Vista - Administrator log in

Ive found a technical page on the Microsoft web site that explains my problem
(see link below) but it doesnt tell me how to put it right simply so someone
with very little computer knowledge can do it - any help gratefully recieved.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926183/en-us

Ben

That article simply describes the built-in Administrator account in Vista.
This is an account that is hidden, by default and should not be used except
in cases of an emergency. If for some reason all other administrator
accounts get deleted, this account will still be available when you log into
Safe Mode.

Can you describe the problem you are having?

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B21AA14C-683B-44FC-8369-DEE6A9F86FD0@microsoft.com...
> Ive found a technical page on the Microsoft web site that explains my
> problem
> (see link below) but it doesnt tell me how to put it right simply so
> someone
> with very little computer knowledge can do it - any help gratefully
> recieved.
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926183/en-us
>
>
>
>

I purchased a pc with Vista basic pre-installed. I set up 2 user accounts and
an Administrator account as directed. The 2 user accounts were for myself and
my wife and the Administartor account was there for when I needed it (as per
Windows advice). Everything was good and I decided to upgrade to Premium
using the Windows Anytime upgrade disc after puchasing the licence on-line.
The upgrade completed and my machine re-booted but the welcome screen only
showed the log in for the two user accounts. The administrator log in has
disapeared.
When I go control panel>user accounts>manage another account it shows the 2
user accounts and the administrator account. I just need a method of logging
in to that administator account so I can give the administrator control to
one of the other accounts.
This is getting very frustrating as I cant even clean re-install from the
upgrade disc because I dont have the right privilages - no control over my
own pc after spending 90 quid on an upgrade..
Any help gratefully recieved

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:

> Ben
>
> That article simply describes the built-in Administrator account in Vista.
> This is an account that is hidden, by default and should not be used except
> in cases of an emergency. If for some reason all other administrator
> accounts get deleted, this account will still be available when you log into
> Safe Mode.
>
> Can you describe the problem you are having?
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B21AA14C-683B-44FC-8369-DEE6A9F86FD0@microsoft.com...
> > Ive found a technical page on the Microsoft web site that explains my
> > problem
> > (see link below) but it doesnt tell me how to put it right simply so
> > someone
> > with very little computer knowledge can do it - any help gratefully
> > recieved.
> >
> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926183/en-us
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Ben

You need to boot to Safe Mode. When you go to Safe Mode, you can only log-in
with an Administrator account. If there are no other administrator accounts
left, Vista is designed to log you on with the Built-in Administrator
account. This account does not have a password, by default.

Reboot the computer and start tapping the F8 key while it restarts. You will
eventually see a black screen with several menu options, use the Arrow Keys
to select Safe Mode and press the Enter Key.

Once in Safe Mode, you can either create a new Administrator account change
one of the Standard User accounts to Administrator.

I'm not sure what may have happened to your original administrator account
when you performed the upgrade?

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:463FE0DF-6468-4608-8D7B-87F7052E79B9@microsoft.com...
>I purchased a pc with Vista basic pre-installed. I set up 2 user accounts
>and
> an Administrator account as directed. The 2 user accounts were for myself
> and
> my wife and the Administartor account was there for when I needed it (as
> per
> Windows advice). Everything was good and I decided to upgrade to Premium
> using the Windows Anytime upgrade disc after puchasing the licence
> on-line.
> The upgrade completed and my machine re-booted but the welcome screen only
> showed the log in for the two user accounts. The administrator log in has
> disapeared.
> When I go control panel>user accounts>manage another account it shows the
> 2
> user accounts and the administrator account. I just need a method of
> logging
> in to that administator account so I can give the administrator control to
> one of the other accounts.
> This is getting very frustrating as I cant even clean re-install from the
> upgrade disc because I dont have the right privilages - no control over my
> own pc after spending 90 quid on an upgrade..
> Any help gratefully recieved
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
>> Ben
>>
>> That article simply describes the built-in Administrator account in
>> Vista.
>> This is an account that is hidden, by default and should not be used
>> except
>> in cases of an emergency. If for some reason all other administrator
>> accounts get deleted, this account will still be available when you log
>> into
>> Safe Mode.
>>
>> Can you describe the problem you are having?
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:B21AA14C-683B-44FC-8369-DEE6A9F86FD0@microsoft.com...
>> > Ive found a technical page on the Microsoft web site that explains my
>> > problem
>> > (see link below) but it doesnt tell me how to put it right simply so
>> > someone
>> > with very little computer knowledge can do it - any help gratefully
>> > recieved.
>> >
>> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926183/en-us
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>

Ben, when you first set up the pc, how did you name the first account, ie
the one that has Administrator rights? I presume that you set up that
account before creating your 2 Standard User accounts (Ben and Mrs Ben).

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP Windows Shell/User

I posted a similar problem above. The difference in my case is that I did not
program a password for my administrator profile. I tried running the Safe
Mode process you suggested, but it just goes straight to my standard user
profile. I do not see any option for me to log in as an administrator.

What am I missing?

Help!

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:

> Ben
>
> You need to boot to Safe Mode. When you go to Safe Mode, you can only log-in
> with an Administrator account. If there are no other administrator accounts
> left, Vista is designed to log you on with the Built-in Administrator
> account. This account does not have a password, by default.
>
> Reboot the computer and start tapping the F8 key while it restarts. You will
> eventually see a black screen with several menu options, use the Arrow Keys
> to select Safe Mode and press the Enter Key.
>
> Once in Safe Mode, you can either create a new Administrator account change
> one of the Standard User accounts to Administrator.
>
> I'm not sure what may have happened to your original administrator account
> when you performed the upgrade?
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:463FE0DF-6468-4608-8D7B-87F7052E79B9@microsoft.com...
> >I purchased a pc with Vista basic pre-installed. I set up 2 user accounts
> >and
> > an Administrator account as directed. The 2 user accounts were for myself
> > and
> > my wife and the Administartor account was there for when I needed it (as
> > per
> > Windows advice). Everything was good and I decided to upgrade to Premium
> > using the Windows Anytime upgrade disc after puchasing the licence
> > on-line.
> > The upgrade completed and my machine re-booted but the welcome screen only
> > showed the log in for the two user accounts. The administrator log in has
> > disapeared.
> > When I go control panel>user accounts>manage another account it shows the
> > 2
> > user accounts and the administrator account. I just need a method of
> > logging
> > in to that administator account so I can give the administrator control to
> > one of the other accounts.
> > This is getting very frustrating as I cant even clean re-install from the
> > upgrade disc because I dont have the right privilages - no control over my
> > own pc after spending 90 quid on an upgrade..
> > Any help gratefully recieved
> >
> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
> >
> >> Ben
> >>
> >> That article simply describes the built-in Administrator account in
> >> Vista.
> >> This is an account that is hidden, by default and should not be used
> >> except
> >> in cases of an emergency. If for some reason all other administrator
> >> accounts get deleted, this account will still be available when you log
> >> into
> >> Safe Mode.
> >>
> >> Can you describe the problem you are having?
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Ronnie Vernon
> >> Microsoft MVP
> >> Windows Shell/User
> >>
> >>
> >> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:B21AA14C-683B-44FC-8369-DEE6A9F86FD0@microsoft.com...
> >> > Ive found a technical page on the Microsoft web site that explains my
> >> > problem
> >> > (see link below) but it doesnt tell me how to put it right simply so
> >> > someone
> >> > with very little computer knowledge can do it - any help gratefully
> >> > recieved.
> >> >
> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926183/en-us
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
>

SROC4

I don't see your previous message. It may not have posted properly?
Please repost your original message.



--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"SROC4" <SROC4@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:21FDF37C-1137-45EB-A685-B5704D2A0DB1@microsoft.com...
>I posted a similar problem above. The difference in my case is that I did
>not
> program a password for my administrator profile. I tried running the Safe
> Mode process you suggested, but it just goes straight to my standard user
> profile. I do not see any option for me to log in as an administrator.
>
> What am I missing?
>
> Help!
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
>> Ben
>>
>> You need to boot to Safe Mode. When you go to Safe Mode, you can only
>> log-in
>> with an Administrator account. If there are no other administrator
>> accounts
>> left, Vista is designed to log you on with the Built-in Administrator
>> account. This account does not have a password, by default.
>>
>> Reboot the computer and start tapping the F8 key while it restarts. You
>> will
>> eventually see a black screen with several menu options, use the Arrow
>> Keys
>> to select Safe Mode and press the Enter Key.
>>
>> Once in Safe Mode, you can either create a new Administrator account
>> change
>> one of the Standard User accounts to Administrator.
>>
>> I'm not sure what may have happened to your original administrator
>> account
>> when you performed the upgrade?
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:463FE0DF-6468-4608-8D7B-87F7052E79B9@microsoft.com...
>> >I purchased a pc with Vista basic pre-installed. I set up 2 user
>> >accounts
>> >and
>> > an Administrator account as directed. The 2 user accounts were for
>> > myself
>> > and
>> > my wife and the Administartor account was there for when I needed it
>> > (as
>> > per
>> > Windows advice). Everything was good and I decided to upgrade to
>> > Premium
>> > using the Windows Anytime upgrade disc after puchasing the licence
>> > on-line.
>> > The upgrade completed and my machine re-booted but the welcome screen
>> > only
>> > showed the log in for the two user accounts. The administrator log in
>> > has
>> > disapeared.
>> > When I go control panel>user accounts>manage another account it shows
>> > the
>> > 2
>> > user accounts and the administrator account. I just need a method of
>> > logging
>> > in to that administator account so I can give the administrator control
>> > to
>> > one of the other accounts.
>> > This is getting very frustrating as I cant even clean re-install from
>> > the
>> > upgrade disc because I dont have the right privilages - no control over
>> > my
>> > own pc after spending 90 quid on an upgrade..
>> > Any help gratefully recieved
>> >
>> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Ben
>> >>
>> >> That article simply describes the built-in Administrator account in
>> >> Vista.
>> >> This is an account that is hidden, by default and should not be used
>> >> except
>> >> in cases of an emergency. If for some reason all other administrator
>> >> accounts get deleted, this account will still be available when you
>> >> log
>> >> into
>> >> Safe Mode.
>> >>
>> >> Can you describe the problem you are having?
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >>
>> >> Ronnie Vernon
>> >> Microsoft MVP
>> >> Windows Shell/User
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:B21AA14C-683B-44FC-8369-DEE6A9F86FD0@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Ive found a technical page on the Microsoft web site that explains
>> >> > my
>> >> > problem
>> >> > (see link below) but it doesnt tell me how to put it right simply so
>> >> > someone
>> >> > with very little computer knowledge can do it - any help gratefully
>> >> > recieved.
>> >> >
>> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926183/en-us
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>>

Here it is:

I bought my computer with Vista Business intalled. I've been using the
administrator profile (as my profile) up until yesterday when I switched it
to a "user". I assigned the ASP.NET profile as administrator and did not
assign a password. When I restarted my PC, now there is no way for me to
access the administrator rights since it requires me to input a password. Is
there a default password for this, since I did not assign one in th first
place? Now there is no way for me to change the settings of my PC.

Please help!!!

Thanks!

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:

> SROC4
>
> I don't see your previous message. It may not have posted properly?
> Please repost your original message.
>
>
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "SROC4" <SROC4@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:21FDF37C-1137-45EB-A685-B5704D2A0DB1@microsoft.com...
> >I posted a similar problem above. The difference in my case is that I did
> >not
> > program a password for my administrator profile. I tried running the Safe
> > Mode process you suggested, but it just goes straight to my standard user
> > profile. I do not see any option for me to log in as an administrator.
> >
> > What am I missing?
> >
> > Help!
> >
> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
> >
> >> Ben
> >>
> >> You need to boot to Safe Mode. When you go to Safe Mode, you can only
> >> log-in
> >> with an Administrator account. If there are no other administrator
> >> accounts
> >> left, Vista is designed to log you on with the Built-in Administrator
> >> account. This account does not have a password, by default.
> >>
> >> Reboot the computer and start tapping the F8 key while it restarts. You
> >> will
> >> eventually see a black screen with several menu options, use the Arrow
> >> Keys
> >> to select Safe Mode and press the Enter Key.
> >>
> >> Once in Safe Mode, you can either create a new Administrator account
> >> change
> >> one of the Standard User accounts to Administrator.
> >>
> >> I'm not sure what may have happened to your original administrator
> >> account
> >> when you performed the upgrade?
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Ronnie Vernon
> >> Microsoft MVP
> >> Windows Shell/User
> >>
> >>
> >> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:463FE0DF-6468-4608-8D7B-87F7052E79B9@microsoft.com...
> >> >I purchased a pc with Vista basic pre-installed. I set up 2 user
> >> >accounts
> >> >and
> >> > an Administrator account as directed. The 2 user accounts were for
> >> > myself
> >> > and
> >> > my wife and the Administartor account was there for when I needed it
> >> > (as
> >> > per
> >> > Windows advice). Everything was good and I decided to upgrade to
> >> > Premium
> >> > using the Windows Anytime upgrade disc after puchasing the licence
> >> > on-line.
> >> > The upgrade completed and my machine re-booted but the welcome screen
> >> > only
> >> > showed the log in for the two user accounts. The administrator log in
> >> > has
> >> > disapeared.
> >> > When I go control panel>user accounts>manage another account it shows
> >> > the
> >> > 2
> >> > user accounts and the administrator account. I just need a method of
> >> > logging
> >> > in to that administator account so I can give the administrator control
> >> > to
> >> > one of the other accounts.
> >> > This is getting very frustrating as I cant even clean re-install from
> >> > the
> >> > upgrade disc because I dont have the right privilages - no control over
> >> > my
> >> > own pc after spending 90 quid on an upgrade..
> >> > Any help gratefully recieved
> >> >
> >> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Ben
> >> >>
> >> >> That article simply describes the built-in Administrator account in
> >> >> Vista.
> >> >> This is an account that is hidden, by default and should not be used
> >> >> except
> >> >> in cases of an emergency. If for some reason all other administrator
> >> >> accounts get deleted, this account will still be available when you
> >> >> log
> >> >> into
> >> >> Safe Mode.
> >> >>
> >> >> Can you describe the problem you are having?
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >>
> >> >> Ronnie Vernon
> >> >> Microsoft MVP
> >> >> Windows Shell/User
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:B21AA14C-683B-44FC-8369-DEE6A9F86FD0@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Ive found a technical page on the Microsoft web site that explains
> >> >> > my
> >> >> > problem
> >> >> > (see link below) but it doesnt tell me how to put it right simply so
> >> >> > someone
> >> >> > with very little computer knowledge can do it - any help gratefully
> >> >> > recieved.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926183/en-us
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >>
> >>
>

Jane
The accounts were called Ben (Administrator) and me & her (user accounts). I
did set the administrator account up first. I was running the sytem perfectly
for about a month before I took the decision (in hindsight -stupid) to
upgrade.

The sad part is I really like Vista but this is starting to confirm to me
all the negative things that people have been saying about it.

"Jane C" wrote:

> Ben, when you first set up the pc, how did you name the first account, ie
> the one that has Administrator rights? I presume that you set up that
> account before creating your 2 Standard User accounts (Ben and Mrs Ben).
>
> --
> Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
> Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
> MVP Windows Shell/User
>
>

Ronnie,
Ive rebooted in safe mode but there remains no Administrator log in only the
usual standard users. I went to Control panel>user accounts>manage another
account and it will only let me change the pictures nothing else. When I try
to create a new account it says I cant because the name contains ^'|.><* even
though it doesnt.
Even though its in safe mode it seems to be behaving exactly as it does
normally.

Brick in hand-close to smashing!!!!!

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:

> Ben
>
> You need to boot to Safe Mode. When you go to Safe Mode, you can only log-in
> with an Administrator account. If there are no other administrator accounts
> left, Vista is designed to log you on with the Built-in Administrator
> account. This account does not have a password, by default.
>
> Reboot the computer and start tapping the F8 key while it restarts. You will
> eventually see a black screen with several menu options, use the Arrow Keys
> to select Safe Mode and press the Enter Key.
>
> Once in Safe Mode, you can either create a new Administrator account change
> one of the Standard User accounts to Administrator.
>
> I'm not sure what may have happened to your original administrator account
> when you performed the upgrade?
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:463FE0DF-6468-4608-8D7B-87F7052E79B9@microsoft.com...
> >I purchased a pc with Vista basic pre-installed. I set up 2 user accounts
> >and
> > an Administrator account as directed. The 2 user accounts were for myself
> > and
> > my wife and the Administartor account was there for when I needed it (as
> > per
> > Windows advice). Everything was good and I decided to upgrade to Premium
> > using the Windows Anytime upgrade disc after puchasing the licence
> > on-line.
> > The upgrade completed and my machine re-booted but the welcome screen only
> > showed the log in for the two user accounts. The administrator log in has
> > disapeared.
> > When I go control panel>user accounts>manage another account it shows the
> > 2
> > user accounts and the administrator account. I just need a method of
> > logging
> > in to that administator account so I can give the administrator control to
> > one of the other accounts.
> > This is getting very frustrating as I cant even clean re-install from the
> > upgrade disc because I dont have the right privilages - no control over my
> > own pc after spending 90 quid on an upgrade..
> > Any help gratefully recieved
> >
> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
> >
> >> Ben
> >>
> >> That article simply describes the built-in Administrator account in
> >> Vista.
> >> This is an account that is hidden, by default and should not be used
> >> except
> >> in cases of an emergency. If for some reason all other administrator
> >> accounts get deleted, this account will still be available when you log
> >> into
> >> Safe Mode.
> >>
> >> Can you describe the problem you are having?
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Ronnie Vernon
> >> Microsoft MVP
> >> Windows Shell/User
> >>
> >>
> >> "Ben" <Ben@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:B21AA14C-683B-44FC-8369-DEE6A9F86FD0@microsoft.com...
> >> > Ive found a technical page on the Microsoft web site that explains my
> >> > problem
> >> > (see link below) but it doesnt tell me how to put it right simply so
> >> > someone
> >> > with very little computer knowledge can do it - any help gratefully
> >> > recieved.
> >> >
> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926183/en-us
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
>