"Administrative Privileges" won't attach to "User Accounts"

is224sac · Joined: Feb 08, 2003 Posts: 50

I have a standalone Computer with WindowsXPSP2. Neither, the Windows required "Administrator Account" with password, nor the 2 "Usser Accounts" that I created with Administrative Privileges will allow me to start/stop "Services" when using MSCONFIG. Starting/Stopping a Service gives an error message that I can not initiate the action because "I do not have Administrative Previleges". Is there anyone with any pointers as to how to correct this problem?

greyknight17 · Joined: Feb 03, 2003 Posts: 5674 Location: Brooklyn, NY

Why are you stopping/starting services via msconfig? That's a no-no...

Go to Start->Run and type in services.msc and hit OK. Start/Stop the services there instead Smile

is224sac · Joined: Feb 08, 2003 Posts: 50

Thanks for the Reply, and you are right. Initially I was advised "msconfig" could be used to start/stop startup programs (In conjunction with removing short cuts from the "Startup Folder") which on my computer does not seem to have anything in it. Its is there (msconfig) I observed the "tab" for Services". I later read it was better to use "Services.msc" to stop/start, services. Many of the Forums I read indicate that all services that run are not needed and list some that it is safe to shut down. As an experiment, I like trying these different things. Anyway, this is where I encountered the message "I did not have Administrative Privileges" sufficient to stop/start a Service.

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2636

It's not a good idea to change any of the services unless you know exactly what you are doing. Some of the services are dependent on other services. You can seriously break things.

Go here http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
to see what is safe to change.

is224sac · Joined: Feb 08, 2003 Posts: 50

Thank you "zlim" the URL is appreciated. But, the question is still how do I get the "Permission" to change Services.msc if I did choose to? Any pointers toward the installation/changing/enableing or management of Permissions will be appreciated. I am totally in the dark.

Thanks again

kenmabmcc

goretsky

Hello,

Which edition of Microsoft Windows XP are you running? Do you normally have to type in a username and password to log in when the computer starts up, or does the operating system automatically boot to the Desktop without you having to take any action?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

is224sac · Joined: Feb 08, 2003 Posts: 50

Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600); Version: 2002

I haven't been able to find the "tweak" to boot to the desktop. I boot to a login screen where I do not have to login. I click once on an Avatar, representing my single user account, that supposedly has "Administrator Privileges" and the boot continues to the desktop.

greyknight17 · Joined: Feb 03, 2003 Posts: 5674 Location: Brooklyn, NY

Maybe it's not an administrator account after all?

Try booting to Safe Mode and logging in with the default Administrator account there. See if you can change the services there. Also, check the Control Panel->User Accounts and see if your regular username (the one you log into every day) is set to be Administrator. If not, set it now.

legend_5 · Joined: Jun 10, 2008 Posts: 3

has anyone found a fix for this?

my account HAS admin rights but after logging in I can do anything that requires admin rights/priviledges. If I go to device manager I get the error that I can't make changes, same for changing user accounts.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 924

Do you know how to work with RIGHT & PRIVILEGES as in XP PRO or SERVER? - If so you can get to this booting xp HOME in safe mode & the tab for it will show up. If you do NOT then I wouldn't be messing around there as you CAN even take away ADMIN's privileges.

I would suspect that what is happening is that for whatever reason, what you are trying to do is NOT in the administrators (or your users group) as having permission to do so. Even though you are logged on ADMIN, there are certain things that only the SYSTEM has permissions for. I can even set my OWN login to block the ADMIN from getting to it and it will give the same error.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 924

legend_5 · Joined: Jun 10, 2008 Posts: 3

thanks for the reply.

the computer will sometimes allow me to do "admin" things. it seems that if I logon and quickly get to "my computer" "properties" hardware tab" "device manager", then I can make changes. other times if I wait or if I'm not fast enought, I get "you don't have proper priviledges" msg.

I have tried using msconfig to stop all startup programs, no help. safe mode, no help.

I go to user accounts in the control panel and there are no users listed, so I can't change them either. I use rundll32.exe to access user accounts and there it shows me as having admin rights.

I have 4 accts, 2 limited users and 2 admin users, along with the built in administrator acct. Even the built in acct has the problem.

I also did a clean install of xp and the problem came back after many weeks.

legend_5 · Joined: Jun 10, 2008 Posts: 3

I do a scan offen and have even taken the HD out and slaved it to another computer and used a different AV program, found nothing.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 924

The only other things that come to mind at the present are a weak or bad CMOS batt. but unlikely that is changing your privileges (always worth a check, anyway) or a hardware problem such as memory or CPU.

I once had 3 notebooks that had bad CPU's & caused all kinds of **** with settings & such. After I figured out the 1st on the other two just about hit the trash can. & the service reps were the pits on this, as well (why I won't deal with junk from ****)

Suggest checking that batt. & doing a hardware scan.