Switched to Embarq DSL, started downloading some of the nifty software from Earthlink, one of which was Parental controls. BAM, locked up my computer. Had a friend come over and get things pretty much straightened out...but we're unable to do a system restore. Can't login as administrator (doesn't seem to exist). Does anyone know "a back door" as to how to do a system restore. The system restore file is still there, but when you try to run it, you get the hourglass and then nothing!
What operating system are you using? If it is XP Home, you will need to restart your system in Safe Mode to be able to access the Administrator account.
When you start your PC, does it come up with the "welcome" screen where you select the user you want to login as by clicking on an icon on the screen, or, when you start the computer, does it come up with a form to enter a username and password?
Unfortunately if you aren't seeing an Administrator login available, even when booting to Safe Mode, then you may additional issues to deal with. Is the user account you login with set to have Administrator rights? XP Home doesn't have the same User Manager features under the Control Pane that the Professional version does, but here is a way to check out the accounts that exist on the PC when you are using XP Home: 1. Click on Start 2. Click on Run 3. Type in: control userpasswords2 4. Click on OK. If you don't see an Administrator account listed, OR, at least one user ID that is listed as an Administrator.....not good!
The system restore file is still there, but when you try to run it, you get the hourglass and then nothing! Patience is a virtue!!!!!! If you have a slow speed cpu, minimum ram or in general an older machine this restore will take some time. Even with a semi-new machine if your creating a restore after a long time since the first one it's working doubly hard. If you're hard drive is loaded with lots of programs and your holding a lot of MP3's or MPG's it has to search the whole thing even before it attempts a restore. Click on the restore before dinner; check it after dinner for the next step. If still not there check it before you go to bed. If you want restore to work at an optimum, do a clean-up before starting. Start, Programs, Acessories, System tools, "Disk Cleanup". If disk cleanup is slow you know that's the problem for the restore also. Run your spyware software after the cleanup. Then run Defrag (Find in the same place as Clean-up, System Tools) Do a reboot and run restore. I think you'll see a big diff in speed!
Sluggish system was not the issue, was fine before downloading the earthlink software. Ended up calling Dell (had to pay $40 for their help) and they walked me through a restore using the operating system cd. Even though it cost me, it was well worth it!!! System running great now!! and did not lose any info!! Thanks for the suggestions anyway.
