User Account Sharing Issues

Wow, what a frustrating day!

Well my problems started when I began setting up a multi-room Sonos audio system. The system is great but the software just would not let me add a shared folder to create the library. Whilst I was installing the software, it tried to do a couple of things to windows to enable the installation. E.g. Set sleep time to never and add it as an approved programme through the fire wall. Neither of these worked and I had to do them myself before the installation would carry on.

So I rang Sonos support who tried a few things and then we discovered that although I had administrator rights on that account I could not do quite a few things. For example if I go into control panel.user accounts I cannot add or remove a user account, I cannot change my user type or name etc etc When I click these links nothing happens.

It seems there is some kind of user account corruption going on. I created a new account & that works fine with both the Sonos software and I can also make the account changes I would expect. It seems a massive job though to transfer all my settings from one account to another.

Any clues as I am out of inspiration.

If you're using the 32-bit version, Windows Update provides a fix for the permissions problem.

If that doesn't apply,

Right-click on the drive letter, choose properties, click the Security tab, , click the Edit button, select your username in the list and check the Full Control checkbox.

No joy unfortunately. The software says everything is up-to-date & the manual fix doesn't change either issue.

repair the comp?
Re-install?

What do you mean by repair the comp?

In terms of a win7 re-install I was kind of trying to avoid having to do that!

I think the creation of a new user and transferring all of the files is probably preferrable

I actually used this when I updated from XP to Win7 and it worked a treat. I never thought of using it in these circumstances, what a great idea! I will let you know how I get on.

Here is a little trick of the trades... when you have either windows 7 or windows vista and it saids your the administrator....true true you can make changes but you are definintly not the "true admin"

this is how you enable that:

locate your cmd.exe (right click, run as admin)

type in: net user administrator /active:yes (then enter)
this will activate the true admin account

log off and it will be in your welcome screen.
log in and do what you need to do.
when you are logged in... remember to password that account
by alt + ctrl + del (change password)

then when you are done with the account
log back into your account, go back into the CMD.exe
type: net user administrator /active:no (hit enter)

Been limping on not dealing with this problem but tonights the night!!

I will let you know how I get on. I am assuming I will need to delete the corrupt user before I reinstall the data. As a default will Windows Live Mail messages move over?