I have windows XP running on a new desktop computer that is network
thru a common hub to a laptop that is running windows ME. The desktop
access the internet thru a 2-way satellite connection and the laptop
access the internet thru the desktop UNLESS my wife has dialed into
the VPN at work. Everything works fine, she is able to maintain the
vpn connection while surfing the web thru the satellite.

I recently tried to install a program (Real Player) on the XP desktop
and it told me that I did not have admin privledges. I checked and
double checked, and I do, so maybe there is a problem with the
registry?

When setting up the network (I mention the network only because it is
the only thing I have added to the desktop recently and the problem
seemed to appear about the same time) I had to maintain settings on
the laptop because of the VPN.

How can I make XP know I have admin privs? 

I have thought about "repairing" my XP installation.

Hello troubleshooter-ga.

I have had similar issues in the past in regards to Windows XP or a
3rd-party program needing administrator privelages.

You were correct in thinking about 'repairing' the XP installation,
however, to save you time I offer the following tip.  According to a
tip offered at TechTv [ http://www.techtv.com/ ] you can actually
force Windows XP to run ANY program as an administrator, regardless of
whether you really are logged in as administrator or not. The site
reads as follows:

"In Windows 2000 and XP, each user must log into an account. Accounts
are designed to limit what the user can do. These limits usually
involve system settings. In Windows 2000 and XP, an "administrator
account" is a user account that has "administrator rights" -- open
access to all the system settings. Any account with administrator
rights is considered an administrator account.

Some Windows software programs, such as Nero, will not operate unless
you are using an administrator account. If you're in a
nonadministrator account, does that mean you have to log off and log
back in as an administrator? Not necessarily.

The steps 

Here's how to use a program as an administrator without logging off: 

Find the icon for the program you want to run as an administrator.
Hold the Shift key and right-click on the icon. Select "Run as."
Find the option for "Run the program as the following user." Select it
and fill in the boxes with the appropriate administrator account user
name and password.
The application will launch as if it's being used by an administrator.
All other applications will continue to operate under your user
account."

Source: [ http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/windowstips/story/0,24330,2552301,00.html
]


I hope this saves you from having to re-install XP, and in the future
i HIGHLY recommend the website listed above for more computer-related
information than you will probably ever need.


Google Search:
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=use+program+as+administrator


I hope this sovles your problem.

-molszewski-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by troubleshooter-ga on 05 Aug 2002 02:32 PDT

I appreciate the information you provided, but I must reply that it
will not install even in an admin account. I even deleted all of the
non--admin level accounts and still it persisted. Friday I fly home
and will take another look based on your information, I will let you
know how it turns out. thanks again.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by troubleshooter-ga on 05 Aug 2002 15:40 PDT

Found this on the web - this is the exact problem I am having, FYI:


Just joined direcway, new scbriber on new computer. I am attempting to
download updates from windows update however when I go to the page it
tells me that I am not authorized, because I do not have administrator
rights or the network configuration is prohibiting it. I checked the
administrator and I am the only user and have administrator rights.
Does anyone know what the network settings should be for the USB
Modems, I connect via lan and the USB modem to the sattellite.
Thanks 
Date: 08-02-2002 on 04:47 p.m.  
 
litespeed 
Regular Member
in DirecPC Message Board


posts: 12
since: 10-22-2001
  2. Re:Getting Updates from Windows Update    
 
 
This should help.
1. Start menu, then Run.. 
2. type "regedit", then press enter 
3. navigate to this folder -
hkey_local_machine/software/microsoft/windows/currentversion/windowsupdate
4. right-click on the windowsupdate folder in the left column, then
click permissions...
5. put check marks in the "allow" boxes for both administrators &
system
6. click ok, the exit the editor 
7. Reboot the machine, and go back to the windows update page. 
Here is a link to dslreports Faqs.
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/satellite

Although the information he provided was interesting, it did not
address the root of my problem, which clearly was a registry issue. In
a few hours I was able to find the information that I needed on the
same internet that this researcher used. I assume he did not
understand my question.

Researcher provided a solution to try, albiet ineefective in my
particular application, but did point me toward a good source of
information.