new windows account created by itself

[Guest]

Hello,

I just encountered a strange thing. When i booted up, XP logged on as
administrator rather than my usual user name and under the active accounts
on the computer my user account has been replaced by "asp.net" a password
protected limited account.

Is this a virus ?
Can someone lead a way through the darkness,how canI get my account back ?

TIA.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You probably recently installed .Net framework.
That is a normal account:
http://mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/aspdot.php

This account does not replace your account.
See if you can scroll down to your account.

 

[Guest]

Hi Jupiter. I didn't just install .net framework. Haven't installed anything
for that matter. My account has gone- it's not in control panel/user
accounts. However my files under my 'disappeared' account name are still
here. ??

 

[Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]]

The ASP.NET account is normal after the .NET Framework is installed. This
may have been done via Windows Updates if you didn't install it explicitly.

For XP Pro: Press CTRL-ALT-DEL twice at the Welcome Screen, with no other
users logged on. You'll get the older logon dialog. Enter Administrator
and any password that you have set for that account.

To enable the Administrator account on the new Windows XP logon screen in
Windows XP Pro, visit my web site, www.dougknox.com and go to the Windows XP
Utilities section. Follow the link for Enable Administrator Account ......

This small VB application will make the registry change necessary for the
Administrator account to be available on the Welcome Screen. If you prefer
to do it manually, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList\

Note: There is a space between Windows and NT in the above Key.

Add the Administrator account if necessary and/or change the Administrator
value to 1

For XP Home, you can only log into the built in Administrator account in
Safe Mode, so the fixes above will be of little use.

Note: It is an extremely BAD IDEA to use the Administrator account for day
to day use. As you've seen, if you lose access to it, you're pretty well
hosed. Create another Administrator level account and use that, instead.
Leave the built-in Administrator account for emergencies.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com

 

[Guest]

As you've seen, if you lose access to it, you're pretty well
hosed.

true (sadly)

Create another Administrator level account and use that, instead.
Leave the built-in Administrator account for emergencies.

Will do as you suggest, post clean install.

thankyou !

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You should not have to perform a Clean Installation.
Are you able to create another account from User Accounts in the
Control Panel?
If so, you can Take Ownership, if necessary, to regain access to your
files:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org