That's true, though most installations have the administrator password created during setup. Still, it's worth knowing that the "net user {user} {password}" command line works for all accounts registered on the computer, including the administrator account.

Hi Spike.

Thanks, but actually it was neither. I tried dozens of times to log in with both
the old admin name, and new admin name, and anything the password could
be. Soon the only user account (limited) on the computer also wouldn't work,
and I know good and well I knew the password and username for that. Heck,
I had just created it. No typos either.

Ultimately, I just went here and did that. Looks a little confusing at first --
okay, a LOT confusing -- but it's actually quite easy. I blanked out my admin
password and logged on without problems. (Well, a scary false alarm made
me think nothing had changed ... the OLD admin username was there, and
I got the bad password error again. But when I changed it to the NEW
username, I got right in.)

Thank you for trying to help ~ much appreciated. :-)

* H

I did help

I assure you though, if your limited account became unusable too for no reason, it was nothing to do with this guide, there's nothing in this guide that could possibly produce those problems.

Glad you got it sorted though.

Hi I tried this on my puter with XP PRO and got the same reply from windows ? Could a virus or whatever cause such a reaction ??

Ta Martin

A virus could do that. Whether it would or not is a different question. I can only suggest following Howarrds advice in the "before posting your hjt log" sticky, and then taking another look. If gpedit is still not coming up after that, let us know.

i think another way to make windows more secure is by having backup copies of taskmanager, msconfig, and registry editor.
here is the site you can get the backups
http://dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_emerutils.htm

there's a problem with this though. the virus gaelicum.exe will infect any, and i repeat any .exe file, including these puppies.

I have used an account with administrative rights since I got the PC

"Use a limited account! - This can't be stressed enough. To be using an acount with administrator status for day to day stuff is just asking for trouble. Log into your administrative account, install the programs you intend to use, add a strong password to the account (ONE YOU CAN REMEMBER!), create a limited account for day to day use (browsing the web, using programs, etc), and add a password to that account too. After setting up your computer, only ever log into the administrative account if you need it's priviledges. For the most part, use the limited account."

What could I do to remedy the situation with least disruption? I now have an external hard drive & Casper XP so at least have a backup in case I mess up - so it would be good to start using a limited account but I do not understand how to do this simply.

Thanks for this guide! I use to have some problems with virus / spyware before I came to this site, now my computer is hella fast with only 21 processes running


Also I have a question about:
Is it normal for it to take super long time to shutdown windows? Because when it's set to 0 instead of 1 it takes about 10-15 seconds to shutdown, when it's set to 1 it takes about 7 minutes

hi,
may i know how to perform step 10?? could u pls show me?

This is an old thread, perhaps this will help - [url]http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm[/url]

i sound complex.. could u show me what should i do now?

Just read it thoroughly and follow their instructions.

unzip it , click on mvps.bat ,cut the HOSTS file ,paste to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC. yes to replace the file and finish. correct?

Sounds right, but i didn't have time to go through the instructions thoroughly as i am currently helping several people out.

currently I'm using computer administrator user( and i've no other user beside guest user) . but i wish to follow the step so i go control panel n find icon of user account, clicked n click on create a new account, type a name n it is said that " you must create at least one computer administrator account before you can create other account. so is that a problem?

can anyone tell me what is happening to my computer? n why this is happening?