How to deal with System 5 Error?

I have unsuccessfully followed option two at the url: Built-in Administrator Account - Enable or Disable
and executing the command: net user administrator /active:yes returns system error 5. Please see the screen shot attached.

The other options I have tried are also unsuccessful.

I would be glad of any guidance as to how I can deal with this error.

Malcolm Walker

Lemur said:

Try running at an elevated command prompt.

Elevated Command Prompt

Thank you for your response.

The screen shot with my OP is of an elevated command prompt. To the best of my knowledge opening a non elevated command prompt will return: C:\Users\[name] as the prompt.

Whereas opening an elevated command prompt will return:
C:\Windows\system32 as the prompt. This is as shown in my screen shot.

So I can confirm that the system 5 error occurs from an elevated command prompt. I would be glad of any guidance as to how I can deal with this error.

Malcolm Walker

Well, let's take a look at this Microsoft KB Article: "System error 5 has occurred. Access is denied." error message may appear Besides, I think you're doing it the hard way, you can go to Local Users and Groups within Computer Management and enable the account through there.

If you are running an elevated command prompt, the title (top of window border) will say Administrator:Command Prompt

Darician said:

Well, let's take a look at this Microsoft KB Article: "System error 5 has occurred. Access is denied." error message may appear

I have looked in detail at MSKB article 555644 and have not found anything to assist me. The check list in italics follows with my comments in plain type.

1. Verity correct time zone and clock synchronization:
To do this administrator rights are needed. Administrator rights are not available to me - hence the need to enable the hidden Administrator.
Windows Time Service Technical Reference
http://technet2.microsoft.com/Window...6e2101033.mspx
Going to this URL returns:
Server Error in '/WINDOWSSERVER' Application. Runtime Error

2. Verity correct permissions on the remote host.
Tip: A useful that can be used is: (GPResult.exe) Command Line Tool
How to Use the Group Policy Results (GPResult.exe) Command Line Tool
How to Use the Group Policy Results (GPResult.exe) Command Line Tool
3. Open the required ports on the remote computer.
As I am not accessing a remote computer I wonder how items 2 and 3 could be relevant?

4. Verity that the computer account is active and the computer connect to the domain.
Tip: A useful that can be used is: Netdom.exe Command Line Tool Netdom.exe
Netdom Overview: Networking and Communications
The article at this URL is dated 28th March 2003 and relates to network connections applicable to Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2. There is no reference to Windows 7

5. Verity correct replication in the Active Directory Replication.
Troubleshooting File Replication Service
Troubleshooting File Replication Service
Network issues seem to be related to the File Replication Service.

To sum up the commonly stated method of making the hidden Adminstrator account available at Windows log-in doesn't work on my system. So does it work for any of the contributors to this thread? Or maybe I have a rogue upgrade to Windows 7 from XP Home? I did follow the upgrade instructions very carefully at the time.

Gentlemen of the Windows SevenForums I need your help.

Malcolm Walker

Go to c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe.
Right click cmd.exe and select Run as Administrator".

I don't know why your system doesn't elevate from the normal command prompt.

pbcopter said:

Go to c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe.
Right click cmd.exe and select Run as Administrator".

Thank you but unfortunately the behaviour remains consistent with the same error message being returned:
(The command prompt window is titled C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe that from another reply in this thread indicates the command prompt is not elevated.)

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Windows\System32>net user administrator /active:yes
System error 5 has occurred.
Access is denied.
C:\Windows\System32>

pbcopter said:

I don't know why your system doesn't elevate from the normal command prompt.

Then it surely follows that as my system doesn't appear to elevate the command prompt has to be related to the System 5 error. I'll try searching on that error again and will report in due course.

In the meantime my thanks to the contributors to this thread; for your interest and the time you have taken to respond. It is very much appreciated.

Malcolm Walker