Error when changing start up menu: Have to be logged as administrator. I don't know how?

Question

On my own computer that no one else uses, I tried to go in and change the start up menu. It said: I have to be logged in as administrator. I AM the administrator if this is my computer aren't I? How do I get in to change the start up items and/or login as administrator. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

If you have Windows XP Pro, try the method given on the following page:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using...

If you have XP Home Edition, restart your computer and when the screen goes dark, keep hitting the F8 key on your keyboard. Don't keep it pressed, hit it repeatedly. You will get a text-only screen with various options.

Use the arrow keys to go to "Start Windows in Safe Mode" and hit Enter.

Windows will then ask you which Operating System you want to use. Most probably you have only one Operating System installed and "Windows XP" will be highlighted. If it is, hit Enter. If other Operating Systems are installed, they will be listed and you have to use the arrow keys to highlight "Windows XP" before hitting Enter.

Then your computer will appear to have gone crazy, with your screen filled with gobbledygook. Don't worry, this is normal for Windows XP starting in Safe mode.

After a while, you will see a screen with two options, "Administrator" and whatever name was assigned to you when Windows was installed.

Click Administrator.

Windows will then display a message telling you all about Safe Mode. Don't bother to read, just hit OK and you should be fine.

After making whatever changes you want to make, restart your computer.

All the best.