Setting an Administrator password

[MIke]

I bought a new computer with XP. When I turn it on it
gives me a welcome screen with the name User. Does this
mean that they did not set an administator password at
all? Is User the administrator or is there another
administrator? I would like to go to a log in approach
and I don't know if they gave User a password or not. I
have no other accounts on the machine (stand alone right
now but soon to be part of a workgroup)and don't want to
set them up until I better know what I am doing. If I
just set up another account and give it a password will
that force a login screen. Is there aconcept of a blank
password.

Sorry for the dumb questions. This is my first time
setting up XP.

 

[Torgeir Bakken (MVP)]

I bought a new computer with XP. When I turn it on it
gives me a welcome screen with the name User. Does this
mean that they did not set an administator password at
all? Is User the administrator or is there another
administrator? I would like to go to a log in approach
and I don't know if they gave User a password or not. I
have no other accounts on the machine (stand alone right
now but soon to be part of a workgroup)and don't want to
set them up until I better know what I am doing. If I
just set up another account and give it a password will
that force a login screen. Is there aconcept of a blank
password.

Hi

Yes, there is another "hidden" user with the name Administrator,
most likely with a blank password.

More here:

How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your Password
Expires
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;321305


--
torgeir
Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of the 1328 page
Scripting Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/scriptcenter/default.mspx

 

[MIke]

I think I used the wrong term. I think it goes tot he
Friendly screen and then immediately to a desktop. I do
not get the Welcome Logon screen.