Setting up hubby's own User Account...HELP!

mommabear · Joined: Feb 20, 2003 Posts: 6325

After nearly 10 years of having the computer to myself 99.9% of the time, the hubby had now decided he wants to "learn it". At the moment for him, that means doing email, browse Google, and make trips to YouTube.

So I set him up today as a restricted user. I got his email account imported, got his profile set up in FF.

Now, in my account (as admin) I have WMP9 installed, but I'm using the media player classic from the XP Codec Pack as my default player. Plus, I've installed the all-in-one 6030 codec pack. With that setup, I can play or stream almost anything, online or offline.

So, I go into hubby's My Music to see what happens. I'm thinking that since he says he wants to "learn it" (Windows), I'll set him up for WMP. I click the sample music and the classic player comes up, but it won't play it because it says it's missing codecs or whatever. Ok. I try "open with" WMP, and I'm also thinking that's when I can set it as his default player.

Instead, I get the dialog to install WMP.

(btw, after all that, I made him an admin to see if that made any difference. It doesn't. I get the same thing.)

So, I guess what I'm asking is, if I install WMP in his account, is it going to mess up my stuff or will it somehow just stick for him in his account?

And I suppose I'm wondering if other programs come up that need "reinstalling" in his account, will they also stay separate in that respect?

kenmabmcc · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:20 am Post subject:

Perhaps you need an updated codec pack
http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

And how to install
http://techdigger.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/how-to-switch-media-player-...ssic-co

goretsky

Hello,

It would probably be best to check with the author of the software, but I am thinking that as long as the software uses the various per-user objects for storing configuration information (e.g., the %USERPROFILE% directory, the [HKEY_CURRENT_USER] registry hive and so forth) then it should be fine, especially if the software runs properly wotj his account credentials after the installation.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2747

Does he have his own login? If so, you will need to install Media Player Classic (hopefully with the k-lite codec pack) so everything works.
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/k_lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htm

mommabear · Joined: Feb 20, 2003 Posts: 6325

Yes, I've set it up so his name (account) comes up, along with mine. Neither is set with a password.

This is where I'm getting confused. The questions began with WMP wanting to install in his account, but I guess it could apply to any other software that I've already installed in my account (as admin) but is in his Start Menu. If the software doesn't work for him or says it has to be installed, is it okay to reinstall it again when he's logged on in his account?

Will the installation intuit that the program is already installed but just pick him up as a user now?

Or if it completely installs again for him, what happens to my side of the computer? Do I end up with 2 of everything in add/remove? lol!

Edit: I guess I should add this info:

XP Home SP2
Fat32
FF 2.0.0.16
IE6

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2747

Sorry, first I don't run XP and second, all my computers only have one user account -me. When I install something, sometimes I'm asked if I want it to install it just for me or for all users.
I think if you look at Documents and Setting then All Users, you will see what has been installed for your account and any future account created - but I'm not positive.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

Most installs will ask you if you want it only for yourself or for ALL if you want it for all then you have to tell it so, otherwise the others won't "see" it. For the programs that don't, not sure what is the CORRECT method but I HAVE just copied over the shortcuts to the other users & it SEEMS to work OK. (use the latter at your own risk - image backup before starting)

Try googling on multi-user install of programs...

mommabear · Joined: Feb 20, 2003 Posts: 6325

I did Google...for hours! lol! I copied and pasted suggestions from several hits. I think I found a tip similar to what you did, Baby_Tux.

I think I'm sorted for now. Come to find out, those sample music files in My Music...well, they won't play in my media player classic either in my account. lol! Hubby and I both got the "ACM Wrapper::Output error. But they play in WMP. No big deal. As I said before, my account and media players are set up to my liking. I just wasn't sure about what to do to get WMP going in his account.

So, with my trusty Ghost Image in hand, I decided to bite the bullet and see what would happen if hubby installed WMP while logged into his account. The whole thing was over in about 4 seconds and he has WMP as his default player now. So, I guess Windows figured it out, no thanks to me sweating bullets about it all day.

Down the line there might be some other software I'll have to reinstall to see if there's an "all user" setting that I didn't use before, but he's set up now for the basics. This should keep him busy for awhile.

Thanks everybody.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

Google for hours - yeah - I've (literally) done it for DAYS trying to find an answer. Don't know which is worse, not finding a thing or being overwhelmed by BS...

Glad to hear I was of SOME help.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2238 Location: Central FL, USA

It never ceases to amaze me, that some programs will install in just the current users folder and some will install in the "All Users" folder.

But I too have found that if you just copy a shortcut from one users' folder to anothers', the program will run just fine. You need NOT reinstall the program for each user.

I'm all the time removing users from customers PC's because it just causes too much confusion....and of course there's that obnoxious log-on menu to contend with when you have more than one user.

A husband and wife should be able to share a computer without each one having to have their own private log-in and desktop.

Happy Computing!
The Doctor Cool

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2747

kenmabmcc

mommabear · Joined: Feb 20, 2003 Posts: 6325

pasquanel · Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 517 Location: Maine

pcrattail · Joined: Jun 11, 2004 Posts: 406

mommabear · Joined: Feb 20, 2003 Posts: 6325

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2238 Location: Central FL, USA

If you want a second PC for him to putz around with, come on down and I'll give you one, or two, or three, etc. Laughing

My house is overrun with PC's.
At last count I had 19, in house.
I just picked up another one yesterday and I don't even know where I'm going to put it. It's still in my car!

Cheers!
The Doctor Cool

mommabear · Joined: Feb 20, 2003 Posts: 6325

I would be in hog heaven with half that amount of "spares" to tinker with, doc. Our oldest has one in her closet that is earmarked for Dad if he wants it later on. I think it's a Compaq, probably PII era. Good enough to fool around with. He'll never be a serious user anyway.

I'm always on the lookout come heavy trash day and at garage sales. I've seen a few now and then, but I can't get him to stop the car. lol! So I content myself by reinstalling and setting up my friends and family computers when they mess themselves up. They aren't inclined to do it themselves. Which is fine with me, because then they think I'm some kind of genius.

pc7wizard

pcrattail · Joined: Jun 11, 2004 Posts: 406

BTW ..............
There is a program called........ SteadyState.
It is a FREE program for "specific" Windows Users.
You are supposed to be able to attach a persons "log-in" onto it, and it is "supposed" to make sure any "changes" accidentally made by that "log-in" will be erased and not cause too much damage to the PC.

It is a Microsoft Program.
It is/was intended for Schools, Libraries, and Internet Cafes.......... Should work FINE for Home Use.