Just installed Vista and cant set up an Admin

Stabshauptmann

Hi all,

I really hate having to ask this question, because Im far from a n00b, but I think Im going to pull my hair out if I dont solve this soon.

I got a new laptop today, and it came with Vista Home Basic SP1. I followed all the steps, and am now frustrated to find that the only account created does not have administrator privileges.

I cannot add a new account, or add privileges to my account as I am not the administrator.

I know normally with vista when you need administrator privileges a pop-up appears and there is a box to insert the password.
I get that pop-up, but there is nowhere to put in a password!

Can someone please tell me what obvious step I forgot or did wrong?

Soundman

Did you try Google???

Stabshauptmann

Yes, all the advice I could find was about unlocking the hidden computer admin a/c.

A) I just need a "normal" admin ac

you cannot unlock the hidden computer admin ac without having an account with admin priviliges already.


So advice about run command as admin, or just create an admin ac in user account control won't work becuase both those steps require you to have an admin ac already.

So does anyone know what to do / encountered this before?

I ran cmd net user. In addition to the ac I am using there are apparently two other acs, Admin and Guest. But when I go to switch user I can only see this ac. Any ideas?

mp22

start in safe mode you should be able to get into a admin ac set up you account from there

Stabshauptmann

thank you. I dont undertand why I have a choice in safe mode but not in normal boot up, but thanks

mukki

if UAC works okay in safe mode, then disable UAC in safe mode

ie...


boot into safe mode

run msconfig
goto the tools tab
click disable UAC
click launch

reboot pc