Windows 7: User accounts issue. Can't create 2nd account.

Ok so here's my problem.

This has all stemmed and started from an issue I'm having trying to play The Sims 3. I'll try to keep it short on THAT issue.

Basically, I've installed The Sims 3 and every EP. IT worked FINE but then adding a user mod caused it to corrupt the exe or something because I couldn't then get it to launch. After wiping The Sims 3 off COMPLETELY CLEAN and reinstalling all again WITHOUT the user mod. It loads and runs fine EXCEPT when clicking on 'Create a Household' it then CTDs EVERYTIME with an appcrash and fault module being d3d9.dll.

I've tried EVERYTHING to correct that, including reinstalling directx. NOTHING works.

Ok SO. I thought maybe trying it on a new user account. So I created one but upon logging off it is nowhere to be seen in the login choices and instead just shows my usual Admin account I use everyday and a blank box named as 'Other Users'

I rebooted and when it restarts it stops before desktop loads and comes up with the default Admin logo (the flower) and says 'your account has been disabled. Please contact the administrator'.

I managed to get things back to how they were fairly easily but HOW can I stop this happening and how can I do the simple thing of creating a new user/admin account????


Please help.

Many thanks.

Hello Bazerk,

Try this: uninstall all Sims user created content as well as the game and all EPs. Log in as an administrator and run this tool: SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

You might instead consider doing a system restore if you have one to a point before the trouble began: System Restore. make sure you try an SFC scan (linked above) after if you do do this to make sure everything is working well.

Check to make sure you have installed all of the lastest microsoft updates.

Into your start menu search bar, type "DXDIAG" without quotes and click it. Let the diagnostic run. It should tell you which version of directx you have installed on your system. If you have a 64bit system, click Run 64bit Diagnostic.

Be careful with user created content, not all of it is safe or stable.

With your completely updated antivirus, perform a full scan an your system. Sometimes the Antivirus itself could interfer and cause problems. Consider temporarily disabling it when next you decide to install the Sims game.

Directx should be installed already or installed with the game install. You shouldn't have to go to the internet to find it in download form.

Credit:
all tutorials created by Brink.

When you say login as administrator are you talking about my usual day to day admin account that I use? Because if so, I've tried the sfc in cmd as admin and if found no problems.

- I've tried doing a system restore there are no restore points dated before the problems arised (probably because i rebooted so often from uninstalling and reinstalling things to try and get this problem to work). Also, I tried the very oldest restore point and it failed. I tried other points and they failed too.

- I'd already installed all the windows updates prior to this.

- I've ran dxdiag, I have directx 11.

- I've already ran a fully updated full malware scan of every HDD using malwarebytes anti-malware and I've ran a full virus scan on a fully updated Kaspersky PURE. Nothing found on either. I've also ran a deep scan with a fully updated avanced system care pro which included a registry scan, registry clean, registry defrag, full smart defrag (defrag and fully optimize) on every HDD, shortcut fix scan, junk files clean etc. etc.

- Ive updated my graphics drivers and did so with a clean install using driver sweeper. I've rolled back my drivers, again using the same clean method.

- I also always run my games without any other background programs running except .... hmmmm.... wait a second... I've literally just realised something. installed D3Doverrider recently and have it running to force triple buffering on Fallout 3, I should check the list to see if The Sims 3 is in there. Maybe that's the problem... though at this point I'm not holding my breath. Other than that the only other background program I leave running is Game Booster but i don't run Sims 3 through it and I've tried running it through Game Booster with no successful fix.

MAn..... if it turns out to be d3doverrider I'll kick myself! I'll be ecstatic that I've finally resolved the problem (more because it's bugging me than the actual fact of not being able to play the game! lol) but I'll be annoyed at myself too for not thinking of this.

If it even solves anything at all ofcourse.

I'll keep you posted.

p.s. What about the user account issue I'm having. Any ideas?



-

Ok.... so.... this is the part where I hang my head in shame and tuck my tail between my legs. Lol.....
BECAUSE IT WORKED!!!!!

I'm half elated that I've solved the problem (Ironically not because I'm so desperate to play the game but more so because it's become and obsession, I HATE not being able to do anything on my PC that I KNOW I should be able to do! Yes, I'm anal that way,lol.)

Ok so, I know you're dying to know what it was, lol, ok maybe not.
I suddenly realised that I'd installed an app for triple buffering to help with screen tearing and vsync on Fallout 3.... well remember the issue with sims w3 was related to D3D9.dll? wellll the program is callllllled....

D3DOVERRIDER.....

Yes I know..... DOH!

It hadn't even occured to me. All these long winded workarounds I'd been trying and it was this tiny little app running quietly in the background.

DAMN YOU D3DOVERRIDER!!!!!

Thank you DustSailor, for your help and support trying to figure this out with me. I really appreciate it.

and finally.... as the gameshow says.... right now I feel I should say... I am NOT smarter than a 10 year old/5th grader. Lol.

Are you getting any other errors, specifically when trying to create a new user account? Also, please tell me how you solved the problem of having your account deactivated and reactivating it, and how you were able to log in.

The following link tells you how to edit the registry, which is very dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Be careful when ever you are editing the registry:
I cannot create a new user account (Windows 7): the user - Microsoft Answers - see if this helps any. Its all I got right now because I do not know the exact problem. Attempt to create another limited user account in the control panel. After this, go into the event viewer (type it into the start search bar and click it), expand 'Custom Views' and click 'Administrative Events'. Now follow the errors/warnings and see if there is anything listed there about a failure to create the account and copy the contents and post it here.

You might consider trying to do a repair install: Repair Install - it can fix so many problems. Tutorial created by Brink

I had thought the Nvidia 200 cards were Dx10 capable only. huh. Well, Dx11 is campatible with older Dx versions so you're fine there.

I would recommend against any "registry scan, registry clean, registry defrag, full smart defrag (defrag and fully optimize)", as this has too high a potential to jack up your system (which could be the cause here to begin with).
1. Registry cleaners are good in theory (the best being Ccleaner), but always have a chance of removing something important, at which point you've defeated any benefit (and believe me, any benefit is minimal).
2. Registry defragmenters... where to begin? Just know that they are absolutely not needed. Bad idea.
3. Computer 'optimizers' - Why? Any optimization can be done cleanly with windows tools, and other optimizers have a high risk of messing up what it needn't have touched to begin with. Any benifit is minimal. You'd be better off overclocking, and even that at times can be more trouble than it is worth.

I would prefer downloading drivers directly from their website, but the choice is yours.Try your best to keep the drivers as up to date as you can so long as the driver is stable and works for you. If rolling it back has no benefit, then don't do it.

I'd also recommend against the overrider, but any final decision will have to be made by you. As you can see, it has already gotten you into some trouble and may not be worth it in the long run. Perhaps I just error on the side of caution. But hey, with risk, you are either successful, or hit hard.

Well, glad you got it fixed. Lucky it was only that single program. Is the user account problem solved as well?