XP Home - Missing User Account?

[Vincent]

Does anyone have a solution for this problem. I was on a Windows XP
home edition computer, mucking around in the userpasswords2 management
console. I selected a limited user account from the list and then
selected properties. I didn't change anything, but after I rebooted
the computer, this account APPEARS to be inaccessible. It is no
longer listed under user accounts. However, I can still login using
this account if I bypass the welcome screen and manually enter the
user name and password. What in blazes happened? How can I get this
account to show up on the welcome screen again? I tried adding a new
account with the same name, but it tells me the account name has
already been used. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

-Vincent

 

[Guest]

I'm afraid this isn't an answer(!), just adding my name to the list of people
with this problem. I have exactly the same symptom but the missing account
was set up with administrator rights. Does the missing account show up when
you boot in Safe Mode and use the Administrator log-on? I'm just about to
check this on my PC.

Martin

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I'm afraid this isn't an answer(!), just adding my name to the list of
people
with this problem. I have exactly the same symptom but the missing account
was set up with administrator rights. Does the missing account show up
when
you boot in Safe Mode and use the Administrator log-on? I'm just about to
check this on my PC.

Martin

Download TweakUI, and in the Logon section select the account as being shown
on the welcome screen.

End of problem.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

HTH
-pk

 

[Guest]

Thanks for responding. However, I'd tried Tweak and the missing account
still doesn't show up. I've given up and set up another account, Matthew
instead of Matt, and transferred the data files to the new accounts My
Documents.

I'm assuming it's something hanging round in the registry. When I run
'control userpasswords2', Matthew's account Group shows up as
'Administrators; Users', whereas my own and Administrator just
'Administrator'? I think his new account shows up in User Accounts after a
Safe Mode boot, too, which is odd.

The only other thing is that I remember now trying to change Matt's account
to 'Standard user (Power Users Group)' then getting a message that this
wasn't available on XP Home before everything went 'pear shaped'.