System Administrator Not Available

[Guest]

I recently added a user account, made it a system administrator, changed the
original administrator account to a "limited" user acct., then restarted the
computer. The new user acct. does not show up on the user acct screen, and
now, since the other acct was chgd to a limited user, I cannot even get into
any place where changes or help menus can be accessed. Help! It seems I am
"dead in the water" here.

R

 

[Guest]

Are you using XP Professional or Home Edition? The behavior of the built-in
Administrator account varies on these two versions.

Also, did you change *THE* Administrator to a limited user, or just the
previous "Administrator-level" account?


_____________________
Shawn

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Depends on what version of XP you have.

The Administrator account exists in Windows XP Home Edition, but it does not
typically appear on the Welcome logon screen. In Windows XP Home Edition
the Administrator account is not displayed in User Accounts unless the
computer is in Safe mode. You have to boot into Safe Mode to access the
Administrator account in User Accounts.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | User Accounts

To start the computer in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

Also see this...
Error Message: Unable to Log You on Because of an Account Restriction
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290109

[[On a Windows XP Professional-based computer that is a member of a
workgroup, you have the option of using the friendly logon interface as
opposed to the classic Windows logon interface. If you add a second user
that has administrative privileges, the built-in Administrator account does
not appear during the friendly logon method.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem so that you can access the original Administrator
account:
1. Press the CTRL+ALT+DELETE key combination twice during the friendly logon
interface to use the conventional Windows 2000 logon interface.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode, or log on remotely by using Remote
Desktop and the Autologon feature of the Remote Desktop Client. ]]
from...
Original Administrator Account Does Not Appear During Friendly Logon Method
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281992

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[rosebudz548]

Hi, guys! Thanks for replying with the ideas. I do have Home Edition.
I have attempted the instruction re: starting in safe mode, but,
unfortunately, the instructions were for Professional Edition. It did
not work to get me into the safe mode. I really need to find this
administrator so I can use this computer again. Any more ideas?

Rose

Depends on what version of XP you have.

The Administrator account exists in Windows XP Home Edition, but it does not
typically appear on the Welcome logon screen. In Windows XP Home Edition
the Administrator account is not displayed in User Accounts unless the
computer is in Safe mode. You have to boot into Safe Mode to access the
Administrator account in User Accounts.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | User Accounts

To start the computer in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

Also see this...
Error Message: Unable to Log You on Because of an Account Restriction
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290109

[[On a Windows XP Professional-based computer that is a member of a
workgroup, you have the option of using the friendly logon interface as
opposed to the classic Windows logon interface. If you add a second user
that has administrative privileges, the built-in Administrator account does
not appear during the friendly logon method.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem so that you can access the original Administrator
account:
1. Press the CTRL+ALT+DELETE key combination twice during the friendly logon
interface to use the conventional Windows 2000 logon interface.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode, or log on remotely by using Remote
Desktop and the Autologon feature of the Remote Desktop Client. ]]
from...
Original Administrator Account Does Not Appear During Friendly Logon Method
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281992

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I recently added a user account, made it a system administrator, changed
the original administrator account to a "limited" user acct., then
restarted the computer. The new user acct. does not show up on the user
acct screen, and now, since the other acct was chgd to a limited user, I
cannot even get into any place where changes or help menus can be
accessed. Help! It seems I am "dead in the water" here.

R

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Rose,

This should work for any version of XP to get into Safe Mode.

To start the computer in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

If for some reason the F8 method does not work, and this can happen, see
this for the System Configuration Tool Method.

Using the System Configuration Tool Method
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

Some machines use the F8 key to get into the BIOS and the F8 method does not
work to get into Safe Mode. There other reasons also, but that doesn't
matter now.

1. Click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and then click Restart.
2. After the computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST), press F8, and
then click Safe mode

NOTE: If you have difficulty getting to the Safe mode menu command, press F8
repeatedly after you turn on the computer.

NOTE: If F8 does not work, use the System Configuration Tool Method to
access Safe Mode.

3. Log on as an Administrator, or with another account that has
Administrator permissions.
4. Click Start, click Settings, click Control Panel, and then click User
Accounts.
5. Click the Administrator icon.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Hi, guys! Thanks for replying with the ideas. I do have Home Edition.
I have attempted the instruction re: starting in safe mode, but,
unfortunately, the instructions were for Professional Edition. It did
not work to get me into the safe mode. I really need to find this
administrator so I can use this computer again. Any more ideas?

Rose

Depends on what version of XP you have.

The Administrator account exists in Windows XP Home Edition, but it does
not typically appear on the Welcome logon screen. In Windows XP Home
Edition the Administrator account is not displayed in User Accounts
unless the computer is in Safe mode. You have to boot into Safe Mode to
access the Administrator account in User Accounts.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | User Accounts

To start the computer in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

Also see this...
Error Message: Unable to Log You on Because of an Account Restriction
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290109

[[On a Windows XP Professional-based computer that is a member of a
workgroup, you have the option of using the friendly logon interface as
opposed to the classic Windows logon interface. If you add a second user
that has administrative privileges, the built-in Administrator account
does not appear during the friendly logon method.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem so that you can access the original Administrator
account:
1. Press the CTRL+ALT+DELETE key combination twice during the friendly
logon interface to use the conventional Windows 2000 logon interface.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode, or log on remotely by using Remote
Desktop and the Autologon feature of the Remote Desktop Client. ]]
from...
Original Administrator Account Does Not Appear During Friendly Logon
Method http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281992

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I recently added a user account, made it a system administrator, changed
the original administrator account to a "limited" user acct., then
restarted the computer. The new user acct. does not show up on the user
acct screen, and now, since the other acct was chgd to a limited user, I
cannot even get into any place where changes or help menus can be
accessed. Help! It seems I am "dead in the water" here.

R

 

[rosebudz548]

Thanks, Wes. I got it! Had to continuously hit F8 until it went into
safe mode. Added another s.a., then restarted and was able to access
all user accounts. Turns out, one needs to have two s.a.'s to make it
all work. Go figure!

Rose

Rose,

This should work for any version of XP to get into Safe Mode.

To start the computer in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

If for some reason the F8 method does not work, and this can happen, see
this for the System Configuration Tool Method.

Using the System Configuration Tool Method
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

Some machines use the F8 key to get into the BIOS and the F8 method does not
work to get into Safe Mode. There other reasons also, but that doesn't
matter now.

1. Click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and then click Restart.
2. After the computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST), press F8, and
then click Safe mode

NOTE: If you have difficulty getting to the Safe mode menu command, press F8
repeatedly after you turn on the computer.

NOTE: If F8 does not work, use the System Configuration Tool Method to
access Safe Mode.

3. Log on as an Administrator, or with another account that has
Administrator permissions.
4. Click Start, click Settings, click Control Panel, and then click User
Accounts.
5. Click the Administrator icon.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Hi, guys! Thanks for replying with the ideas. I do have Home Edition.
I have attempted the instruction re: starting in safe mode, but,
unfortunately, the instructions were for Professional Edition. It did
not work to get me into the safe mode. I really need to find this
administrator so I can use this computer again. Any more ideas?

Rose

Depends on what version of XP you have.

The Administrator account exists in Windows XP Home Edition, but it does
not typically appear on the Welcome logon screen. In Windows XP Home
Edition the Administrator account is not displayed in User Accounts
unless the computer is in Safe mode. You have to boot into Safe Mode to
access the Administrator account in User Accounts.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | User Accounts

To start the computer in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

Also see this...
Error Message: Unable to Log You on Because of an Account Restriction
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290109

[[On a Windows XP Professional-based computer that is a member of a
workgroup, you have the option of using the friendly logon interface as
opposed to the classic Windows logon interface. If you add a second user
that has administrative privileges, the built-in Administrator account
does not appear during the friendly logon method.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem so that you can access the original Administrator
account:
1. Press the CTRL+ALT+DELETE key combination twice during the friendly
logon interface to use the conventional Windows 2000 logon interface.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode, or log on remotely by using Remote
Desktop and the Autologon feature of the Remote Desktop Client. ]]
from...
Original Administrator Account Does Not Appear During Friendly Logon
Method http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281992

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Rosebud <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I recently added a user account, made it a system administrator, changed
the original administrator account to a "limited" user acct., then
restarted the computer. The new user acct. does not show up on the user
acct screen, and now, since the other acct was chgd to a limited user, I
cannot even get into any place where changes or help menus can be
accessed. Help! It seems I am "dead in the water" here.

R

 

[Wesley Vogel]

"continuously hit F8", that's the ticket!

Glad you got it worked out, Rose.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks, Wes. I got it! Had to continuously hit F8 until it went into
safe mode. Added another s.a., then restarted and was able to access
all user accounts. Turns out, one needs to have two s.a.'s to make it
all work. Go figure!

Rose

Rose,

This should work for any version of XP to get into Safe Mode.

To start the computer in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

If for some reason the F8 method does not work, and this can happen, see
this for the System Configuration Tool Method.

Using the System Configuration Tool Method
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

Some machines use the F8 key to get into the BIOS and the F8 method does
not work to get into Safe Mode. There other reasons also, but that
doesn't matter now.

1. Click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and then click Restart.
2. After the computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST), press F8,
and then click Safe mode

NOTE: If you have difficulty getting to the Safe mode menu command,
press F8 repeatedly after you turn on the computer.

NOTE: If F8 does not work, use the System Configuration Tool Method to
access Safe Mode.

3. Log on as an Administrator, or with another account that has
Administrator permissions.
4. Click Start, click Settings, click Control Panel, and then click User
Accounts.
5. Click the Administrator icon.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Hi, guys! Thanks for replying with the ideas. I do have Home Edition.
I have attempted the instruction re: starting in safe mode, but,
unfortunately, the instructions were for Professional Edition. It did
not work to get me into the safe mode. I really need to find this
administrator so I can use this computer again. Any more ideas?

Rose




Wesley Vogel wrote:
Depends on what version of XP you have.

The Administrator account exists in Windows XP Home Edition, but it
does not typically appear on the Welcome logon screen. In Windows XP
Home Edition the Administrator account is not displayed in User
Accounts unless the computer is in Safe mode. You have to boot into
Safe Mode to access the Administrator account in User Accounts.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | User Accounts

To start the computer in safe mode

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

Also see this...
Error Message: Unable to Log You on Because of an Account Restriction
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290109

[[On a Windows XP Professional-based computer that is a member of a
workgroup, you have the option of using the friendly logon interface as
opposed to the classic Windows logon interface. If you add a second
user that has administrative privileges, the built-in Administrator
account does not appear during the friendly logon method.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem so that you can access the original
Administrator account:
1. Press the CTRL+ALT+DELETE key combination twice during the friendly
logon interface to use the conventional Windows 2000 logon
interface.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode, or log on remotely by using
Remote Desktop and the Autologon feature of the Remote Desktop
Client. ]] from...
Original Administrator Account Does Not Appear During Friendly Logon
Method http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281992

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Rosebud <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I recently added a user account, made it a system administrator,
changed the original administrator account to a "limited" user acct.,
then restarted the computer. The new user acct. does not show up on
the user acct screen, and now, since the other acct was chgd to a
limited user, I cannot even get into any place where changes or help
menus can be accessed. Help! It seems I am "dead in the water" here.

R