Lost User Account

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I am running Windows XP and added a new user account. The only option was to
add the account as an administrator. Didn't know that it would affect
existing administrator account which disapeared the next time the computer
was rebooted. I need the original administrator account back because it is my
main account for all programs and files (I know now a bad idea). When I
reboot in safe mode, I can see my old account but question is how do make it
accessible in regular boot mode?
 
In
fred said:
I am running Windows XP and added a new user account. The
only option
was to add the account as an administrator. Didn't know that
it would
affect existing administrator account which disapeared the
next time
the computer was rebooted. I need the original administrator
account
back because it is my main account for all programs and files
(I know
now a bad idea). When I reboot in safe mode, I can see my old
account
but question is how do make it accessible in regular boot
mode?
Click to expand...

The simplest way is to boot into your new account and do the
following.

Go to Start -> Log Off and log off of your new account.
This should bring you to either the Welcome Screen or the Log
on to Windows dialog.
If it's the Welcome Screen, hit the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys
twice which will bring you to the Logon to Windows dialog.
In the dialog, enter Administrator in the User Name box.
Enter any password that you had set up for this account.

If you want to add the Administrator account to the Welcome
Screen, take a look at these articles.

Courtesy of Doug Knox, MS-MVP
Enable Administrator account on Welcome Screen
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_admin_ok.htm

Courtesy of Ramesh Srinivasan, MS-MVP
How to login as Administrator in Windows XP?
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/admins.htm

As you've discovered, using the built-in Administrator account
as your regular account isn't a good idea. What you can do is
copy the files from the Administrator account over to your new
account. Here's how;

How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/811151

You will have to use a third account which is a computer
administrator in order to copy the files. Create a temporary
admin account that can be deleted once the procedure is
completed.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
Thanks - I can log into old admin account now, couldn't get it added to
Welcome screen though using Tweak UI, it doesn't appear as an option.

I investigated copying old admin accounts to new user account but didn't see
old user name folder in documents and settings. Don't know if I'm looking for
the right thing.

I assume there is no way to delete the new admin account I inadvertently
created and go back to previous state? I did try a system restore but it
failed for every date I attempted.

Nice pickups by Pats though!

Another NEPatsFan
 
Which version of Windows XP are you using?
If you're not sure, go to Start -> Run and enter winver in the
Open box.

From the behavior you described in your original question, I
assumed it was XP Professional. With XP Pro, if you're using
the built-in Administrator account and create a new admin
account, the Administrator account becomes hidden.

Getting back to your problem, what folders do you see when you
open the Documents and Settings folder?

Also, if you're having problems using System Restore, it may
mean that all the restore points are corrupted. For more
information, go to this web site.

Courtesy of Bert Kinney, MS-MVP
Troubleshoot System Restore “Restore Point Failures” in Windows
XP
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

As for the Patriots, I'm fine with their signing Adalius Thomas
and Sammy Morris. I'm not so sure about Kyle Brady.

Nepatsfan

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