Newbie Question - Making myself an administrator

[dane775]

All apologies....I realize this is probably a really stupid question.

When I use my "normal" user login in with my work PCs, I didn't have admin privileges. A co-worker said, log on as administrator (and he gave me the admin password) and give yourself admin privileges so you can install software.

This worked fine with my laptop.

With my work station...when I log in as admin, there's no user to match my user name...?? I know it exists cuz I can use it to logon to the network. And when I explore the hard drive the user's listed under documents & settings. What's up with that?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[bcastner]

In a Domain setting you have a domain logon, and a local console logon.

You admin user is defined for the Domain, but not locally.

 

[dane775]

bcastner - ummm...not sure what the ramifications of that are.

I know when I log on as administrator...I have to logon to "this computer" instead of using the normal network logon.

Is that what you're referring to?

I thought I did the same thing with my laptop. Log on as administrator to "this comp"....then go to control panel and make my normal User name have admin privilges.

Are you saying I probably didn't do that??...(cuz I don't remember for sure)

 

[bcastner]

Something like that.
"This computer" is a local logon to XP, not a Domain logon. You likely have noticed the desktop looks different than your Domain logon. You can, as Administrator, install software .etc on the local console, or elevate the user types if they have local machine usernames.

However, once you logon to the Domain you receive your Domain desktop and Group Policy applies. (What you installed locally may or may not appear on this desktop, and depending on Group Policy settings, may or may not work in this Domain context.)

The Domain Admins are not necessarily local console Administrators. Nor is it necessary that the locally defined Administrator apply to your desktop as well.

Try logging in as Administrator in Safe Mode on the desktop. I suspect you will find that the local administrator account created for the laptop was not duplicated on the desktop system.

 

[dane775]

bcastner - *laughing at me*...believe it or not, that actually made sense to me..*grin*

Thanks much...

One of these days I'm going to get off my lazy duff and learn a bit more about MS networking...(prolly not till after football season...*l*)

Thanks again...

Dane