Logs me in automatically to other account

windows8 · Aug 20, 2012

Hi guys,

This just happened after I installed a driver for my laser printer.

I rebooted so the laser printers changes can take effect, and now instead of giving me the option to login to my administrator account, it just logs me into my 2nd account, which is not an administrator.

For some reason there is 3 multi boot options, all which lead to the same OS.
This is probably from the installation issues I had which caused me to reinstall 3 times before I found a fix.

richc46 · Aug 20, 2012

Go back with a system restore, reboot and make sure it works. Then try to install correctly.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html

windows8 · Aug 20, 2012

Not sure if its cause I'm not an administrator on this account or not, but it won't let me open system restore.

Uh.. When I go into "Manage Accounts", it doesn't show me the Administrator account, just my standard user and a guest account. is this normal?

richc46 · Aug 20, 2012

Dont know what you did but something is borked.
Use this administrator.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/507-built-administrator-account-enable-disable.html?filter[2]=User Accounts
Use system restore since your account could be gone.
If it is create a new one, so you will have 2 administrator accounts, for emergencies like this.
You will have the new one plus the one that hopefully returns after restore.

windows8 · Aug 20, 2012

I unchecked the "account is disabled" thing, and it says

"The following error occurred while attempting to save properties for user Administrator:

Access is denied."

Also, if it means anything, I'm pretty sure that this Administrator account that is now disabled was the one that I was using before the lockout.

richc46 · Aug 20, 2012

Hopefully, you have been taking the advice that we have been giving others and you have an image on Macrium Reflect.
If you do not, try an SFC
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

windows8 · Aug 20, 2012

I can't use sfc /scannow .. "You must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the sfc utility."

Hold on lemme try one of my old tricks. Hopefully it will work.

Can't believe I was using the hidden administrator account without even thinking about it.

Note

bring up command prompt.

type MMC
Click File -> Add/Remove Snap-in... (Or CTRL+M)
Select Computer Management (Double click and Finish on Local Computer)
Click OK
Double click Computer Management (Local) -> System Tools -> Local Users and Groups -> Users -> Double Click Administrator -> Uncheck Account is disabled -> OK
Now right click Administrator -> Set Password... -> Set a decent password to get started.

Now, restart. Should be good to go.

If this doesn't work try next step:
SHIFT-F10 to bring up command prompt.
type: CD C:\windows\system32\oobe
type msoobe
enter
Make a generic account and password. hit finish (if it requests a product key and you have one, enter it now. if OEM/No key required, just finish). Set time/date. Finish.
Restart.
Should be good to go.

K, option A) didnt work, still says im not admin so I can't use it.
option B) went through normally, let me log out and see if it works.

nope, still the same.

windows8 · Aug 20, 2012

I tried the one on sevenforums that you gave me.

1. Open a elevated command prompt.

2. To Enable the Hidden Built-in Administrator Account
A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
net user administrator /active:yes

Once I enter this, it says

"System error 5 has occurred.

Access is denied."

richc46 · Aug 20, 2012

You mentioned above that you were using that administrator, you could have corrupted it.
If you can get a Vista CD, try a repair install.

windows8 · Aug 20, 2012

Yes, unfortunately I had some errors with my installation, so I had to enable this account in order to proceed; and ended up using this as a main account. I don't understand why it would corrupt it, but I will use a repair disc and see how it goes.

Cytherian · Aug 21, 2012

Frankly, I find it very odd that installing a mere printer driver could upset your system like this. Vista has very good system integrity and shouldn't be so easily corrupted. Also, if you have just one operating system installation, there should be only 1 OS choice to select, not 3. I would definitely use the repair disc to reset/refresh your OS. Once you get everything back to normal, ensure a restore point is made for easier rollback if you need it.

richc46 · Aug 21, 2012

And
Use Macrium Reflect once a month to back up the OS.

windows8 · Aug 21, 2012

Yes, but for some reason my installation was messed up.

This is the thread I made about my installation.

http://www.vistax64.com/drivers/297551-required-cd-dvd-drive-device-driver-missing.html

Thanks for the idea rich, I'll do it once I get my computer up and running.

windows8 · Aug 21, 2012

Okay, now going to try and fix it up.

Its giving me the same error as the thread I linked to above.

Time to play around and see what I can do.

windows8 · Aug 21, 2012

Okay, im stumped.

I went to "manage accounts" section and chose "create a new account" although im not an administrator.

Name account:

Standard user or admin user.

I chose admin user, and named it "admin", but it gives me this error

The specified account name is not valid, because account names cannot contain the following characters: /\[]":;|<>+=,?*

Please type a different name."

richc46 · Aug 21, 2012

Did you say that you have an install CD?

windows8 · Aug 21, 2012

I put in the install CD, it says that you have to be an administrator to install windows.

I booted from CD, and theres no recovery option, just installation option. I think that im using an upgrade disk.

When I went to install windows, it gave me a browse option, and i found that the administrator account was still intact and all of my files were there.

richc46 · Aug 21, 2012

Actually, thats what I need
Use Ubuntu to get your stuff and you can just reinstall, if you have your product key and a CD
You will have a ton of updates, however.
We tried everything else.

windows8 · Aug 21, 2012

No use in that, I have the important files saved on my laptop.

First of all, when I boot up, theres 3 versions of my OS to choose from, all of which lead to the same start-up (faulty installation lead to 3 trys) is playing with my boot.ini the only way to fix.

Ill just continue with the installation/upgrade.

richc46 · Aug 21, 2012

First open an elevated CMD
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/181765-elevated-command-prompt.html
Then follow these instructions:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67567-administrator-account.html
You said that you could not do it before, because you are not the administrator, you just need the password.

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