limited user accounts revert to "unknown account type" why?

[Dave]

Hi,
I replaced an older XP Pro which hadn't been updated for ages with a new
copy (Educational version as that computer is now for the kid's study
use). It all seemed to go OK, but now all the limited user accounts
automatically revert to "unknown account type" which will not let
software run.

I can set the accounts as "administrator" accounts and they work fine,
but revert back to "unknown type" if try to reset then to "limited user".
Setting the user accounts as "power users" does not work either- they
get dropped out of that group.

I would rather only I had administrator access, and that the Internet
was not accessed from administrator accounts.

I would also like to sort out what the problem is- it may by a symptom
of something worse.

Does anybody know what the cause might be, and how I can fix it?

Thanks
Dave

 

[Guest]

This is just another question about Administrator accounts. Is there a
difference between signing on a user with Administrative status and signing
on as Administrator? I ask because my Accounts Page there are to Users: My
ID and another account called Administrator, and I can't seem to switch to
just administrator.

Thank you
Harriet Hall

Good luck, Dave

 

[Dave]

Hi Harriet,
Limited User is an account type.

If you go to control panel/user accounts you will get a list of accounts
and the type. If you are in an administrator account you can add,
delete and modify accounts. Limited users cannot, and cannot install
software or do a lot of potentially dangerous things.

The account called "Administrator" is a default account which is always
present. It is often disabled. If you boot in "Safe mode", it should
become available.

Having it only for emergency use makes it harder for malicious software
to attack it, or so I am told.

I hope this helps.
My problem is that Windows has developed a mind(?) of its own and ill
not keep the settings on user accounts, so I have to keep them as
administrators. If you saw their screens, you would know why we have an
account each! Now the kids are discovering they can install things
without asking, and I see a lot of hassles coming!
Dave