Administrator who?

flossy_splodge

Please don't shout at this but.... how do I check if administrator rights are set up?
I am helping a friend install security on their laptop and for an online virus scan (which I wanted to do as well) it asks for administrator log in.
Now the laptop was given as a present from someone who has since become a non-friend and no chance of any help from them.
The laptops owner is unaware of any admin rights having been set up.
So how can I establish a way forward here?:eek:
Thanks

LittleVoice

Have you actually tried to do an admin task - like add a new user and allocate administrator rights?

Browntoa

unless the friend turned it off then safe mode will reveal the hidden administrator user

http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml

log on via that user in safe mode and then go to control panel , then users and make sure that the normal user profile has admin rights

flossy_splodge

Browntoa wrote: »

unless the friend turned it off then safe mode will reveal the hidden administrator user

http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml

log on via that user in safe mode and then go to control panel , then users and make sure that the normal user profile has admin rights

Thanks. Can you please explain exactly how to log on using safe mode.
Have never had to do this.
Is it self evident what to do when in 'safe mode'? Sorry but long long time since I was involved in this stuff and its not my computer so I'm nervous!

flossy_splodge

LittleVoice wrote: »

Have you actually tried to do an admin task - like add a new user and allocate administrator rights?

Nope, haven't tried this, good idea. Just one thing, how to add a new user?
This dratted machine is running Vista Home Premium and I'm totally unfamiliar with it.
Thanks

Browntoa

that pc hell links shows you how , depends on the version of windows you have how to do it

http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml

[FONT=Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif]Windows Vista [/FONT]

[FONT=Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif]Windows Vista is similar to Windows XP for starting in Safe Mode.[/FONT]

• Turn the computer on or Restart the computer
• Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Boot Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
• Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected (the top option)
• Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
• When you are finished with troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.

flossy_splodge

The laptop is running Vista H Prem and on this machine I am running 2000. Is it different?
Thanks for your patience.

Browntoa

Right Click on the program you are trying to insatll and click 'Run it as Administrator'

Old_Sherlock

Just one thing, how to add a new user?

Click Start >Control pannel >Add or remove user

flossy_splodge

Yay! Have established that laptop owner is the administrator!
Thanks so much!

Now just puzzled as to why it asked for administrator rights when there is only ONE user account and that is the owner who DOES have Admin rights?

Am I going barmy?
Polite answers only thanks.xx

anniecave

maybe it was just giving you an information message saying "you must be an administrator in order to do whatever" rather than that the program had actually checked the security settings first.