outlook.
Any suggestions, please?
Thanks!

 

[Jim]

I'm running WXP-Professional w/SP-3 on an HP notebook. I set-up two
accounts,
one for my wife and one for me, both with 'administrator' privilege. This
morning when I signed-on, my desktop was changed, my start menu was
almost
blank, and almost every program I try to run gives me an error message
that I
lack sufficient privilege.
Using my wife's account, I verified (supposedly) that my account still is
an
'administrator' account. My major grief is that I cannot access my E-mail
in
Outlook.
Any suggestions, please?
Thanks!

What is the malware state of the computer? Unexplained behavior such as
this is can be caused by malware.
And, don't use accounts which are members of the administrators group for
normal operations. All malware needs to do is break into one of the
accounts to perform their mischief.

A way to recover would be to create another account for yourself (after you
have done thorough malware checks). Then you take ownership of the files in
the old account, and move the files you need to your new account.

Jim

 

[Jack440]

Jim,
Thanks for your reply.
I'm running the McAfee suite scheduled to do daily scans, so malware is
unlikely. I've checked permissions for all the folders, using the generic
Administrator account, and I have full rights, as does the system. I just
can't run any program from my account.
I guess I'll have to follow the new account suggestion. Can you give a
relative newby a quick step-by-step on "taking ownership of the files in
the old account, and move the files you need to your new account."?
Thanks agin,
Jack440


:

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

There are many articles on this.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...cd=1&q=Insufficient+Privileges+mcafee&spell=1

Good luck and keep us posted. )

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Jim]

Jim,
Thanks for your reply.
I'm running the McAfee suite scheduled to do daily scans, so malware is
unlikely. I've checked permissions for all the folders, using the generic
Administrator account, and I have full rights, as does the system. I just
can't run any program from my account.
I guess I'll have to follow the new account suggestion. Can you give a
relative newby a quick step-by-step on "taking ownership of the files in
the old account, and move the files you need to your new account."?
Thanks agin,
Jack440


:

Consult the Help & Support article "How to take ownership of files and
folders" for instructions.
I will describe how to do this on Windows XP Pro. Those using Windows XP
Home will need to go to Safe Mode first.
On the Control Panel, press "Folder Options".
In the folder options panel, disable simple file sharing.
Now go to the folder in Documents and Settings which starts the folder tree
for the old account.
Access "Properties"
Access the "Security Tab"
If your new account is not listed, add it.
Now give this account "Full Control".
Ensure that the new setting is propagated down the folder tree to all files
and folders.
When this task completes, move the files that you want to your new account.

I would wait for some time before deleting anything.

Jim
Jim