Windows XP Limited Account Problems

[Eric]

Hey. I've had my computer for roughly a year now (wow)
and XP came installed on my PC. However, my problem isn't
about how it was installed, but rather, a fault within my
XP system. I have another computer. I bought Windows XP
for it after I saw how great it was on this PC. Anyway,
this current PC (with XP preinstalled) has alot of
problems when setting accounts to Limited. I run
WindowBlinds (I'm a graphic freak). Unfortuantly, when I
run an account with a Limited Account setting, I can't
get the themes (right click> appearances) to apply. It
gives me the classic XP skin, and a plain blue
background.This is a huge risk for me, because I have
applications and files I don't want my other users to
see. On my other PC (the one I installed XP on myself),
this problem never occurs with WindowBlinds. It runs
effortlessly. Please help me. Thanks.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

What you say makes sense, what you don't take into account however is that
they are still two different computers. This particular application has
been known to cause issues. My guess is, it may be having a conflict with
the graphics driver on the other computer. Your best bet for an issue such
as this would be to ask application's tech support.

 

[Guest]

So you think it's a problem with my nVidia settings? It
could be because my computer (the one with the problem)
was created with a ProSavage card, but I quickly upgraded
to a nVidia MX 440, because ProSavage doesn't run games
as new as a computer of my caliber should be able to run.
Who should I contact? Stardock (creators of WindowBlinds)
nVidia, or keep asking you guys, because even if I set my
apperance to a default Windows XP theme, the wallpaper
still won't show up, the classic Windows theme is in
place, and worst of all, the first column of the (modern)
startbar is blank. I think it might be because I didnt
set any quick start programs in the Start panel, but when
I set that account to administrator, all those programs
are copied from the master account.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

I'd contact Stardock but, to be sure, I'd remove WindowBlinds and see if the
problem goes away. If yes, that points directly to their application and
they would be the people to contact.

If it doesn't go away, don't be too quick to discount WindowBlinds as the
culprit as their still may be remnants of the application lying around as
the source of the issue. Nonetheless, if removing it resolves the issue,
you most certainly have evidence of a cause and effect relationship.

 

[Guest]

It's not the problem. It's been like this since I bought
the PC last year. Unless I set my second account (slave)
to COmputer Administrator I can't change the PC theme,
even before I downloaded WindowBlinds. It must be a fault
in the limited account's permission, maybe I have a
messed up XP.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

I don't think you messed up anything. From what you just said, it must be
the Limited Account. If this is XP Home Edition, you have far less latitude
on setting permissions as well which only complicates the issue more.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, I'm running XP Home Edition. Is there anyway I can
set Limited Account's permissions on what it can and
can't do? I like to run my other account as some what of
a slave, so I can do all my coding, and designing,
without the hassle of having all my master accounts
programs pop up, like my mail, or norton, and since this
computer is in the facinity of 2 nosey roomates, I'd
really like to have my account be the only master one
(yes it's passworded) and there's a limited one, so they
can surf the web and etc, but not have the authority to
mess my PC up.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

You're pretty limited on Home Edition but you can do some additional
granting and/or blocking of permissions by going into Safe Mode. Boot the
System, start tapping F8, when the menu appears, select Safe Mode and press
enter.

Then, open Windows Explorer, go Tools, select folder options, go to the View
tab, scroll to the bottom of the list, remove the check from "Use Simple
File Sharing" and click apply and ok.

Then right click a folder, select the Security tab and you can set
permissions on files and folders.

That's about as deep as you can go in that regard. XP Pro has an added
module called the "Group Policy Editor" which gives a great deal more
flexibility but it is not a part of XP Home and cannot be added to it.