Hidden Administrator

ohboy5251

Member
I have run the command prompt net user adminstrator \active:yes as an administrator and gotten the message that this command has been completed succuessfully, but when I log off or restart the system, the hidden login does not show up on elcome screen. I have enabled and disabled several time with the same result.

I am trying to access the hidden administrator to attemp to restore the missing BITS and Windows Update services which have disappeared.

I ran malware software and removed two virus problems, which started this whole mess.

Any other suggestions as to how to get the hidden administrator account to show up on the welcome screen?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
Thanks for the quick reply

I found this tutorial previously which is how I learned to enable the hidden administrator account. The problem is that after enabling and logging off or rebooting the account does not appear on the login screen. It only shows my reguar user account.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
See how it works in safe mode.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Richard,

Safe Mode did not yeild any different results with the net user command. Still no login for administrator on the welcome screen after it is enabled.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Richard, your help is greatly appreciated.

System Restore is the first thing that I tried. It was a bit strange in that there was only one restore point available and it was apparently after the event that corrupted the computer.

To recap my issues back to the beginning:

1. First saw that McAfee firewall was turned off and automatic virus checking was turned off. Was able to get Windows firewall turned on, but could not turn on or run a scan with McAffee, nor could I update the virus definitions.

2. Then checked Windows Update, which told me the service wasn't running.

3. Found that the Windows Update service and the BITS service were both missing in services.

4. Ran System Restore, but only had one restore point to choose, and problem still existed.

5. Downloaded Malwarebytes and discovered a couple of issues which it removed. Downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials which found another issue and was removed successfully. Reran both programs on full scan until there were no issues found with either program.

5. Ran sfc\scannow to try to repair and restore missing files. No luck

6. Tried to apply fixes that were available to restore BITS and Windows Update, but got "Access Denied" error when running as Administrator from my regular user account which has Administrator privleges.

7. Enabled Hidden Adminstrator to get to the elevated command prompt level, but have not been able to log on with that account as it will not show up on the windows welcome screen after enabling.

The computer is running programs and IE without any problems, but I have no virus protection, I can't run Windows Update, and these malware issues keep showing up every couple of days after my wife and daughter are on the machine.

I'm at the point that I think that installing an upgrade to Windows 7 would be my best solution, unless I can get to that elevated administrator level to run the fixes available.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
You do not need the hidden administrator to open an elevated command prompt, for both Seven and Vista this is what is needed.
Elevated Command Prompt - Windows 7 Forums
You do not have to go to Seven if you reinstall. If you have a product key I can get you back to Vista.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
I've tried all three of those methods and get c:\Windows\System32\ at the command prompt, but when I try to run the command to reinstall BITS:

sc create BITS binpath= "c:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs" start= delayed-auto

I get "Access Denied".

Also tried the following commands from the elevated command prompt to reinstall BITS and Windows Update which would then use the files from the most recently updated Service Pack:

%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 %windir%\inf\qmgr.inf

%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 %windir%\inf\au.inf

and get "Access Denied"

It's as if the all adminstrator rights on the computer have been removed.


I can backup my files and do a fresh install of Vista as I have a reinstall disk and a recovery partition on the computer. Was thinking about the upgrade to Windows 7 to keep from having to reinstall all of my other programs and applications and user accounts, etc. I ran the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and the only thing that was not compatible was my McAfee software, which would have to be reinstalled with the appropiate operating system.

I would certainly backup everything even if I do the upgrade to prepare for the worst. I don't know if the upgrade would solve my problems, may create more.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
An upgrade would solve all of your problems, if your problem is not due to hardware. May I suggest in lieu of your Anti Virus, which you pay for, you can use the Free Microsoft Security Essentials as I do. In addition use the free Malwarebytes for a once a week scan.
You do not want to do an upgrade, the results not usually as good as a clean install. If it were me, and I did it a few years ago. Use the upgrade Seven, it is cheaper and do a clean install. Yes, you have to reinstall your software, but you can backup your stuff.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version - Windows 7 Forums[2]=General Tips
After you have upgraded to seven, may I suggest that you join our Seven Forums, to learn and just have fun. I voluteer there, too.
Windows 7 Forums
If you have a Vista CD, you can do a repair install and your stuff and software will be saved.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance Maintenance
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Thanks for all your help Richard, you have been most kind to get involved with my issue. I have downloaded and installed Microsoft Essentials and Malwarebytes so I'm not planning on renewing my McAfee subscription.

I would like to leave this thread open a little while longer in case someone out there has any other ideas on a soultion.

Hope you have a great weekend.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
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