Odd problem with user accounts

[Jim Rarey]

OK, having a odd problem that doesn't make any sense to me,
hoping someone may be able to shed some light on it.
The PC:
A brand new Dell Optiplex-can't remember model #
The OS-
Windows XP Professional
A few more details-
This PC is part of a power plant simulator system which
allows us to conduct training for our operators when the
plant is shutdown. The system was
designed/configured/delivered by an outside contractor, so
all we had to do was hook everything up and run with it.
This problem applies to all the PC's in the simulator
system (8 total, a server and 7 clients)

The Problem-
Currently all the PC's have a single user logon available,
aptly named "Administrator" (password protected). Since we
obviously don't want our operators logging in as
Administrators all the time, we would like to setup a
limited access account that will let them run the
simulator, but not install programs, play games, etc. While
logged in as Administrator, I went to the User Accounts
applet in Control Panel, and selected "Create a new
account"; I named the account "Operator" and clicked "Next"
the PC then told me that I had to make this account an
administrator-level account, as there had to be at least
one such account on the computer. Is it just me, or does it
seem odd that it would not recognize it's own
"Administrator" account as being the administrator-level
account?
I am failing to understand why it is, in essence, telling
me I have to have 2 admin-level accounts before I can setup
a limited access account. Anyone have any ideas?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated,
Jim Rarey
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Guest]

The easiest way to make new users accounts is right click the my computer icon assuming its on the desktop, click manage, click on local users and groups, then click on the user folder

Now right click in the empty white area on the right, just below the user accounts

By default accounts made this way are a member of the users group and this does what you desire. That is assuming your application has no special requirements for an admin account

I attached a link to the MS website which goes into detail on user accounts. Feel free to write me if you need anymore assistance on this issue

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/directory/worldwide/en-gb/accounts.as

Robert