Vista - Unable to make changes to parental controls

I am trying to make changes to parental controls. I get an error message
that reads: "Unable to make changes to parental controls settings. If this
problem persists, contact your system administrator."

I am an administrator on the computer. I have tried creating a new account
and making changes there and that did not work.

Its funny cause I am having the same problem with mine. But mine occurred
when I downloaded the Microsoft Family Safety and then deleted it because it
simply sucked. But when I tried to adjust the levels for the built in
Parental Controls I get the same response.
--
K. D. McCoy
In God We Trust, All Others Are Run Through NCIC


"Kirk L" wrote:

Kirk, please specify what changes you wanted to make on Parental Control,
and what changes on a new account .I might be able to help if you tell me.
"Kirk L" <Kirk L@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2E7AC5FF-BFF0-49EC-9030-076A67CD7D18@xxxxxx

Well it not even a matter of what specific things I am trying to change...
But even just to open up Parental Controls all together it would even allow
you to see the screen.
--
K. D. McCoy
In God We Trust, All Others Are Run Through NCIC


"jihchiang" wrote:

I have the exact same problem. Though I have done some digging and found
that the Parental Control service can't start. When I try to manually start
it, it tells me it can't start because a dependet sevice is using a different
log on account for authentication. I am stumped and would really like an
answer. It would be nice to be able to give my child access to the internet
through his own logon. I have not changed the authentication acounts at all.

DWilliamsamh

"jihchiang" wrote:

Kirk, it is hard to offer help without some details, most specifically :
At what point you found unable to continue ?
You couldn't open the Parental Control window ?
You got the window opened but couldn't make changes ?
If you care to elaborate, we might be able to help. Thank you.

My computer is 6 months old (Gateway), and up until recently I had parental
controls over my daughter's account. A few weeks ago, I began experiencing
the exact same issue as Joe. I even had the GEEK SQUAD come out and help,
but they were unable to figure it out. I get the exact same error as Joe:
"Unable to make changes to parental controls settings. If this problem
persists, contact your system administrator." I AM the System Admin and I
cannot set up my daughters account with a password any longer and use the
parental controls without getting the above mentioned error. She basically
has full access to the computer, websites etc. As long as I don’t add a
password and/or parental controls, it works. Basically the parental software
is useless for me. I have not downloaded anything that would have interfered
with the software, unless Vista downloaded a change and I am unaware of that
change.

"Kirk L" wrote:

Hi, Darlene. First, please check your own account. Does it say,a)" Administrator Password protected " Or, b) " Standard User " ?
If answer is a), please tell me how far did you go before you were stopped. Did you go as far as" Parental Controls * User Controls " window ? Please reply.

Hi Dave ... I am the admin on the computer with a protected password. I get
so far as clicking all the necessary buttons to put the parental control on,
time limits etc and when I hit "ok" or "apply" (I am not at that computer
right now to know which button it is), I get the standard "Unable to make
changes to parental controls settings. If this problem persists, contact your
system administrator." As long as I dont create a password for my daughters
account and put parental protection on her sign in name, theres no issues.
Soon as I try to add the parental control it doesnt work. Very frustrating,
considerinng for months it worked fine and was GREAT!! I have a feeling a
'upgrade' was made to the computer through Microsoft and its messed it up
since. I have no added nor deleted anything nor has my daughter to prevent
the parental controls from working. She has FULL access to the computer with
no time limits. Thanks, Darlene

"davidjchuang" wrote:

With my limited knowledge, I have only one trump card left. I'm gong to show you how to enable the Real Built-in Administrator, then login to that account and see if you can set up the parental controls.
1.) open Start menu, type cmd in the search box
2.) look up to the top of the left panel, you'll see cmd , Right click on it
3.) click RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR , click Continue if a prompt appears
4.) a black & white screen will appear, type in the following :
net_user_administrator_/active:yes
( note : the sign " _ " represents a space between words )
5.) press ENTER key from your keyboard. The b/w screen will indicate if the command is successful or not. If yes, close the b/w command prompt. If not try again and careful with typo/spacing.
6.) Log-off. Your screen will show 3 accounts. The "real" acct, yours, and your daughter's
7.) login to the "real" account. The system will start setting up the desktop for the account. After that , try do what you wanted to do all these time.
Caustion : a) should you decide to keep that account, make sure to create a password for it.
b) should you decide to get rid of it, repeat the procedures EXCEPT in step 4.) type net user administrator /active:no
Please let me know if it's ok this time. Good luck.