Administrators Only Error when trying Windows Update

Working on a Dell Demension 2350, user is having problems when going to Windows Update. When you go there the panel states "Administrators Only" Ton install items from windows update you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the administrattors group. Then goes on to give instruction on how to "run as".

I checked the user that is logged in and it is a Administrator. So is the second user that has a login on this box. It is running Windows XP Home. I can not seem to check group policies because I think "Home" does not have that ability. The user called Dell and they could not get nothing out of them. Do Dell boxes have a default admin login and password?

Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

Try logging on as the "administrator"
THE administrator!!!!
Not the user with admin priveledges.
Then update us as to what happens.

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Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

Try logging on as the "administrator"
THE administrator!!!!
Not the user with admin priveledges.
Then update us as to what happens.

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Well there shouldn't be any difference ! ... Using Windows Update

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In Windows XP Home Edition, you must be logged on as a computer administrator to install components or modify Automatic Updates settings. In Windows XP Professional, you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you from completing this procedure.

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Maybe dell in their 'infinite wisdom' (I wish !!! :rolleyes: ) ... did 'something' ?

Try logging on as system administrator (use the built in account -NOT one you made yourself) is what tripleR is saying....

I can do that but I don't have the Administrators Password, is there a Default Dell uses??

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Originally Posted by TheCardMan

I can do that but I don't have the Administrators Password, is there a Default Dell uses??

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So how did you create other accounts if you don't know this ?

Anyways ! ... a quick search here turns up this thread for 'lost' or 'forgotten' paswords ... I'll add a new category 'never got told in the god damn first place!' ;) ... Cant remember password

Hopefully that'll sort you out ... let us know :)

The password is often blank, just try hitting enter...however your problem is more likely to be this

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Problem Description:
When you attempt to use the Windows Update site, you may receive an error
message similar to the following:

Administrators Only (-2146828218) To install items from Windows Update, you
must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators
group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings
may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

You receive this message even though you are already logged on as an
administrator or a member of the Administrators group.


Resolutions:
This issue indicates a problem accessing a resource and may not indicate a lack of administrative privileges. One of the resolutions below may help.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Click "Start," and then click "Run."
2. In the Open box, type regedit and then click "OK."
3. Locate and select the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\WindowsUpdate
4. click "Edit," and then click "Permissions."
5. Click "Add," and then type "Everyone" in the
dialog box that appears.
6. Click "Check Names," and then click "OK."
7. Select "Everyone" in the "Group or user names" list.
8. Under Permissions for "Everyone," select the "Full Control" check box
in the "Allow" column. Note that the "Read" check box in the "Allow" column is now also selected.
9. Select each user, in turn, in the "Group or user names" list, and then verify
that no check boxes are selected in the "Deny" column. Clear any check boxes that are selected in the "Deny" column.
10. Click "Advanced," and then select the "Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects" check box, and then click "OK."
11. Click "Yes" if you are prompted for confirmation.

NOTE: You should also check the firewall and the proxy server settings and
configurations, or ask the appropriate administrator to do so.
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You can work around this issue by adding the following to the exceptions list in the Internet

Options Proxy Settings:

Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
V4.Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Download.Windowsupdate.com

To access the Exceptions settings.
1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click "Tools," and then click "Internet Options."
3. Click "Connections," and then click "LAN Settings."
4. Click "Advanced" and add windowsupdate.microsoft.com to the exceptions list.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Open Internet Explorer, click "Tools" and then click "Internet Options."
2. Click "Advanced".
3. Scroll down until you see "Use HTTP 1.1 through Proxy Connections," and then select the
check box.
4. Click "OK."
5. Close and restart Internet Explorer. You should now be able to connect to Windows Update.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rename the subdirectory C:Windows\System32\Catroot2 to C:Windows\System32\Catroot2temp\.
Restart the computer and then try to run Windows Update.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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from here at windows troubleshooter It is not possible to link you directly to the article.

I thought you had a touch of 'RRR-itis' until I saw the very last line .. ;)

Why else do you think I put the last line in? :p

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Originally Posted by confus-ed

I thought you had a touch of 'RRR-itis' until I saw the very last line .. ;)

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I thought so, too.https://forums.windrivers.com/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

I thought so, too.https://forums.windrivers.com/

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You see, you are just a medical condition ! :D ... now all we need is a cure :eek2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by confus-ed

You see, you are just a medical condition ! :D ... now all we need is a cure :eek2:

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Will a curse do?
YOU {EDITED BY NOONOO}https://forums.windrivers.com/https://forums.windrivers.com/

Here is the story: I found the password for "administrator", I used the Linux disk and found that the password was BLANK. Also learned that you can not log in as administrator in XP Home unless your in Safe Mode. Something I didn't know. Took all the suggestions above and still did not work. Had Dell on the phone for 2 hours walking me through stuff that I am not sure if they knew. I still can not get to the Windows Update page, Administrators Only still appears and now I get a Pop Up message stating that Security settings preventing Active X controls..blah blah blah. This happens logging on as all the different users and Administrator in safe mode. This was interesting, Dell told me that they would walk me through this to find out the problem but warned me not to use Windows Update and that it could render my machine usless and there is nothing on windows update that Dell did not already install on the machine. They wen on to tell me that all my drivers on the machine were set in the factory and I should not change. I asked about downloading the critical updates so I am protected and my machine is all up to date with the latest patches and they claim I do not need them and that they will cause more trouble if installed. I also tried to install the SP1a, by downloading it from MS website and manually installing it but when I tried to run it it came up with an error after verifying integrity of something. It said something to the fact that cryptic something service needs to be running to installed and I verified that it was running by typing "net start cryptsvc" at the command prompt.

Well I did not get anywhere with them, I still can not get to windows update and I am comming to realize that Dell puts thier version of Windows XP Homeon these machines and modifies it and locks things down that they feel should not be touched or not needed. They offered to send me to thier software specialists for a fee because software support on Dells are only covered for 30 days from purchase. Looks like my best option is to reinstall Windows XP, not Dells Version, and I will have a normal (well almost normal) OS.

Any other last suggestions will be welcomed before I blow this machine away.

that dell tech was on crack - dell machines do use windows update -I suggest you get your problem escalated at dell - ask to speak to a supervisor.

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Originally Posted by NooNoo

that dell tech was on crack - dell machines do use windows update -I suggest you get your problem escalated at dell - ask to speak to a supervisor.

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https://forums.windrivers.com/https://forums.windrivers.com/https://forums.windrivers.com/

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I am comming to realize that Dell puts thier version of Windows XP Homeon these machines and modifies it and locks things down that they feel should not be touched or not needed

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This is NOT so cardman!!
In fact you probably got a separate MS XP Cd with your kit.
Did you try NooNoo very lengthy fix from before??
If not then you should.
This looks like OS/IE problems.
Does the machine work well otherwise??
No virus, malware, spyware???
Yes, one solution is the reinstall/repair route.

Yes, Tried the fix, still same problem. The machine seems to work fine otherwise. I see no AV on it although the user said the had Norton and it expired and they downloaded and payed for the upgrade/extension. I have to look at that as well. I have to see if the user has the Win XP cd Dell shipped and try a re-install if I can not get this to work as is.

Also, when escalating to dell they did offer higher support but it would cost me. I wasn't about to give them my CC # for this.