User account already exists

[directorz]

Hello experts,
I'm running XP Home and, as an administrator, am attempting to set up a user. The user name apparently was deleted or disabled as it does not show up in the user window. However, when I enter the user name, I get 'username already exists'. I know this can be corrected in XP Pro via My Computer / Manage, but how can I correct this in XP Home.

Thank you

Directorz

 

[gpalmer711]

Try Start > Run > "Control userpasswords2" (without quotes) > Click Ok

Should bring up advanced user dialogue



Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[directorz]

gpalmer711,
I have done this and the username is not listed anywhere

Directorz

 

[directorz]

Strange, the user is not listed but on attempt to add, a window says that the user already has permission to use this computer

Directorz

 

[directorz]

OK, here's a good one. I am able to enter the user name with no password and gain access to the computer. When I go to user accounts, the only user name I see is the one I logged in with, it has a red x thru it and I cannot do anything with it ( delete )...does anyone have any words of wisdom on this? ( the user is a guest account)

Directorz

 

[linney]

The first thing we need to know is how you set up this account. Did you do it via Control Panel/ User Accounts or via the Control Userpasswords2 window? Or did you just turn on the Guest Account and used that?

What do you mean by "the user is a guest account"?

What name did you give this Account, did you make him a member of the Guests group or Users group?

To delete a user profile.

You must be logged on as a computer administrator in order to complete this procedure.

Open System in Control Panel.

On the Advanced tab, under User Profiles, click Settings.
Under Profiles stored on this computer, click the user profile you want to delete, and then click Delete.

To open System, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.

After the above can you delete the account name from User Accounts?

 

[directorz]

linney,
the problem appears to be a result of a mischievious 10 year old so I really can't answer your questions. What I ended up doing is restoring to a point on July 1 which is before i think he got into it. Then, I reset the users, assigned new passwords and made sure that he has a limited acct. Boy, did I learn. That's enough of that! Thank you for your input. (I tried everything and was unable to delete the apparently disabled acct)

Directorz

 

[linney]

Sounds like a budding Computer Expert you have there, when is he going to join Tek-Tips and give us a hand.

There are plenty of mischievous 20+ year olds around too.