problems putting password on Administrator XP

[snagel]

Just tried putting a password on Windows XP Home edition. using the following method.

Applying a password to the 'administrator' account in

All versions of Windows XP come with a built in administrator account. In the case of XP Home, this account can only be accessed in safe mode. Unfortunately, the administrative account in XP Home has no password by default, meaning anyone who knows how to launch windows in safe mode could potentially see your data.
To password protect the administrator account in XP Home: Restart your system. Just after the memory and BIOS check screen, but before the Windows splash screen comes up, press F8 a few times. When the Windows boot menu appears, select 'safe mode' from the list of options.
Once Windows XP has loaded into safe mode, go to 'start\control panel\user accounts' select the administrator account and apply a password to it. Restart normally.



This did not work. When I went into the Administrator account icon and then selected to put a password in, it froze and would not let me do any key strokes or keyboard functions at all. I could not exit out of the entry without hitting the on/off switch. Am I missing something or doing something wrong. please advise me. Your help will be appreciated.
Thanks snagel

[Gary D]

http://kb.iu.edu/data/anro.html

You got to love the power of google

[locoeng]

http://kb.iu.edu/data/anro.html

You got to love the power of google

Yes, it is something to behold isn't it?

[Chewy]

I have run into a few virus/trojans that exploited a vulnerability in XP and installed by logging onto the admin account and locking it down.

Certainly hope this is not the case, I remember reloading those computers long ago and far away

[snagel]

re: chewy

I have run into a few virus/trojans that exploited a vulnerability in XP and installed by logging onto the admin account and locking it down.

Certainly hope this is not the case, I remember reloading those computers long ago and far away

I have done several AVG virus scans and also spyware scans with ADAware SE and SPYBOt search and destroy from the SAFE MODE and they have all come back clean with no problems reported. After shutting down with the on/off button I was able to restart and use the computer with no problems at all. It just would not allow me to use the mouse or the keyboard while in the safe mode an in the Administrator login.

Just a thought I have administrator rights on my personal login and I do have a password on it to login, would this stop or interfere with putting a password on the Administrator icon in the safe mode.

[snagel]

deleting password content after placing it.

Out of curiosity, after you put a password on the Administrator login .

How do you remove the password completely or undo the password content that you just put in.

[Chewy]

In safe mode go to control panel/users

did norton's ever have hold of this?

[snagel]

re: chewy

In safe mode go to control panel/users

did norton's ever have hold of this?

No, I have never had Norton's. Had McAfee for about 1 year and now use AVG personal. (free).
When I go to control panel/users I see the option to change passwords but not to remove passwords completely.

Chewy, this is wierd as hell, last night I went into this exactly the same as I did previously and this time for some reason unknown it did let me put in a password this time. Never did anything different at all, the previous nights before it would not give me curser control or keyboard functions.
I am just curious as hell what you have to do to remove it completely.

[Chewy]

to remove a password just enter a null one

eg, nothing