windows xp administrator

I purchased a used computer.I can get into windows,but I can't add any other software or programs to the system. Does anybody know how I can get around this or what can I do to add programs or even reformat the hard drive?

 

Dude,this is the WRONG forum,but anyway,ill try to help.

Could you give me a few details please.

1.What exactly does it say when you try and install something.
2.Do you have a full copy of Windows XP.
3.Did you ring the person/shop you bought it from.

 

I tried to go in and change the topic,but i'm new at this. It's saying that I have to logged on as administrator. I got this computer from a flea market.

 

How can I place this thread in the correct forum?

 

Its ok your new.Press start,then control panel,then select user accounts,thats where all your Administration info is.

 

Ask one of the moderators,they might do it automaticaly when they see it.

 

thanks

 

Once youve done what i just told you to do,select "create a new account"type in "your name" click next then select Computer Administrator then click "create account"hopefully that should give you admin access.

 

Any luck dude.

 

He has to be on an admin account in the first place in order to create another, boot the computer in safe mode and a generic admin account should appear on the login screen, go into that one then while you are on that account create your own admin account.

 

lol yeah, windows security at its best

 

lol u said it

 

As one already exsists why would he need to go into safe mode to create a new one when he can just do it in normal mode.Also hes probably only logging on as a guest.

 

My point is if he doesnt have access to it, lost password etc. that's the only way to get into it. Besides going into safe mode is as easy as rebooting your computer. And if he is on a guest account he in incapable of creating an admin account unless he does as ive said.

 

the one that already exists doesn't have administrative privileges, hence the message he gets when trying to install something, also guests can't create admin users.

 

Its as simple as this guys i was pointing him in the right direction,i was only trying to help,also i noticed no one told him how to get into safemode.

Kelval press F8 several times after your computer starts,a menu will appear saying,"Safe Mode" "Safe Mode With Networking" "Safe Mode With Command Prompt" Select the one that says "Safe Mode" but only use this option if you need to,if you already have it solved dont bother.

 

There is a way to get around a lost password by using Command Prompt.

 

This is a much more user friendly way =) That and its funny how easily one can get around log-ins on Windows. Lol... wait this is the PS3 section... why are we doing this, and why hasn't it been shut down or switched to the proper forms yet =S

 

Kelval any luck.