Need some Windows 2000 Pro help

  • Thread starter Magic069
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Magic069

Magic069

5,891
Alright all you computer smart people out there. Work just got a new computer for me. I can not install any new programs on this computer, keeps bringing up a message saying I need Admin. rights to do such an action.

My question to you, is how do I get Admin rights, without messing up the computer to much. I know this is a simple Windows trick, probably a deleting of a password file. I was thinking the .pwl files.

Let me know what I can do to get total control of this computer! I can't even create a file for myself on the C drive!
 
Win2k is built around the security as run by the Security Accounts Manager. So the only way you can get admin rights is to log in as administrator, and assign them to your login account.

Administrative rights tend to cover things like installation of programs, hardware etc, and maintenance of the User Accounts database. So if you're not the system administrator (which is probably fairly likely!!), you will need to get the sysadmin to give you some more rights. They can make you a member of the Power User group, which will allow you to add programs, manage other's print jobs etc, but not do any of the more serious stuff that can break the PC. If they're not bothered, get them to make you a member of Administrators, but it's not advisable to log in and run the machine with admin rights unless (a) you know what you're doing, and (b) any permanent (i.e. cable/dsl/t1 etc) internet connection is protected by a firewall.

Hope that helps some. Basically, without the co-operation of the sysadmin, you're screwed. And don't go looking for pwl files, as there aren't any!
 
Originally posted by mayorbill11
re-install windows.
Click to expand...

A rebuild will cure the issue, but since Magic is using a work PC, this will land him with some sort of disciplinary action as no company wants the users rebuilding the machines, especially since they've taken the trouble to install a secure OS. And that's before you consider the likelihood of him being able to get his hands on the requisite media, and being able to replicate all the settings he needs.

So, looks like no AIM for you Magic.
 
Just for poops and giggles, try making a new profile under "Users/Profiles" and give that new user "Admin" access and rights..

It probably won't work, but it's worth a shot...

I have a IM poping up that I need to get...

later....
 
found it, double clicked, and it asks for an admin password even just to open the users file.

They got this thing tied down. I am in computer jail, I can't do anything without permission. :(
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Win2k is built around the security as run by the Security Accounts Manager. So the only way you can get admin rights is to log in as administrator, and assign them to your login account.

Administrative rights tend to cover things like installation of programs, hardware etc, and maintenance of the User Accounts database. So if you're not the system administrator (which is probably fairly likely!!), you will need to get the sysadmin to give you some more rights. They can make you a member of the Power User group, which will allow you to add programs, manage other's print jobs etc, but not do any of the more serious stuff that can break the PC. If they're not bothered, get them to make you a member of Administrators, but it's not advisable to log in and run the machine with admin rights unless (a) you know what you're doing, and (b) any permanent (i.e. cable/dsl/t1 etc) internet connection is protected by a firewall.

Hope that helps some. Basically, without the co-operation of the sysadmin, you're screwed. And don't go looking for pwl files, as there aren't any!
Click to expand...
HOW DO you log in as an administrator? Is there a password u know?
 
Originally posted by Magic069
found it, double clicked, and it asks for an admin password even just to open the users file.

They got this thing tied down. I am in computer jail, I can't do anything without permission. :(
Click to expand...

You could try asking for the password....

You could try booting into safe mode... then... Oh wait... Never mind. :D
 
Originally posted by Pako


You could try asking for the password....

You could try booting into safe mode... then... Oh wait... Never mind. :D
Click to expand...

You know I did, in a sneaky way, but like a game of poker, they called my bluff, and came up with a simple solution to my problem.

I am trying not to raise to many eyebrows around here. I just rather have my old computer, cause this programs settings are all screwed up as well... All my drawing prints are coming out light, instead of dark black... :mad:
 
IF you're prepared to wait a while you could always leave the computer trying to crack it's own admin pwd, but it would probably have to be done by brute force which takes ages.

Plus of course, doing that is not only an internal matter, it's almost certinally illegal under your country's version of the UK's "Computer misuse act"
 
You know about 75% of the time the admins just leave the password as "admin." It's a common practice just in case someone get's fired, and didn't write down "Googleplex99j" ;)
 
Originally posted by Tom McDonnell
You know about 75% of the time the admins just leave the password as "admin." It's a common practice just in case someone get's fired, and didn't write down "Googleplex99j" ;)
Click to expand...

nope... damn! :mad:
 
If you are an cad drafter (you mentioned drawings) you could ask to be assigned as a power user, because some of your settings in your cad program are unavailible as a restricted user.(may not be true, but would make a good bluff)
As for admin passwords, try the Admins name, wife's name, kids, dog, cat, car, sometimes it's the company name, or even blank!
 
Originally posted by gtjem
If you are an cad drafter (you mentioned drawings) you could ask to be assigned as a power user, because some of your settings in your cad program are unavailible as a restricted user.(may not be true, but would make a good bluff)
As for admin passwords, try the Admins name, wife's name, kids, dog, cat, car, sometimes it's the company name, or even blank!
Click to expand...

thanks for the tips... I tried all of those. They aren't bitting, and those words aren't working.
 
Originally posted by Magic069


thanks for the tips... I tried all of those. They aren't bitting, and those words aren't working.
Click to expand...

Magic, don't forget NOT to log in to the domain - you want local access only. I'm assuming you've tried not entering a password.

Now my recommendation, as a 3rd-line IT support person is this:

Lay off this crusade for a while. The system will record every single login failure in the security log. This coupled with a couple of spurious helpdesk calls, and an internet log that features several visits to a page called "Need some Windows 2000 Pro help" are lining you up for some disciplinary action.

I know I'm sounding like the one who spoiled the party, but this isn't worth losing your job over, and if there's one thing IT people don't like, it's users trying to hack their way to a higher level of priviledges.

Let it lie for a couple months, is my advice.

PM me if you want to talk a bit more.

G
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie


Magic, don't forget NOT to log in to the domain - you want local access only. I'm assuming you've tried not entering a password.

Now my recommendation, as a 3rd-line IT support person is this:

Lay off this crusade for a while. The system will record every single login failure in the security log. This coupled with a couple of spurious helpdesk calls, and an internet log that features several visits to a page called "Need some Windows 2000 Pro help" are lining you up for some disciplinary action.

I know I'm sounding like the one who spoiled the party, but this isn't worth losing your job over, and if there's one thing IT people don't like, it's users trying to hack their way to a higher level of priviledges.

Let it lie for a couple months, is my advice.

PM me if you want to talk a bit more.

G
Click to expand...

I plan to do exactly that. I am, kinda over it I guess. Just a huge let down in the begining, so used to having AIM on all the time.
 
Hey Magic, although I'm not a Win2000 user and this may be pointless, you might want to see if you can get Trillian (it appears there site is down at the moment, keep checking back) to work on your machine. You'll still be able to log in to your account, but you just won't be using the standard software. It's worth a try...good luck! :)
 
Originally posted by Jordan
Hey Magic, although I'm not a Win2000 user and this may be pointless, you might want to see if you can get Trillian (it appears there site is down at the moment, keep checking back) to work on your machine. You'll still be able to log in to your account, but you just won't be using the standard software. It's worth a try...good luck! :)
Click to expand...
If it modifies the registry, it won't work. I'm using it on a Win2K machine, and I think it probably does just that. For a start, it uses the System Tray, so I would think you'll need admin rights for it too.

And Trillian's AIM support is a little flaky...

Nice idea J, but it's pretty much destined not to work. :(
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie

If it modifies the registry, it won't work. I'm using it on a Win2K machine, and I think it probably does just that. For a start, it uses the System Tray, so I would think you'll need admin rights for it too.

And Trillian's AIM support is a little flaky...

Nice idea J, but it's pretty much destined not to work. :(
Click to expand...
Oh well... :(
 
I should point out the obvious...

1) even if you suceed in this, you've still broken the law.
2) even if you can install it on your machine, there's no guarentee the network will let it work.
 
This whole conversation is what microsoft intended when they built windows 2000... It is one of the most secure OS's on the market...

The only way you will solve this is to get the ADmin to give you admin rights, or hack into the computer....

However... Hacking is illegal in most western countries.... And could get you fired, jailed ect...

I know lots of administrators who could care less what you load onto the computers and will give you admin rights...
 
Originally posted by Jordan
Hey Magic, although I'm not a Win2000 user and this may be pointless, you might want to see if you can get Trillian (it appears there site is down at the moment, keep checking back) to work on your machine. You'll still be able to log in to your account, but you just won't be using the standard software. It's worth a try...good luck! :)
Click to expand...

Nice try Jordan... As Giles said, it didn't work. Its all good, I think I am throwing in the towel for now. I am gonna wait for that one day when I will need Admin rights for something. Its gonna happen. Until then, I have GTP to entertain me. :D
 

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