I got my IBM Thinkpad T40 from relatives, who got it from work (given to them)...However there is an administrator account (doesn't let me install things), how do I get rid of it?

You have to boot the computer into Safe mode, (Take any bootable CD or DVDs out of the drives, press F8 repeatedly while booting, do not hold down the key, and choose Safe mode or Safe mode with networking from the boot choices menu) then log on as Administrator, and if a password is required, you must provide it. Once you are logged on as Administrator, you can change the priviledges of the other users to be the same as for the administrator. If there is a password, the relative(s) should know it. If they don't remember what it is, or if they don't know what it is, they may be able to find out what it is at the "work" they got it from. If you need a password but can't determine what it is, you can only legally change your situation by re-loading the original brand name software installation on the C drive, or by re-loading Windows from scratch from a regular Windows CD. All 2000 and XP Windows installations have a default Administrator user, and at least one other user. You cannot delete that default Administrator user. You only have access to that user, you can only log on to that user, in Safe mode.

"You only have access to that user, you can only log on to that user, in Safe mode." Sorry but incorrect. You can logon at anytime as administrator by hitting control-alt-delete at the welcome screen. You then have the option of puttin g in a user name [administrator for example] and then the password. cessusbangy do you have another admin equal account you can logon under? Until you do you can't make any changes.

Okay, I'll amend that. All 2000 and XP Windows installations have a default Administrator user, and at least one other user. You cannot delete that default Administrator user. You can only change the priviledges of other users when you log on as the default Administrator. One way of being able to log on as the default Administrator is to boot your computer into Safe mode.

This offline password reset utility will work. http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpas... Offline means you'll be working from a bootable cd. This is no time to get in a hurry; read the instructions and follow them. Skip

"This offline password reset utility will work." I see nothing at that link that would prevent someone from using it who should not have the right to change or remove the password, and then being able to change the priviledges for other users.