Windows XP logging on!

[Sensible]

A minor difficulty I hope! I have been away on holiday and whilst I was away, a friend decided that my data would be secure from "guests" if users were able to log in using passwords. A log in name was duly created for each casual user plus myself and now user names appear as if by magic at startup and individual users are able to log in using a password. Sadly, the new name and password for me, only gives access to a sparse looking desktop and I cannot access my MS Word files or personalised IE or OE although I am confident that everything is still residing on C drive somewhere! I have logged into each user name and cannot find my files or crowded desktop so in desperation I am looking for divine guidance. I have been assured that only user names have been the subject of change. Prior to the "useful reorganisation" I just switched my computer on and it would then load everything and be ready for use without any need for for user name or password.

The immortal words come to mind "If it aint broke don't fix it!!"

[Peter Fanelli]

And you refer to this person as a "friend", how strange :)

[NutLoose]

Have you logged on as the administrator? thats the way fwd...... oh and if its a dell have a look in the book that came with it, there is a jumper you can remove off the motherboard on some to clear them..........

best bet it to get him to put back what he changed...

[Parapunter]

Find the user name/password combo that was yours I.e. the one with all the desktop/data stuff. Then log on as the administrator & delete all the other user accounts except yours & you'll be back to normal.

[Sensible]

Thanks for the ideas, its not a Dell, its an HP and sadly, my "friend" has already restored the computer to how he thought he found it! There is now just one administrator user (me) and one guest account - previously there was no accounts, the computer was ready for business without any sign ins at all! and the horror is that all my desktop and data stuff is inaccessible! :ugh:

[mocoman]

Has your friend created your user account with your name as opposed to using the user name 'administrator'?

If he/she has used your name as the username then try this:

From the login page press ctrl-alt-del twice. This will bring up a text login dialog box.

Type in 'administrator' as user and no password (if you never had one).

This should log you in using the original account.

Reason:
XP hides the administrator account from the login page once other named administrator accounts have been created but it does not delete the original account.

edit. this only works with XP pro but there is a workaround for Home

How to login as Administrator in Windows XP? (http://windowsxp.mvps.org/admins.htm)
or
Windows XP Administrator Account Passwords (http://www.ncsu.edu/resnet/windows/passwords/xp_passwords_admin.php)
or
Add the Administrator's Account to the Welcome Screen in XP Pro (http://www.petri.co.il/add_the_administrator's_account_to_the_welcome_screen_in_xp_ pro.htm)

You may also find that your files still exist in the 'Documents And Settings' folder on your C drive. As long as your new login has admin rights you should be able to look through your hard drive and find your old desktop settings and data.

hth

[Parapunter]

IIRC, if he's deleted user accounts, including your old one, then you're stuffed. Could try a system restore.


Edit; Quick google & found this: Get IT Done: Recover A Damaged Windows XP User Profile ~ IT Professionals (http://www.lockergnome.com/it/2004/12/15/get-it-done-recover-a-damaged-windows-xp-user-profile/) Good luck!

[BOAC]

As PF says, review your 'friendship':ugh:

BACK EVERYTHING UP - at least your 'system' drive with windows and 'docs and settings' on before you start.

I've proved over and over again the benefit of having some sort of dual boot system, be it another Windows (98/2000 whatever, or even, shock horror, 3.1!)). Having a 'graphical interface' to open ALL folders without restriction makes it so much easier to 'see'/copy what you need to. I have, in the past, resorted to the last suggestion on that link (ie manual copy of profile files) with success, although as it says there are still many things to restore/tweak at the end.

I do, however, fear from your post that your (once) friend has indeed deleted all your old 'docs and settings' stuff under your defunct username in which case, into your last back-up (you DID, didn't you....?) and restore. I have not read the link in detail, but do not try creating the new 'username' the same as your previous defunct name or you will get into a mess. If it is essential that you do (ie if you have remote access/scripts etc which require a specific account name), once you have successfully replaced your account with a working new one, once again back it up, and then repeat the exercise, creating the new ('old' name) account - which you will have deleted once the first operation was successful - and then do the same thing again, copying the profile from the recently created new account to your desired 'old' account.

Last thing to do - have another think about your 'friendship' (and your user name......:))

[Sensible]

Many thanks for the replies, special thanks indeed to "mocoman" who suggested:-
"If he/she has used your name as the username then try this:
From the login page press ctrl-alt-del twice. This will bring up a text login dialog box.
Type in 'administrator' as user and no password (if you never had one).
This should log you in using the original account."

Everything is bright and sunny now! many thanks once again.

I have now made my computer out of bounds to all! I don't want scares like that too often!

Cheers!

[The Flying Pram]

Time to invest in an external HDD and copy all your documents over to it. Keep it somewhere safe i.e. away from your "friends"....