News1 min ago
Re setting a used computer
My son has recently been given a Dell desktop computer (operating with XP professional) from a now closed down Internet Cafe. He has the log in password and the machine seems to be working well. However, because he is not the administrator, he is unable to access the internet via his wireless router (direct wired) or even add a driver CD for his printer. Also he wishis to Make a recovery disc and then format the hdd. Could someone advise on how he should rectify and undertake these tasks. Many thanks
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When he starts up .. is there any User log-in at all?
Try going to User Accounts in Control Panel, making sure accounts are displayed, the try the Admin account with a blank pass. That's one of the first things to look at.
Look in Windows Explorer in the folder display in My Docs to see what other named account folders there are.
Try going to User Accounts in Control Panel, making sure accounts are displayed, the try the Admin account with a blank pass. That's one of the first things to look at.
Look in Windows Explorer in the folder display in My Docs to see what other named account folders there are.
It's a fair bet that the administrator password has never been set.
If that's the case he can start the machine in safe mode, log in as administrator (by actually typing it in as the username). Once he is in as administrator, he can go to user accounts, locate his own account and change it from a limited to an administrator account.
If that's the case he can start the machine in safe mode, log in as administrator (by actually typing it in as the username). Once he is in as administrator, he can go to user accounts, locate his own account and change it from a limited to an administrator account.
Many Thanks Albags and rojash for your help. Yes Albags, there is a log in on start up and my son has the password for that.
Re your suggestion rojash, he has attempted to start on safe mode but 'Administrator' nor the normal password will get him in that way
Each time my son tries do do something, even change date and time he is told "No Administration Priviliges Detected"
Re your suggestion rojash, he has attempted to start on safe mode but 'Administrator' nor the normal password will get him in that way
Each time my son tries do do something, even change date and time he is told "No Administration Priviliges Detected"
"he has attempted to start on safe mode but 'Administrator' nor the normal password will get him in that way "
Not clear what you mean. when starting in safe mode it should ask foe a username and password. The way you have phrased your answer suggests that you are trying to use administrator as a password?
Not clear what you mean. when starting in safe mode it should ask foe a username and password. The way you have phrased your answer suggests that you are trying to use administrator as a password?
"I thought that you were suggesting that I used the word 'Administrator' as the password."
No, I was suggesting that you use the name 'administrator' as the username. That's why, in each of my posts I was careful to specify "as the username" (this is also known as the account name).
A login consists of two parts, the username and the password. The administrator user account is not offered and can be typed in manually in safe mode or when the Welcome screen option is turned off.
In each of these cases Windows will remember the last user who logged on and display their name and ask for a password. At that point you can change the name to administrator. If (and only if) the machine was set up without an password for the administrator account, at that point you will be able to log in as the administrator.
No, I was suggesting that you use the name 'administrator' as the username. That's why, in each of my posts I was careful to specify "as the username" (this is also known as the account name).
A login consists of two parts, the username and the password. The administrator user account is not offered and can be typed in manually in safe mode or when the Welcome screen option is turned off.
In each of these cases Windows will remember the last user who logged on and display their name and ask for a password. At that point you can change the name to administrator. If (and only if) the machine was set up without an password for the administrator account, at that point you will be able to log in as the administrator.
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