lost administrator user account

  • Thread starter Thread starter tkirk3
  • Start date Start date
T

tkirk3

I had a single user account which (I thought) did not
have a password for Windows XP. The other day I added a
new user account with a password. I logged on with the
new user account and was allowed limited access because
the original account was the adminstrative account
(apparently). Now I cannot log in with the original
account. The original account is completely gone. I
tried restoring to a previous logon but it will not allow
me access even at the dos prompt. Dell support was no
help. I tried to reinstall windows XP, both repair and
total reinstall but the repair did not restore the
account and the total reinstall would not work. I do
have back-up of my data files so I could format the
entire hard drive but would prefer not to do so. Can
anyone help? Thanks.
 
Original Administrator Account Does Not Appear During Friendly Logon Method
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;281992&Product=winxp

Enable Administrator account on Welcome Screen
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_admin_ok.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Doug Knox]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| I had a single user account which (I thought) did not
| have a password for Windows XP. The other day I added a
| new user account with a password. I logged on with the
| new user account and was allowed limited access because
| the original account was the adminstrative account
| (apparently). Now I cannot log in with the original
| account. The original account is completely gone. I
| tried restoring to a previous logon but it will not allow
| me access even at the dos prompt. Dell support was no
| help. I tried to reinstall windows XP, both repair and
| total reinstall but the repair did not restore the
| account and the total reinstall would not work. I do
| have back-up of my data files so I could format the
| entire hard drive but would prefer not to do so. Can
| anyone help? Thanks.
 
Greetings --

As you've learned, once any additional user accounts have been
created, the Administrator account will no longer be displayed on the
Welcome Screen. This is a default security feature. By design, the
only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to
reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at
the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login dialog box.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
----- (e-mail address removed) wrote: -----

I had a single user account which (I thought) did not
have a password for Windows XP. The other day I added a
new user account with a password. I logged on with the
new user account and was allowed limited access because
the original account was the adminstrative account
(apparently). Now I cannot log in with the original
account. The original account is completely gone. I
tried restoring to a previous logon but it will not allow
me access even at the dos prompt. Dell support was no
help. I tried to reinstall windows XP, both repair and
total reinstall but the repair did not restore the
account and the total reinstall would not work. I do
have back-up of my data files so I could format the
entire hard drive but would prefer not to do so. Can
anyone help? Thanks.
 
----- valeria wrote: ----



----- (e-mail address removed) wrote: ----

I had a single user account which (I thought) did not
have a password for Windows XP. The other day I added a
new user account with a password. I logged on with the
new user account and was allowed limited access because
the original account was the adminstrative account
(apparently). Now I cannot log in with the original
account. The original account is completely gone. I
tried restoring to a previous logon but it will not allow
me access even at the dos prompt. Dell support was no
help. I tried to reinstall windows XP, both repair and
total reinstall but the repair did not restore the
account and the total reinstall would not work. I do
have back-up of my data files so I could format the
entire hard drive but would prefer not to do so. Can
anyone help? Thanks
 
I think I'm having the same problem. Had only one
account - factory installed administrator. Created first
user account & adminstrator disappeared along with all my
documents, favorites, etc. Was able to do system restore
& get administrator acct back, but want to create a user
account without losing the administrator & all related
data. Any help appreciated!!!!
 
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