Making profiles on Windows XP

[Narcissa]

I'd like to make different profiles on my computer for each person in my house and was hoping someone would teach me how. (Step by step, please.)

Since there are minors involved, obviously I don't want them going to any adult sites, and I need to know how to set this up. I also don't want them to have access to any of my information on my profile, which I already set up and have a password.

I think what this is called is limited access, but I'm unsure.

I'm getting tired of hiding private information to disks or uploading pictures on the internet when I want immediate access to it whenever I want.

And once this is done, can I finally have my screen name and password set in yahoo, aim, and msn so I don't have to type it in every time?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[fgarvb1]

like this?

http://help.expedient.net/general/winxp_profiles.shtml

 

[Narcissa]

like this?

http://help.expedient.net/general/winxp_profiles.shtml

Done. Thank you.

I feel like an idiot because I typed that all out when I already had done this for my own profile. It was a while ago and everything just came back to me.

 

[fgarvb1]

You are most welcome.

Heck, I couldn't remember either.

So I did a search on Yahoo for something like, "How to create new profiles in windows XP ".

Amazing what can be found if it is phrased right!

 

[naxalite0906]

On a side note... I wanted to do this too and managed it.

But on my pc I was able to make it so that certain folders (ie my documents for that profile) private so that only certain users could access them. However, for my laptop, this is not possible.. When you go into properties for that folder, it does not give you this option because the tick box for it is greyed out so you cannot do it. Anyone got any clues as to why?

 

[Calvin]

On a side note... I wanted to do this too and managed it.

But on my pc I was able to make it so that certain folders (ie my documents for that profile) private so that only certain users could access them. However, for my laptop, this is not possible.. When you go into properties for that folder, it does not give you this option because the tick box for it is greyed out so you cannot do it. Anyone got any clues as to why?

If you are running XP Pro, you should be able to set specific security for both file and folders.
First, make sure your hard disk is set up in NTFS file allocation tables. You can access the Disk Management window via Start--> Programs --> Administrative Tools --> Disk Management.
Make sure that the C:\ is listed as NTFS under the file system. If this is ok, then make sure you are logged in as Administrator. If it shows FAT32, then you will have to convert the FAT tables which is simple but you want to do it right.
Pick any file or folder and right click on it and select Properties.
Under the Security tab you should be able to set the specific properties for the file/folder.
If this does not do it, we'll think more about it....

 

[naxalite0906]

If you are running XP Pro, you should be able to set specific security for both file and folders.
First, make sure your hard disk is set up in NTFS file allocation tables. You can access the Disk Management window via Start--> Programs --> Administrative Tools --> Disk Management.
Make sure that the C:\ is listed as NTFS under the file system. If this is ok, then make sure you are logged in as Administrator. If it shows FAT32, then you will have to convert the FAT tables which is simple but you want to do it right.
Pick any file or folder and right click on it and select Properties.
Under the Security tab you should be able to set the specific properties for the file/folder.
If this does not do it, we'll think more about it....

I couldnt get into disk management via the start menu.. Instead I went thru control panel. It is listed as FAT32, and I cannot figure out how to convert it. Sounds complicated.

 

[Calvin]

I couldnt get into disk management via the start menu.. Instead I went thru control panel. It is listed as FAT32, and I cannot figure out how to convert it. Sounds complicated.

It really is pretty simple altho it is (as always) best to make copies of your important stuff that you have created. Pretty simple process really.


How to do the conversion is at this link -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881/en-us


If you have any security issues after conversion, look at this article -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810142/en-us

After the conversion you will be able to set file permissions.

 

[wideeyedgrin]

I'd like to make different profiles on my computer for each person in my house and was hoping someone would teach me how. (Step by step, please.)

Since there are minors involved, obviously I don't want them going to any adult sites, and I need to know how to set this up.....

Any help would be appreciated.

A limited account won't stop access to porn sites. I use Norton Internet Security, but I imagine that any of these programs can do this.

In Norton you can enable user accounts and password protect the ability to change the settings. Then set the age limit restrictions for the accounts.

 

[naxalite0906]

It really is pretty simple altho it is (as always) best to make copies of your important stuff that you have created. Pretty simple process really.


How to do the conversion is at this link -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881/en-us


If you have any security issues after conversion, look at this article -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810142/en-us

After the conversion you will be able to set file permissions.

Is it worth doing as a general thing anyway due to the fact is says things work more efficiently when files are NTFS anyway.

I have read thru what is says and it looks simple and straightforward.. I just do not want to come across any probs like accessing stuff and files etc that backing up everything will not fix..

 

[Calvin]

Is it worth doing as a general thing anyway due to the fact is says things work more efficiently when files are NTFS anyway.

I have read thru what is says and it looks simple and straightforward.. I just do not want to come across any probs like accessing stuff and files etc that backing up everything will not fix..

It is a more efficent file system but the big thing is the security. If you do not care about the security then I would leave it alone. Your call really. I have never had but one or two issues out of hundreds done but you never know.... your call really.

 

[SubNebGuy]

NTFS also has smaller file cluster size, like 4kb, so its 'better' for the storage management, and things like defragmenting down the road.

DEFINITELY backup your data before you convert to NTFS from FAT32. if something goes wrong, you get to reinstall Windows from scratch.

And when I say "back up your data" i mean 'to a CD, DVD, or harddrive other than the one formatted as FAT32".

it does no good to backup to the same drive.

 

[Calvin]

NTFS also has smaller file cluster size, like 4kb, so its 'better' for the storage management, and things like defragmenting down the road.

>> yes... of course, that is why it is more efficient....

DEFINITELY backup your data before you convert to NTFS from FAT32. if something goes wrong, you get to reinstall Windows from scratch.

>> which of course is a good idea from time to time.... it is really only the "created " data that is important... system / OS / and other software can all be reinstalled.
At the same time any firmware or BIO's flash's and updates can also be done. It really is a good thing to occasionally tear the system down and rebuild it....

And when I say "back up your data" i mean 'to a CD, DVD, or harddrive other than the one formatted as FAT32".

>> there are so many options... depending on the amount of data.... you can network your data to a friends comp, FTP (upload) it to a web storage service, put it on a big USB drive or external harddrive.... or of course as mentioned above... on a CD or DVD....

it does no good to backup to the same drive.

I never really worry about it much.... I have done several hundred of these conversions and with the exception of 2 of them, have all gone well.... great odds....

 

[naxalite0906]

I never really worry about it much.... I have done several hundred of these conversions and with the exception of 2 of them, have all gone well.... great odds....

I dont think there is much important stuff i need to back up anyway... and at those odds im not sure its worth bothering to back up other stuff.. Guess i would be tempting fate by saying that though.. lol

 

[Calvin]

I dont think there is much important stuff i need to back up anyway... and at those odds im not sure its worth bothering to back up other stuff.. Guess i would be tempting fate by saying that though.. lol

yep... it just all depends upon whether you want or need the security....

 

[naxalite0906]

A quick question then as I am getting an external hard drive to back everything up. If i was to format the external drive to ntfs and then copy the files from my fat32 pc, will this still work.. or vice versa etc..
I only ask because obviously i cannot format the laptop until I back it all up, but this would mean that i would have to copy the files from one type of format to another.

On a side note, I am thinking of getting a freecom external hard drive. Seems good value for the price. Can anyone say anything good/bad about this product, and if bad, can you suggest any others?

 

[Calvin]

A quick question then as I am getting an external hard drive to back everything up. If i was to format the external drive to ntfs and then copy the files from my fat32 pc, will this still work.. or vice versa etc..
I only ask because obviously i cannot format the laptop until I back it all up, but this would mean that i would have to copy the files from one type of format to another.

On a side note, I am thinking of getting a freecom external hard drive. Seems good value for the price. Can anyone say anything good/bad about this product, and if bad, can you suggest any others?

In the past, a FAT32 system had problems seeing an NTFS volume. This is not always the case anymore. However, to be sure and to not risk any file corruption, I would initially format the external drive in FAT32. I would then do the back up and confirm the transfer by looking at the properties for the folders you transfered by comparing the numbers. It also helps to just spot check a file or two.
Then convert the system with the external shut down and disconnected.
Then you can transfer your data back and via your converted system just reformat the external in NTFS. At that point you will have two drives in NTFS and you can do regular backups to ensure you do not loose any data. I have several externals myself and when I am done transfering data to them they always get shut down.

As for the drive, I would not buy anything other than a Western Digital. There are some other brands that have some good models out there but I would stick with WD. Make sure you get one with at least an 8 Mb cache, 7200 RPM (10,000 is better but the WD Raptors do not come in an external format yet - I think). It is always best to buy a retail version with a 3 year warrenty. You can either buy a drive in an enclosure or you can buy a drive and the enclosure (which gives you a better choice of drives). And of course the type of interface (connection to the drive) matters - is it SATA or USB? A high level of SATA will give you a much faster Xfer rate.


If you want to read a little more about transfer rates, you can go here to see info on SATA.

SATA Info

Remember that USB rates are as follows:

USB 2.0 has a raw data rate at 480Mbps, and it is rated 40 times faster than its predecessor interface, USB 1.1, which tops at 12Mbps. Originally, USB 2.0 was intended to go only as fast as 240Mbps, but in October 1999, USB 2.0 Promoter Group pumped up the speed to 480Mbps.
As far as we know, effective rate reaches at 40MBps or 320Mbps for bulk transfer on a USB 2.0 hard drive with no one else sharing the bus.

I am assuming of course that your laptop is USB 2 versus 1.1