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General discussion

XP user account

Dec 5, 2003 2:54AM PST

I am the only user on my XP Home Edition machine. I have noticed several of you folks saying to create a user account as well as the automatic administrator
account. Why? Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Re:XP user account. More than ONE please.
Dec 5, 2003 3:08AM PST

XP may lock a person out if they have ONE account and the PROFILE is corrupted. These people usually end up at a shop where a tech will reinstall the OS (and wipe out the user's files.)

This is just ONE scenario that you cna avoid by having a spare administrator account.

It's your machine and your choice on the matter.

Bob

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Re:Re:XP user account. More than ONE please.
Dec 5, 2003 4:00AM PST

Makes sense...Thanks, Bob

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Re:Re:XP user account. More than ONE please.
Dec 5, 2003 5:18AM PST

My User Account has me as "Computer Administrator" and a "Guest" account presently set to "off". If this is set to "on" will it satisfy this need?

If not what or how do I create a 2nd administrator account?

TIA

Glenn

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Sorry, but answered my own simple question :(
Dec 5, 2003 5:56AM PST

After opening User Accounts in the Control Panel just follow the wizard for setting up a new account. I was reluctant to take the last step but when taken it gave the option to create Computer Administrator or Limited... that was my question answered.

Sorry!

Glenn

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But Glenn...
Dec 5, 2003 7:09AM PST

There is a user account named: Administrator which is hidden.
This is different from a user account that has Computer Administrator privileges.

The Administrator account is only accessible by the following:

1. For XP Pro: Ctrl+Alt+Delete on the Welcome Screen.
Then type: Administrator and the password and it will load this Administrator desktop which if it's the first time will have the "Bliss" wallpaper.

2. For Home: get into Safe Mode and access the Administraotr account.

3. Use TweakUI to display the Administrator account on the Welcome screen.

Check the above to see if you have this account in tact.

Happy

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Re:But David... you are right!
Dec 5, 2003 9:20AM PST

I have been terribly confused by the account named "Administrator" and the "Computer Administrator". Thanks for enlightening me. In Item 2 are you referring to XP Home Edition or for home systems? I am using XP Pro on my home computer that is not networked.

This has bugged me for some time and I continually see you and others recommending a second Administrator as a backup in the event the Administrator Account becomes corrupt... that is my objective to avoid a lockout.

So now I will delete the second Computer Administrator that I set up today and follow your instructions.

Glenn Happy

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The second item is for XP Home..
Dec 5, 2003 9:58AM PST

As long as you have the Administrator account then there is no need to have two users with Computer Administrator privileges since these accounts cannot be used to access the Recovery Console.

You need the Administrator account to get into the Recovery Console.

Try booting into the Recovery Console.
It's worth getting use to it.