[RESOLVED] Hidden Admin account

A double whammy, first computer in my sig:

1-- Two programs I've tried installing, one needed for work, give me this exact error message. Didn't know there was a pattern till the 2nd program did it. (see image)

So I decided to install them with the Hidden Admin, however

2--When I switch to my Hidden Admin user, the desktop is black with only the cursor. Nothing works except Ctl+alt+del. I've found numerous answers online but not for my specific combo of circumstances.

This has been almost since I bought this computer, about 2.5 years ago, so Sys Restore isn't an option. And I did a Repair Install a few months ago, which did nothing..

I assume that the attached image is the error you get when you try to install while logged in to your regular account. Have you checked to make sure that the file in question actually exists at that path? What are the programs you are trying to install? That path looks like a folder generated by an installer that unzips files to that path.

You could try copying the files from that folder to a C:\Temp folder.

Right click on the install files and select RUN AS ADMIN.

You'll be prompted for the admins name and password.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve R Jones

Right click on the install files and select RUN AS ADMIN.

You'll be prompted for the admins name and password.

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Did that already, thanks. And there is no PW, so it doesn't prompt.

jdc--

The program I need for work is InquisitWebPlayer. I've just been skipping tasks involving that program.

https://www.millisecond.com/download/inquisitweb5.aspx

It's supposed to install in C:\Users\myusername\AppData\Roaming\MillisecondSoftware. It appears in that folder when I start installing, but then there's a message "Please Wait while Windows configures InquisitWebPlayer5." But it never finishes. When I cancel, the msi file disappears. There's nothing in Windows Temp.

I fooled it by copying the msi file to the desktop, then putting it into Windows\Temp, but I get a message "Source file not found:C\Windows\temp\IQWebPlayersetup1.cab. Verify that the file exists and that you can access it."

This has happened with both v4 and v5, so I think it's not just a corrupt installer.

The other program was something not vital, last week, and I don't remember what it was, except that the error message also involved an msi file with an identical error, except for the folder location.

Possibly useful links:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...led-or-removed

https://smallbusiness.chron.com/run-...ter-54903.html

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...r-windows.html
(Windows 10, but should be applicable to Windows 7 also.)

The Uninstaller/Installer fixer doesn't list my program, then sends me to the MS site for solutions.

The 3rd option produces a box called "Windows Installer v 5.0.7601.124195" with a bunch of DOS commands.

Onward, how do I get the Hidden Admin account to work?

If you are getting the black screen of nothing when you log in using the hidden Admin account, that likely means that the user profile for it is corrupted. The only fix for that is likely a complete reinstall of Windows, which you don't want to do. You could try logging in to that account in Safe Mode to see if it you can get a desktop display that way.

Safe Mode didn't work. Profile must be very delicate. I've used it maybe twice.

But I did get IQPlayer to install in my other computer.

What happened when you tried to log in to the hidden Admin user account in Safe Mode? Same black screen of nothing?

If you could not IQPlayer and your other program to install on this system, chances are you will have trouble installing anything else that uses a Windows Installer .msi file also.

Re:Hidden Admin. Same black screen. Why can't I disable it, the re-enable it it? It didn't have a desktop till I made one.

Re:msi. It installed on my other machine, also win7, so it's not tragic. One of the reasons I have 2 machines with almost identical programs. I think Win Update has screwed with this machine, and I've stopped it. I'm meeting many online users who are not doing the updates.

You an try disabling and then re-enabling the hidden Admin account, but my guess is that it won't accomplish anything.

Links:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com...r-account.aspx

https://www.recoverywindowspassword....n-windows.html

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...windows-vista/

Elevated command prompt:

"Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Prize-02>net user administrator /active:no
The user name could not be found.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2221."
did that "The user name could not be found."

But it's on the Welcome screen next to my account, with the funny name and avatar I gave it.

If you add up all the money I've spent on computing in 23 years, compared to how much they earned for me, there will be a very deep deficit of many thousands of $. Some day they'll all go through my 6th floor window. I once threw one down the garbage compactor chute from the 6th floor. Had to retrieve it because the compactor couldn't handle it. The dumpster is the proper place.

re-enabling:

"Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Prize-02>net user administrator /active:yes
The user name could not be found.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2221.

C:\Users\Prize-02>"

You're right

Well, that explains part of the issue. What users show up in Control Panel, User Accounts, Manage another account?

Note: You have to right-click on Command Prompt and select Run As Administrator for that net user command to work.

I was using the Elevated Comm Prompt, of which I have the shortcut on my desktop.
So in the Admin Comm Prompt: the same, can't be found

Users: I'm Prize-02.
Built-in Admin is Hidden Admin.
2nd Test User is just that, made after Win told me the 1st one couldn't be loaded. Tells me the same for this one. I'm not sure what I would use it for anyway.

I would never redo this machine unless something catastrophic happened to it, provided the Gateway was 100% capable of taking over for a few weeks. Inability to install 2 optional programs isn't catastrophic.

Are you retired?

No wonder the command did not work. It looks like you changed the name of the hidden Administrator account. It should be named Administrator.

I didn't change it, that was the name I gave it. I didn't know.

Fixed it, rebooted, Admin acct still black, useless except CTL+ALT+DEL.

Just leave it, it's OK. Computing is a no-win situation. By the time you get your machine tweaked exactly the way you want it, it either dies, gets screwed up by bugs or updates, or they force you to use a new OS. Both these machines are 10-years old...

Thanks for your patience.:-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by foxy

Computing is a no-win situation. By the time you get your machine tweaked exactly the way you want it, it either dies, gets screwed up by bugs or updates, or they force you to use a new OS.

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It's more of an endless game of cat and mouse. :mad: If you can figure out a way to stop the hackers, malware creators, Et al., our computing lives would be so much easier. ;)

The hackers are only half of it. The other half is getting the machine to run properly.

Other computer, set up recently, no time to acquire bugs:
same problem: Admin account black desktop
Can't install Macrium Reflect on either account. I "don't have enough permission to set up the shortcut in the Start Menu." Yes, I rt-clicked Run as Admin.

Installed Easeus instead.

Is there a hardware problem somewhere? Software will never run perfectly on imperfect hardware.

I have no idea, nothing in Device Manager, and even refurb computers aren't in my budget. But I use the Hidden Admin so seldom that I'm not pursuing this any more. Ditto .msi programs. I'm just ticked off in general because for anyone except pro techies, computing is a Sisyphean pastime.

Quote:

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I'm just ticked off in general because for anyone except pro techies, computing is a Sisyphean pastime.

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Even for us, it is the same.

It is issues like this that explains the need for regular boot drive image backups.

Yep, I agree jdc

Most everything man I own requires some kind of maintenance. Also seems the more I use it, the more maintenance it requires. Heck, even me. ;)

HP--This has been going on almost since the received the computer 2 years ago.

Gateway--I just set it up a few weeks ago and the Admin was blank from the start. I just made my first image.

:confused: When you purchase a new product and it does not work correctly, you are due a refund or replacement.

Both of these machines are 10-years-old, and I'm not the original owner, which is why I'm willing to let non-essential problems pass, as long as they perform what I need.

Omg, you've been fighting with this for 10 years? Once again, software cannot fix imperfect and/or incompatible hardware. If you don't have a good solid hardware foundation, it's just going to keep trying to fall down.

Start with, or take it back down to, bare bones out on a table. Nothing but:

motherboard (on a non-conductive surface),
CPU (w/heatsink),
RAM,
PSU,
video,
keyboard and mouse.

-- BTW, all of this hardware needs to be proven, (good reputation), and known-good, (working, no defects) hardware. Not something picked up on eBay for $1.99, shipping included.

Now see if it will boot into the BIOS. If not, try different PSU and/or RAM. Once you do get into the BIOS, reset the BIOS to factory default.

Next try running an Operating System (*nix) from a bootable USB flash drive. Exercise it some (web) and then leave it running overnight. If it's still where you left it the night before, excellent.

Power down, hook up your drive with Windows on it and try the same, (exercise it, web, games, whatever), and leave it running overnight. If it's fine the next morning, you're getting close.

Power down and carefully reassemble everything back inside the case. As you continue beyond the above bare minimum though, only add one or two pieces of hardware at a time and then test to make sure what was added isn't causing problems. Add another piece or two, test, ... you get the idea ...

Note: Windows 10 is not (yet?) a reliable Operating System.

No, not 10 years. See my post #26. It was refurbed by a guy who knows as much as you, and raffled off in the monthly raffle of my computer club, in perfect working condition. But I have it over 2 years now.

The Gateway was owned by a customer, originally a Vista that I wiped and installed Win7 in. It's possible there's a hardware problem, but it's not that important. It does what I need to do. I'm still working to supplement my Social Security and I have other priorities in my life. You guys see only one aspect of me

If this problem were easily doable, fine. But I'm not disassembling them. And I'm never moving to Win 10, so stop holding your breath.

Thanks to you both for your time.

Since it is now beginning to dawn on me that you do not really want my -- or anyone else's? -- help, I believe I'll bow out now and allow you to continue wallowing in your misery in peace.

No, I did want help, but I set a limit to what I'll do for a minor problem. I'm doing 3 part-time jobs to make ends meet.

There are problems that must be solved, and others that I can live with. I have a 2005 car, and there are problems that must be repaired and those I can live with. Someone else might be satisfied only if the car were perfect.