Administrator account disappeared

  • Thread starter Thread starter Carey Frisch [MVP]
  • Start date Start date
By default, when you create a second account, the default
administrator account is hidden so that it is not easy for
an unauthorized person to logon. It can be set to show, but
if you know it is there you can always get to the logon
screen by use of ctrl/alt/del on the logon screen.

|
| "!Kalbo" <nonya at home> wrote in message
| | > Where I am, it IS 12/3/2003. In fact, half of the globe
is now living in
| > Dec 3. You'll catch up in a few hours.
| >
| > Do you have an answer to my question?
| >
| >
message
| > | > > Please correct your computer's date and time.
| > > Today is not 12/3/2003.
| > >
| > > Afterward, repost your question.
| > >
| > > --
| > > Carey Frisch
| > > Microsoft MVP
| > > Windows XP - Shell/User
| > >
| >
|
----------------------------------------------------------
Click to expand...
----------------
| > ------------------
| > >
| > > "!Kalbo" <nonya at home.com> wrote in message:
| > > | > >
| > > > I have just set up a system with XP Pro and all the
latest service
| > packs. I
| > > > set up 2 Admin accounts (Administrator and a backup
admin account)
| plus
| > > > several users accounts. Everything was fine last
night but when I
| > rebooted
| > > > this morning, the administrator account was not
listed on the login
| > screen.
| > > > Since the backup admin account was there, I logged
in with this
| account.
| > > > Under the Documents and Settings directory, I still
find the
| > administrator
| > > > directory with all it's files. If I try to recreate
the administrator
| > > > account, XP says it already exists.
| > > >
| > > > It appears that the account is still there and
functional but there is
| > no
| > > > way to log in on the login screen
| > > >
| > > > How do I get the administrator account back on the
login screen?
| > >
| >
| >
| Me suspects that a gremlin has got into carey's computer
and fiddled with
| the time zone
| Cos Kalbo's date looks OK to me, but then so does careys
bit if a
| mystery that
|
|
| --
| The Goose
|
| May the Sun never
| Set on your cabbage patch
|
|
 
The "administrator" account can only be used in "Safe mode".
By defaukt in "normal" mode it's always invisible.
 
The Grey Goose said:
Me suspects that a gremlin has got into carey's computer and fiddled with
the time zone
Cos Kalbo's date looks OK to me, but then so does careys bit if a
mystery that
Click to expand...

The original posters date was set to 12/3/03 yesterday, which was 12/02/03
in my time zone. If your current date is 12/03/03 then his date should say
12/02/03 as it was posted yesterday.
 
The administrator account can be used in normal mode or safe mode.
In xp home in only shows on the welcome screen is you boot to safe mode.
In xp pro it shows on the welcome screen if you boot to safe mode or press
ctrl-alt-del twice at the welcome screen.
TweakUI for xp can be used on xp home or pro and have it display the hidden
administrator account on the welcome screen in normal mode all the time.
 
I have just set up a system with XP Pro and all the latest service packs. I
set up 2 Admin accounts (Administrator and a backup admin account) plus
several users accounts. Everything was fine last night but when I rebooted
this morning, the administrator account was not listed on the login screen.
Since the backup admin account was there, I logged in with this account.
Under the Documents and Settings directory, I still find the administrator
directory with all it's files. If I try to recreate the administrator
account, XP says it already exists.

It appears that the account is still there and functional but there is no
way to log in on the login screen

How do I get the administrator account back on the login screen?
 
Start indows in safe mode (hold F8 during start-up) and your Administrator
account will be there. It's mainly for recovery jobs. Use your backup Admin
account during normal life. Wanna know more about the accounts: Right-click
on My Computer and choose Manage. Expand Local Users and Groups, click on
users and you'll see all the accounts. Don't change anything unless you know
what you're doing.
BeePee
 
Greetings --

The built-in Administrator account really shouldn't be used for
day-to-day normal use. The standard security practice is to set a
strong password on it and use it only to create another account for
regular use, reserving the Administrator account as a "back door" in
case something corrupts your regular account(s).

As you've learned, once any additional user accounts have been
created, the Administrator account will no longer be displayed on the
Welcome Screen. This is a default security feature. By design, the
only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to
reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at
the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login dialog box.


Bruce Chambers

--
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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
One also should rename the Admin a/c in Security Options (in a real world server type situation - I don't bother at home). To log on one needs user name/password - it's quite easy to guess user name so for admin it's best to rename. In an office any account that gets used frequently people can find out by watching what it typed in (esp password protected screensavers).

So a renamed admin account with non expiring password, written down and put in a safety deposit box and never used - so noone knows the name or password..
 
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