Windows XP users - basic question

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Paul

I have used Windows 98 for years but am totally new to XP. I have just
bought a new computer that was set up by the supplier with a single user
called 'General User'. I installed/configured some applications, for example
a dial-up internet connection. Then I set up user accounts for each member
of my family. Later I installed more software. Now I find that the software
installed after I set up the user accounts is available to all users, but
the dial-up is available only to General User. When we try to access the
internet from another user account a message pops up saying that this
computer has no internet connection, which is patently untrue!

I think I simply don't yet understand user accounts, so a simple explanation
of their scope and implications would be appreciated. Do I have to uninstall
and reinstall all that I installed before setting up the different user
accounts, or is there an easier way of proceeding? What happens, I wonder,
if I want to add another user account at some time in the future?

Thanks,
Paul
 
Paul said:
I have used Windows 98 for years but am totally new to XP. I have just
bought a new computer that was set up by the supplier with a single
user called 'General User'. I installed/configured some applications,
for example a dial-up internet connection. Then I set up user
accounts for each member of my family. Later I installed more
software. Now I find that the software installed after I set up the
user accounts is available to all users, but the dial-up is available
only to General User. When we try to access the internet from another
user account a message pops up saying that this computer has no
internet connection, which is patently untrue!

I think I simply don't yet understand user accounts, so a simple
explanation of their scope and implications would be appreciated. Do
I have to uninstall and reinstall all that I installed before setting
up the different user accounts, or is there an easier way of
proceeding? What happens, I wonder, if I want to add another user
account at some time in the future?
Click to expand...

HOW TO: Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783&Product=winxp

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308419&Product=winxp

Doug's Windows XP Security Console
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

Windows XP is a multi-user OS, even when used by one person only, the
fundamentals don't change.

Documents and Settings is the directory that contains your user
information/documents/etc. It also contains a few extra directories used by
Windows.

One is "Default User" - This is used whenever a new account is created. It
bases the initial setup of that account off this directory.

Another is "All Users" - This is used by.. all users. If you want something
to appear on the desktop of every user of the machine, you put it on this
users desktop (in the desktop folder.) Etc.

You may also see "Administrator" - depending on your setup, this is the
original administrator user and if you know that account's password, you
should leave him alone and use him only in an emergency.

You could also (if you have it where you can see ALL files) see
"LocalService" and "NetworkService" folders. These are service accounts,
normally unused by the standard user.

Should you erase any of the above? No. No reason to. The only ones that a
single user will really ever use is the one under their username (ie:
whatever username you log in with) and the "All Users" account. If
something goes wrong(or you add a new user), the default user will be used
(recreated if not there) to create the new account needed. The
Administrator account will hopefully never be used and would just be
recreated if you logged in as administrator (assuming you even have the
user - which you do.) Sometimes your account may be listed as "owner" or
"administrator" under the documents and settings folder.. This all depends
on how things were setup. The name you use and the name of the folder do
NOT have to correspond if the name was changed manually after the account
was created initially.
 
Paul cogitated deeply and scribbled thusly:
I have used Windows 98 for years but am totally new to XP. I have just
bought a new computer that was set up by the supplier with a single user
called 'General User'. I installed/configured some applications, for example
a dial-up internet connection. Then I set up user accounts for each member
of my family. Later I installed more software. Now I find that the software
installed after I set up the user accounts is available to all users, but
the dial-up is available only to General User. When we try to access the
internet from another user account a message pops up saying that this
computer has no internet connection, which is patently untrue!
Click to expand...


In General User, right-click on the Dial-up connection, and choose
properties. Then go to Options and check the "Prompt for username......"
box. OK out. Then double-click the connection icon. When the box comes
up asking for username and password, there should be two radio buttons
at the bottom, asking if you want to use this dial-up for this user only
or all users. Check the "All Users" button. Allow it to connect and then
disconnect. Reverse the procedure to prompt for Username.
See if that helps.
 
Paul said:
I have used Windows 98 for years but am totally new to XP. I have just
bought a new computer that was set up by the supplier with a single user
called 'General User'. I installed/configured some applications, for example
a dial-up internet connection. Then I set up user accounts for each member
of my family. Later I installed more software. Now I find that the software
installed after I set up the user accounts is available to all users, but
the dial-up is available only to General User. When we try to access the
internet from another user account a message pops up saying that this
computer has no internet connection, which is patently untrue!
Click to expand...

The best thing to do is to get your ISP to issue you with enough Accounts,
passwords, In-boxes and email addresses so that each user can have their own
set up. This way each user connects to their own Internet and Email
accounts. Once you have the new account info log in as each user in turn and
set up new connections in IE and new mail accounts in outlook express (or
whatever mail program you are using). The end result is that each user
account behaves almost like a virtual PC. Later on if you decide to buy a
second computer it's much easier to transfer one users settings to the new
PC.
 
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