User Account Program Access

[Suzanne]

We too have more than one User set up for administator
profiles, simply so either can install programs.If not
administrator you cannot alter programs within your own
area.
Now we have come up against a few programs eg Canonscan
scanners will not work in all user profiles yet our old
little canon one did.
Several of the programs for photo editing and scanning do
not work either.
We are told the products are compatible with xp but
mention multiple users on one computer and they all get
confused with networking.
I would love to rectify the problem without having to
totally wipe our hard drive and start again.

Please Help!!!!!!!!!
The business computer retailer billed us for almost $200
after unsuccessfully being able to do this over 2hrs.
I would love to save someone else the expense and get the
answer myself.
It has got to be something simple.
Thanks

[Sharon F]

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 05:33:21 -0800, Suzanne wrote:

> We too have more than one User set up for administator
> profiles, simply so either can install programs.If not
> administrator you cannot alter programs within your own
> area.
> Now we have come up against a few programs eg Canonscan
> scanners will not work in all user profiles yet our old
> little canon one did.
> Several of the programs for photo editing and scanning do
> not work either.
> We are told the products are compatible with xp but
> mention multiple users on one computer and they all get
> confused with networking.
> I would love to rectify the problem without having to
> totally wipe our hard drive and start again.
>
> Please Help!!!!!!!!!
> The business computer retailer billed us for almost $200
> after unsuccessfully being able to do this over 2hrs.
> I would love to save someone else the expense and get the
> answer myself.
> It has got to be something simple.
> Thanks

When software is not compliant to a multiuser environment, you need to get
creative. Make an account an admistrator, installing software from that
account, running the software at least once from it and then moving the
account back to limited is just one method to try.

Other methods:

Install the program to its own folder - outside of C:\Program Files which
is protected by default settings of the operating system. Make that folder
accessible to all users. Some folks install programs to the "Shared
Documents" folder: C:\All Users\Shared Documents\Program\...

Some software will need to be installed mutiple times - once for each
account (you can install to the same folder). Use RunAs to perform the
installation or temporarily elevate the account.

Doug Knox (MVP) has written a utility which adds some administrative
functionality to XP Home. I haven't used it yet so am not sure how much it
can help with program access but you may want to check it out:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

--
Sharon F
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User

[Suzanne]

Many thanks Sharon for your advice.
Didn't quite follow about making one profile
administrator then changing its status but will show
hubby and will re read it tomorrow when bright and sparky.

The next option might be an idea.
I did see your mention of program not being in ALL USER
start up and would love a step by step guide of checking
that.
I have checked all users and scanner and the program tht
came with it are there and in Default User. However I
cannot locate start up for my own profile, I did check
windows etc but am obviously not looking in right area.

I would like to make sure we have not just missed
something simple. I can tell you when the techo was here
in our home for two hours and left shrugging saying nope
can't do it after them espousing "oh not a problem,we can
do a simple thing like that".

I will look up the site you mentioned also.
Will check back.
Feel free to email me privately if you do not think reply
her appropriate.
Thanks
Suzanne

[Sharon F]

On Tue, 28 Oct 2003 03:31:14 -0800, Suzanne wrote:

> Many thanks Sharon for your advice.
> Didn't quite follow about making one profile
> administrator then changing its status but will show
> hubby and will re read it tomorrow when bright and sparky.
>
> The next option might be an idea.
> I did see your mention of program not being in ALL USER
> start up and would love a step by step guide of checking
> that.
> I have checked all users and scanner and the program tht
> came with it are there and in Default User. However I
> cannot locate start up for my own profile, I did check
> windows etc but am obviously not looking in right area.
>
> I would like to make sure we have not just missed
> something simple. I can tell you when the techo was here
> in our home for two hours and left shrugging saying nope
> can't do it after them espousing "oh not a problem,we can
> do a simple thing like that".
>
> I will look up the site you mentioned also.
> Will check back.
> Feel free to email me privately if you do not think reply
> her appropriate.
> Thanks
> Suzanne

Regarding ALL USERS: Open Windows Explorer to Documents and Settings\All
Users. There will be folders here for Desktop, Start Menu and within the Start
Menu folders is the Startup folder. A quick way to the Start Menu folders is to
right click the Start button and select Explore or Explore All Users.

While logged on to any account, using Start> Run> MSCONFIG will show a list
of almost all startup items - not just the ones that load from the Startup
folder of the Start Menu.

XP creates each desktop and start menu at logon. Items in All Users are
present for everyone. Items that appear only in one individual's folders
are present only when they are logged on. Managing what appears in what
accounts folders can go a long way in customizing the system on a per user
basis.

Regarding access:
There are restrictions within XP for some accounts: registry keys that
cannot be written to and folders that cannot be accessed by anyone
except "system" and administrators. If a program appears to install
properly for all users but will not run, it is hitting one of those road
blocks. It is not uncommon for the programs that end to have these
problems to be directly related to the operation of hardware devices.

This is a flaw in the design of the program. If general workarounds won't
address the problem, a more specific workaround is needed from the
program vendor. Some have released updates (patches or entire
programs) that give functionality in XP.

In cases, where the hardware vendor is not cooperative, alternative
software solutions might be available but it may be necessary to replace the
device with one that is XP compliant and that uses software suitable for XP.

While I can sympathize to a point with the vendors about support costs
(which includes software and drivers), I sympathize more with the people
who purchased hardware devices expecting them to work! I had a nice
little HP printer that the company decided not to provide XP drivers for.
Luckily it worked okay with a generic driver but when it came time to
replace it, I did not purchase that brand again.

--
Sharon F
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User