Limited admin access?

**ckrick** · September 6th, 2003, 04:49 PM

Alright, I searched for an answer to this but came up with nothing.

I recently bought a new hard drive and in order to have the computer recognize it I need to access 'Computer Management' under 'Administrative Tools.' Unfourtunately, When I double click it I get a message that reads:

Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the items.

I'm using Win XP Professional and I'm the only user on the computer - so obviously I'm listed as administrator. i don't get it. Any ideas?

**vass0922** · September 6th, 2003, 05:12 PM

Can you right click My Computer and go to "Manage" ?

or try

start --> run --> type 'mmc'
In there go to Console --> Add/Remove Snap-in
In the list choose Disk Mangement.

If none of those works, and you ARE Administrator it sounds like somebody set a policy on the machine or something w/o you knowing.

Welcome to TechIMO

**ckrick** · September 6th, 2003, 05:16 PM

No dice. And no one set anything without me knowing on this computer, most of my friends are quite inept when it comes to computing. I've never had to use any administrative commands before this so I don't know when this would have started. Any workarounds?

**AzKidd69** · September 6th, 2003, 05:57 PM

try start>> run>> "control userpasswords2" without the quotes and see if it will even let you list WHAT user group your account is set as... hopefully an admin.

if that doesn't work.. log off the box.. @ the log on screen "3 finger salute" twice (ctrl-alt-del) username administrator and password is whatever you installed windows with (hope you remeber). then try configuring the drive

if you cannot remeber the password for the admin acct....
check out this article

http://www.securitypipeline.com/howt...cleId=13100455

as far as controlling anything admin related on XP start>>run>>"compmgmt.msc" will let you into a very useful snapin that has just about anything you need in one console (except for gpedit.msc)
~~Dan~~

**vass0922** · September 6th, 2003, 06:14 PM

Holy... look what the cat dragged in

Welcome back Az

**ckrick** · September 7th, 2003, 04:13 AM

Logging in as the default admin didn't work either. I don't even understand how that's possible. Thanks for taking the time to try and help though, I appreciate it. Quite a pickle, this one...