> Two-part answer:
>
> A. I can't guess what your kids did. Log into any account that has
> administrative privileges and make your changes from there. If it doesn't
> appear that any user account has administrative privileges, log into the
> built-in Administrator account (which cannot be deleted).
>
> In XP Home, boot the computer into Safe Mode. Do this by repeatedly tapping
> the F8 key as the computer is starting up. This will get you to the right
> menu. Navigate using your Up arrow key; the mouse will not work here. Once
> in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account. The
> default password is a blank.
>
> In XP Pro/Media Center, you do not need to go into Safe Mode. At the Welcome
> Screen, do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic Windows logon box. Type in
> "Administrator" and whatever password you assigned when you set up Windows.
>
> If you reset the built-in Administrator account's password in Home or have
> Pro and don't remember the password, use NTpasswd to change the built-in
> Administrator account's password to a blank. Download the bootable CD .iso,
> burn with third-party burning software (as an image, not as data), boot
> with the media you created. You may need to change the boot order in the
> BIOS or get a temporary boot order menu with a special keypress. NTpasswd
> will run. Follow the instructions carefully.
>
>
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/>
> Then go to the User Accounts applet in Control Panel and set passwords that
> you will remember and make other desired changes.
>
> B. Security steps to take - Any computer running any operating system can be
> accessed by someone with 1) physical access; 2) time; 3) skill; 4) tools.
> There are a few things you can do to make it a bit harder though:
>
> 1. Set a password in the BIOS that must be entered before booting the
> operating system. Also set the Supervisor password in the BIOS so BIOS
> Setup can't be entered without it.
>
> 2. From the BIOS, change the boot order to hard drive first.
>
> 3. Set strong passwords on all accounts, including the built-in
> Administrator account in XP (it is disabled by default in Vista).
>
> 4. If you leave your own account logged in, use the Windows Key + L to lock
> the computer (and/or set the screensaver/power saving) when you step away
> from the computer and require a password to resume.
>
> 5. Make other users Limited accounts in XP Home, regular user accounts in XP
> Pro. All users should be on a Standard account in Vista with an
> Administrator account only used for elevation purposes.
>
> 6. Set user permissions/restrictions:
>
> If you have XP/Vista Home, you don't have the built-in ability to create
> fine-grained limitations, so use either MVP Doug Knox's Security Console or
> the MS SteadyState program to set the restrictions the way you want.
> SteadyState supports Vista now.
>
>
http://www.dougknox.com>
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx> More on SteadyState:
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=27570> SteadyState support -
>
http://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsToolsandUtilities/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=1660&SiteID=69>
> If you have XP Pro, Media Center, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate, you can
> use Group Policy to set restrictions (gpedit.msc). Be very careful using
> the Group Policy editor; it is completely possible to lock yourself out.
> Questions about group policy should be posted here:
>
> microsoft.public.windows.group_policy
>
> Please understand that these security steps are technical responses to what
> is basically a non-technical problem and there are ways around all of these
> precautions. This is a family/interpersonal issue that can't be solved by
> technical means.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
> FAQ -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ>
>