Why can't I give the Administrator account a name?

[357mag]

Okay, here is the deal. Before when I was loading Windows XP Pro I gave the Administrator account the name of Randy. And after that, I created an additional limited account and gave it the name Tim.

Now I just put in a new motherboard and some new parts, and unfortunately at one point during the install Windows flashed up this message:

Windows will now adjust your screen resolution to the best...

Problem was the screen froze completely right then and there. The only thing I could do was to hit the Reboot button. So the rest of the screens that I was used to seeing during the install, I never got to see.

Now I just created a limited account called Tim, which is fine. But I want to give the Administrator account the name of Randy, just like I did before. But it does not appear that I can do that.

Can anyone help here? Or do I gotta re-do everything to get it the way I want?

Unless I used another Administrator account to delete the first Administrator account, and then gave the new Administrator account the name.

Also, I was a bit worried since my system froze up when Windows presented that screen talking about adjusting resolution. Do you think my Windows installation still went okay?

[glc]

You need to use the builtin "Administrator" account to add, edit, or remove accounts when you don't have any user accounts with administrative privileges. Turn off the welcome screen so you get the traditional login prompt and log in as Administrator.

[liambl]

Originally Posted by glc Turn off the welcome screen so you get the traditional login prompt and log in as Administrator.

Or boot in safe mode.

[glc]

Safe mode is the *only* way to log in to the Administrator account with XP Home, but this is Pro.

[357mag]

Okay, I now have two accounts: I have Randy which is my computer administrator, and Tim which is my limited account.

Is there another hidden administrator account somewhere in XP? That's kind of the impression I get. Can that be deleted? I don't really need two administrator accounts, so should I delete Randy's account and somehow call up the built-in hidden administrator account and give that the name of Randy?

[357mag]

Yeah, there is some default hidden Administrator account. I can rename it, but what is dumb is I can't use it to delete another Administrator account. In order to do that, I have to create another normal user account, and make that an Administrator, then use that to delete the previous Administrator account.

Kinda dumb.

[glc]

That default Administrator account may save your butt someday - I'd strongly advise you not to mess with it and do not under ANY circumstances try to rename it.