User accounts

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bob B
  • Start date Start date
B

Bob B

Never really thought about setting up user accounts as I am was the only
person who uses this Media Centre computer. So I switch it on and 60 seconds
later it is at desktop. Recently my Grandson would like to use my computer
so do I asume the present set up means am using the administration account
as the default and will setting up another user account mean I will lose the
present administration account and have to move all the present setting to a
second user account for me.
Bob
 
Bob said:
Never really thought about setting up user accounts as I am was the only
person who uses this Media Centre computer. So I switch it on and 60
seconds later it is at desktop. Recently my Grandson would like to use my
computer
so do I asume the present set up means am using the administration
account as the default and will setting up another user account mean I
will lose the present administration account and have to move all the
present setting to a second user account for me.
Bob
Click to expand...

yes, but it's very easy. Have a look here:
http://www.optimizingpc.com/install/useraccounts.html

Please be aware that it is VERY BAD PRACTICE to use the built-in
Administrator account on a day-to-day basis and as your only account on the
computer. If the account gets corrupted, as it may well do, then your ONLY
way into the machine is by doing a repair install of XP. Leave the built-in
Administrator account for emergency access only.
 
so do I asume the present set up means am using the administration account
as the default and will setting up another user account mean I will lose the
present administration account and have to move all the present setting to a
second user account for me.
Click to expand...

Bob, it just depends on how the OEM set up accounts. Some deliver the
system with just the default administrator account active - the account
will have the original default name or Administrator or possibly be the
same account renamed. Others will add an account within the administrative
group, leaving the default Administrator account intact.

Right click My Computer and select Manage. Under Local Users and Groups,
you will see a list of the existing accounts. If Administrator is listed in
addition to the account that you normally use, your account will not
disappear after adding another account.

If you see no other accounts within the administrator group then your
assumption scenario will play out. I'm not familiar with the page that
Gordon referred to. After a quick look over, it appears to cover all of the
steps for transferring data and settings to a new account. The MS Knowledge
Base also has a few articles that explain the process. You can find these
with a search here:
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/1173
 
Sharon F said:
Bob, it just depends on how the OEM set up accounts. Some deliver the
system with just the default administrator account active - the account
will have the original default name or Administrator or possibly be the
same account renamed. Others will add an account within the administrative
group, leaving the default Administrator account intact.

Right click My Computer and select Manage. Under Local Users and Groups,
you will see a list of the existing accounts. If Administrator is listed
in
addition to the account that you normally use, your account will not
disappear after adding another account.

If you see no other accounts within the administrator group then your
assumption scenario will play out. I'm not familiar with the page that
Gordon referred to. After a quick look over, it appears to cover all of
the
steps for transferring data and settings to a new account. The MS
Knowledge
Base also has a few articles that explain the process. You can find these
with a search here:
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/1173
Click to expand...

That was a most interesting reply. it seems I have an account called
administrator and another called Bob. In the control panel under user
accounts it lists as "Bob Computer Administrator" and Guest Account switched
OFF. I presume that Bob is an additional account and the one I normally use.
How do I check this as my computer moves straight to desktop after switching
on. Can I now presume that the administrator acount is hidden but can be
used if needed to reset the computer to its original settings or have got
this all wrong.
Bob
 
Hi,

Yes, the "administrator" account is still hidden. What you are seeing is
your own account, Bob, that has adminstrator level privileges (computer
administrator). This is normal and by design.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Thank you for the reply which improved my understanding. Whilst I am able to
help other people with their computers I am also still learning about the
basics myself.
Bob
 
Hi,

Yes, the "administrator" account is still hidden. What you are seeing is
your own account, Bob, that has adminstrator level privileges (computer
administrator). This is normal and by design.
Click to expand...

Thanks for following up with this, Rick. Was tied up with business over the
weekend and just now made it back. Am glad to see that Bob wasn't left
wondering about this all weekend. :)
 
Sharon F said:
Thanks for following up with this, Rick. Was tied up with business over
the
weekend and just now made it back. Am glad to see that Bob wasn't left
wondering about this all weekend. :)
Click to expand...

Thank you also Sharon for taking the trouble to explain the above.
 
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