lost admin account

Hello! I'm having major problems with my son's computer! I put a window's password on his computer, as he was grounded from using it because of bad grades. Then I put my user account with administrator priveledges, and put his user account as "limited". Well, I have lost my entire user account now, & the only desktop I can get into is his, even when I start his PC in "safe mode". So, I cannot make any changes...cannot even uninstall & reinstall "Spyware Blaster" which will not presently update. I was able to go ahead & remove his password for now. No luck when I enter "BIOS" either. I tried restoring "defaults" there. I cannot do a system restore to an earlier time either, without admin priveledges, my access is denied from his desktop. I am so frustrated ! Any suggestions, anyone! Thanks so much in advance!!! Shannon PS Oops...forgot to mention I've got WinXP SP2...& PC is custom-built. Do you need anymore details about hardware stuff I'm using? Thanks

 

I've tried all of the suggestions listed in the similar thread titled "Administrator account disappeared". Access was denied to any/all of them. Again, "Safe Mode" has NO list of any accounts -- ie..NO default Administrator Account. Just thought I'd mention that I did already try those other things. No access to regedit.exe allowed & cannot install the "Tweak" from the Website link suggested in the related thread. Confused & Frustrated
Thanks again in advance for any help! Shannon

 

A case of poetic justice? lolol

I've been searching the software forum for a similar problem. There are disappearing admin accounts because they are hidden. There are inaccessible ones because a password was never entered and suddenly one is requested. I thought the administrator account always showed up in safe mode. So ... that all being unhelpful, I will go off and look some more.

abri

 

Thanks ABRI! Yes, I guess you're right about the "poetic justice" partlol! However, I had to do something, as my son likes to play computer games online, instead of doing homework, & he is failing all his classes as a result ! So... Yes, I don't have any idea why safemode won't show an admin account. I guess my son is pretty darn smart. He learns all kinds of "tricks of the trade" from his online buddies on his gaming sites...in fact, they can even do the programming to create games...I am amazed! Thanks for looking around for me. I guess I could use the WindowsXP CD & go back thru it to where I create the user accounts/desktops? That's only solution I can think of at this point. Thanks! Shannon

 

Shanrene,
I know the "computer generation". Got one in that age group myself and Major Geeks has been helping me keep on a conversational level with him, as I adapt my speech patterns to include gb and mobos. I think your problem is not hopeless, but I'm not the one who can help you. I think some problems arise not because of what one does, but because of the sequence of the actions. I will look for someone else who might better know what you are dealing with.

abri

 

Is it XP Pro?

For WinXP Pro, try pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen and logon as Admin..

Steve

 

No, it's XP Home. Can I still try that on Home? Thanks!
Also, I don't get a "Welcome Screen" when I start computer. It goes straight to desktop. No "Welcome Screen" in safe mode either.

 

Nah, XP Home is safe mode.

Steve

 

shanrene,
this sounds similar to your problem: (haven't read all the way through it yet so don't know if they found a solution)

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6121_102-0.html?forumID=45&threadID=114745&messageID=1303849

abri

 

there's this in that link I posted:

I wonder if that would work for you?
abri

 

Just a quick update on my progress...I finally got my administrator user account back, although I'm not sure if I'm quite sure how exactly. I took those last suggestions, & finally was able to get a log-in window & enter my old account name & password & got back to my old desktop. Now I have "fast-switching mode" & show Welcome-Screen both turned backed on . Thanks to you all for your help & time! Geeks are the greatest! Shannon

 

wow! I'm glad you found your way back in!
abri