From Leo's mailbag:
> From: A Computer User
> Sent: March 22, 2006
> To: Ask Leo!
> Subject: An administrator account, and yet not...
>
> Leo,
> --------------
> Home XP administrator group privileges not recognised outside
> commend line.
>
> my user name is 'martin'. 'net user martin' and 'net
> localgroup Administrators' show that I am an administrator,
> as far as the command line is concerned. I can create new
> users for instance. And things like Dial-a-Fix work fine afaics.
>
> But from a 'windows gui' point of view I do not have those
> privileges. What is happening? eg I cannot get to control
> panel > user accounts. IE is in a twist. Some installers
> will not work.
>
> checked the disc, done spybot and adaware. RootkitRevealer
> did not show anything. AV showed nothing.
>
> I assume something is corrupted. how do I mend, without
> starting from scratch?
My first approach would be:
- right click on My COmputer
- Click on Manage
- Expand Local Users and Groups
and see if you can confirm your administrative status that way.
(I'm guess this won't work, but if it does, it's the easiest.)
Alternately, I would try logging into the actual account
"administrator" that was created when the machine was set up.
A little tricky for XP Home, but still do-able:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/admins.htm
Once there, I would use the User Accounts, or the My Computer ->
Manage thing above, to confirm, or set, the administrative
status of your regular login account.
Good luck!
Leo
Article 10075
| Category:
Windows
