Windows XP Professional: Admin Disabled

[magical_one]

I purchased a laptop from a person who bought it 2 years ago from a local
Circuit City and he has purchased a new one for himself. I have tried to
establish my own account on the system so that I could then delete or disable
his account. However, after creating the new account for myself, and
disabling his, it will now not allow me to delete his account, and mine is
set up as limited. This of course means that I do not have full rights to
use some of the programs or change anything in regards to the system. (ie.
I have attempted to log on to an installed Juno account but it will not allow
me to do so) I have tried to able his account again but now it generates an
error and will not allow me. I have also tried to restore the entire system
as it was when purchased, but it will not allow me to do so since I do not
have administrator rights. It is possible that he was established as the
Administrator but on a home network. Therefore, I am assuming now that I set
up my account and I am not on his network, this may be the problem.

Can you please provide guidance on how I can restore the laptop or any other
way I can correct the problem say that I will be able to use it? I basically
just need to get back to admin rights so that I can work on it and use
various programs.

I greatly anticipate your reply.

Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.

Goin nuts here trying to figure it out!

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Did you get the OS cd's from the original owner ?? I would definitely do a
clean install and start over on the computer - you don't know what
viruses/malware/spyware are on it.

GS

 

[peter]

You did not say name of laptop......usually when the system is rebooted and
before XP starts there is a series of F? to push in order to activate the
recovery partition which would format and reinstall the OS as well as
whatever programs came with the purchase.A manual would have this info so
would a quick search of the laptops manufacturer's website.
peter

 

[JS]

Your best bet is to do a 'Clean Install' of Windows XP. You never know what
the previous user left on that laptop.
This assumes that you have all the media (CDs) that came with the laptop.
Note that some manufactures may not provide a Windows XP install CD but have
a hidden recovery partition, in which case you need to read the
documentation.
The Windows Key Code sticker should be on the bottom of the laptop (you will
need this to do the install).
Also make certain you have a 'Drivers' CD, if not go to the manufacturer's
web site and download all the drivers (Video, Sound, Network, Etc.). If your
laptop came with a Windows XP CD then you can perform a clean install per
the info provided at the last part of this post.

Before you do the 'Clean Install' download and install the following
utility:
Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It does a good job of providing a wealth of information, including installed
software and hardware configuration.
You may need to log in with an Administrator account in order to install
Belarc, so here is how you can do that using Windows as it currently
installed on your laptop:

For XP Pro users:
You do not need to go into Safe Mode.
At the Welcome Screen, do/press the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys twice to display the
Windows logon box.
Type in "Administrator" (without the quotes) and 'if' you assigned a
password when you set up Windows, then enter it. (Note: by default the
password is blank, no password need be entered).
Create a new Admin account (just to be on the safe side) and then install
and run Belarc Advisor.

Now if you choose to do that clean install of Windows XP, here's how!!!
How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP:
Change the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Then see below:
From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

Again note: Make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard,
video
card, sound card, Etc.

If you a doing a Clean Install on an existing PC that has XP already
Installed:
Verify your CD or Sticker Key code matches what Belarc Advisor reports for
your existing install.
Note: OEM Windows Installs usually come with a sticker on the PC or laptop
and may not match the factory installed key reported by Belarc Advisor, this
is normal as the factory uses their own internal key code,
you need to use the code on the sticker.

JS

 

[magical_one]

Hi JS,

The laptop didn't come with a CD.

It's a Toshiba, and oddly enough, the sticker says that it's Windows XP Home
but when you go into the system info, it says Professional with service pack
2. He didn't give me a book or anything, just the wall adapter, case, and
lap top. I guess he isn't very organized and doesn't have a clue where
anything else is. I do know that I have a desktop with Windows XP Media
Edition and it also did not come with a disk though.

The Belarc thing wouldn't install after saving to my desktop.

Is there any way to restore the PC when first turning it on (a special key
or something?) so that it is back to the way it was when the guy first bought
it? I have no idea what type of drives or anything that I would need, and
have no idea what to do to be quite honest. I'm pretty good with computers
but not only their programs, not the technical stuff with the computer itself.

I greatly anticipate a reply.

Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[JS]

I would start by going to Toshiba's web site and see if you can find a
download version of the owners manual for your make and model.
Question: Can you log on using the hidden 'Administrator' account using the
instructions I provided?

JS

 

[magical_one]

Alright, I'll try Toshiba's site.

No, when I key in Administrator and try to enter without a password it says
that the password is invalid. I have no idea what the password would have
been if there was one assigned.

I've nearly pulled all of my hair out. HAHA

 

[JS]

I don't know if you found anything of value on Toshiba's web site, however
you can give them a call and see if they will provide you with a 'Restore'
CD free of charge or at a minimal price.

JS

 

[neil]

The password could just be blank, i.e. don't type anything in and click OK.
Neil

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I purchased a laptop from a person who bought it 2 years ago from a local
Circuit City and he has purchased a new one for himself. I have tried to
establish my own account on the system so that I could then delete or disable
his account. However, after creating the new account for myself, and
disabling his, it will now not allow me to delete his account, and mine is
set up as limited. This of course means that I do not have full rights to
use some of the programs or change anything in regards to the system. (ie.
I have attempted to log on to an installed Juno account but it will not allow
me to do so) I have tried to able his account again but now it generates an
error and will not allow me. I have also tried to restore the entire system
as it was when purchased, but it will not allow me to do so since I do not
have administrator rights. It is possible that he was established as the
Administrator but on a home network. Therefore, I am assuming now that I set
up my account and I am not on his network, this may be the problem.

Can you please provide guidance on how I can restore the laptop or any other
way I can correct the problem say that I will be able to use it? I basically
just need to get back to admin rights so that I can work on it and use
various programs.

I greatly anticipate your reply.

Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.

Goin nuts here trying to figure it out!

It's a moot point. With second-hand computers, perhaps even if
acquired from a family member or friend, but especially if acquired from
a stranger, your only sensible course of action would definitely be to
format the hard drive(s) and start fresh. You don't want to get in
trouble because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with
kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner
downloaded/installed viruses or other malware.


--

Bruce Chambers

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