system restore or other fix?

[Guest]

Help, won't go into details, but I created a new user in the User Accounts,
shen I did it 'wiped out' my Administrator user and each times wants to log
on as the new user - meaning my desktop is different and all of my files are
gone. When I go into User Accounts, only the new one and Guest show -
Administrator doesn't (and when I try to rename the new one, it says
Administrator already exists!!). Can system restore help - but when I right
click on My computer and go to system restore, all I get is a slider and
decreasing the amount of disc space.

 

[Jerry]

Can you sign in as Administrator? Boot normally, at the Windows log-in
screen do a Ctrl-Alt-Del twice and then log-in as Administrator. You can
then delete the troublesome account.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Help, won't go into details, but I created a new user in the User Accounts,
shen I did it 'wiped out' my Administrator user and each times wants to log
on as the new user - meaning my desktop is different and all of my files are
gone. When I go into User Accounts, only the new one and Guest show -
Administrator doesn't (and when I try to rename the new one, it says
Administrator already exists!!). Can system restore help - but when I right
click on My computer and go to system restore, all I get is a slider and
decreasing the amount of disc space.

As you've discovered, once any additional administrative user
accounts have been created, the built-in 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.

The built-in Administrator account really was never intended to be
used for day-to-day normal use. The standard security practice is to
rename the account, set a strong password on it, and use it only to
create another account for regular use, reserving the Administrator
account as a "back door" in case something corrupts your regular account(s).

A wiser course of action would be to create another user account
for your daily use (as you've done), and copy desired the files and
settings from the Administrator account to this newly created user profile.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell

 

[NewScience]

First determine if your other user account is truly gone. Check:

C:\Documents and Settings\[MISSING USER ACCOUNT]

and see if the folder is there. If it is, the account has just been hidden
or disabled.

Use Windows TweakUI XP, and ensure that the user account is checked under
the Logon option.
You should see each account that can be accessed for your PC on the Welcome
Screen.
If the account is there but unchecked, check it.