PlaneShift
Support => Technical Help: Problems BEFORE entering the game => Topic started by: Vanraa on March 21, 2007, 10:52:39 pm
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A lot of the problems I see posted on here looks like it is do to the user is not a computer administrator to their computer. If you are unable to download, login properly (Error message/porblem with .dll files) installation (aside from people running the updater which is not recomended)
This is probably an access denied code, ie you are not an administrator so you cannot install this properly.
If you are unable to gain admin privliages/ask your parents/dunno how/wife owns you etc.. and you run on Windows XP the answer is simple.
Restart the computer and wait for the blue loading bar across the screen
When you see the loading bar, hit the button to shut down your computer.(This will take about 5-7 seconds)
Turn the computer back on and let the computer load.
There will be a message, (Windows was unable to start properly....blah blah blah)
Select Safe Mode, from here windows load the user desktop Administrator, select it.(if there is a password on it Jump the BIOS, there is a chip on your mother board, like two squares next to each other, take the chip and move it to the other square, then restart the process)
If there is no password on the account Administrator, log in to this desktop and add a password.
Restart your computer log onto your desktop, right click the browser you use and run as.
Here it will ask you to chose how to run the program. Click the second bubble and enter the password you have place on the Administator account. Then re download and you will be just fine.
For other problems or for people not running on Windows XP www.google.com :p
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I read this post a couple times trying to follow the logic and I must be missing something because I am still very confused.
But, I would like to express my own thoughts on a few points:
Restart the computer and wait for the blue loading bar across the screen
When you see the loading bar, hit the button to shut down your computer.(This will take about 5-7 seconds)
Turn the computer back on and let the computer load.
There will be a message, (Windows was unable to start properly....blah blah blah)
No! No! No!!! Sometimes Windows gets corrupted or for some reason is not able to load or shut down properly, but it is never a good idea to forcibly power off a normally fine running installation of Windows ... especially during boot-up or shut down. This can cause problems that were not present before. If you absolutely need to boot in Safe Mode, simply press F8 the instant you see the 'Starting Windows' message (the white text on black screen which appears before the boot splash screen. This will give you the same menu and allow you to choose Safe Mode. But, safe mode is normally only needed if Windows will not boot normally, shut down normally, or has other issues anyway.
Select Safe Mode, from here windows load the user desktop Administrator, select it.(if there is a password on it Jump the BIOS, there is a chip on your mother board, like two squares next to each other, take the chip and move it to the other square, then restart the process)
I do not see the connection between the Administrator password for Windows and the BIOS at all. Besides the fact that this advice will likely not help, motherboards vary greatly in design. I can only hope that you are referring to a jumper and not suggesting that someone remove a chip and try to put it in another socket. Unless you are absolutely sure what you are doing, do not even think about touching your motherboard. Otherwise, you are risking permanent damage to your hardware. And unless you are a computer technician, don't even think about opening up a laptop. ;D Even many PC techs will not do that, preferring instead to send a laptop back to it's manufacturer for service.
I know that Windows XP does like to hide the Administrator account on it's login screen tho (unless you are in Safe Mode). I have more experience with Windows 2000 than I do XP and am not sure of how to login as Administrator otherwise. Perhaps someone with more XP experience has a suggestion.
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couldnt agree more Hilon, advising someone who doesnt know how to boot in safe mode to short out their CMOS is only ever going to cause BIG problems.
To reset your admin password follow these steps:
Reboot Windows in Safe Mode.
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK: control userpasswords2
Click the user account that you forgot the password for, and then click Reset Password.
Type a new password in both the New password and the Confirm new password boxes, and then click OK.
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Unless the user has admin rites the only way to get admin is safe mode, But if the user does not have admin rights there is usually a VERY valid reason for it... Would you give root access to the trainee technician or just basic SUDO access???
any smart PC tech would install that account with a password on it and NOT give that to the customer so that
they can fix the PC when the original "user" account (Who has admin rights by default) in-evitably stuffs it all up...
that said if you don't have admin rights ask the admin for the game to be installed / the problem to be fixed etc... they are the one in-charge of fixing the computer after all...
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any smart PC tech would install that account with a password on it and NOT give that to the customer so that
they can fix the PC when the original "user" account (Who has admin rights by default) in-evitably stuffs it all up...
I would be livid if I bought a PC and the kind vendor had taken it upon themselves to limit my access to my own computer. And what are you suggesting if that is the case, that the person in question returns their PC to the vendor and asks them to install each and every piece of software they might want?
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not at all look at the whole post...
the original "user" account (Who has admin rights by default)
obviously you have never installed XP or you would know that you are asked for a admin password, and then later asked to create a user name and password... that original user account has admin rights by default... I am actually talking about the "Administrator" account that is a part of the OS!
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Also, if that jumper / contact is closed, on many boards it will not just erase the password, it will also remove the BIOS configuration data. Depending on the system and required settings, the harddisks might not be recognised anymore so it might not even boot. Special settings like boot sequence or IRQ assignments will be lost also, and it's even possible that the CPU / memory timing will be reduced so the system will be severely slowed down.
As has also been said, there are several of these jumpers on a mainboard, some of which can damage the mainboard and other components if set incorrectly. Also, this special jumper usually doesn't have a cap, so you'd be forced to short out random adjacent pins which might not even be jumpers, and short circuits are always bad.
All in all, this is a very stupid thing to do without the right knowledge and true need. And as has been said, it doesn't in any way affect the operating system's passwords. How did you get that false impression? You should really not advise people on things that you don't have at least a minimal clue about yourself.
Shutting down the system improperly can corrupt the filesystem, even though with NTFS that problem is not as big as with FAT. Still, bad idea. OK, in the very early stages of the boot process that doesn't necessarily cause trouble, but never, ever, advise the unknowling to do something that has any potential of creating problems. Handling the system's internal components and shutting down the OS uncleanly are two of these things.
Now, for the original intention: I am, and have always been, running PS under a nonprivileged account. Not only that, but I have installed it under this account. Unlike many other, poorly written, games, PS doesn't require access to anything special. I don't think that is different with XP, even though I don't use XP and thus can't verify that.
Of course, firewall settings and such may need to be changed as privileged user, but then again just running PS in that account doesn't change that, either.
I don't like not having complete control over my PC, which includes all passwords. However, limiting one's own access unless really necessary is a sensible thing to do, and the two don't exclude each other. I'm not even sure if the secret administrator password is of great help. If the user has admin access, then the system will become borked as has been said, and in the rare case of this pertaining to one account (instead of the entire system), one can use the safe mode trick. I'm not even sure the normal user knows about the administrator account so they're not likely to use it, anyway, right?
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Both Idoru and lirucan bring up some very valid points. If you own the computer, you should know the Administrator password. If you do not own it, then there very well could be a valid reason for you not knowing the password. Still, you should use Administrator only in the most extreme circumstances (forgotten 'regular' password, corrupted user account, etc.). I would suggest maybe even having 2 accounts besides Administrator: one that has Administrator rights and one that doesn't. If you need to install something that requires Administrator privileges, then use this first account to install it. Then, logout of it and log back in with the second account (one that you use most of the time for normal running of programs). Many of the problems that Windows has had in the past with malicious software could have been avoided by simply not using the computer with a user that has Administrator rights. This is akin to not logging into Linux as root.
Pre-post edit: More good points, Seytra.
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BTW, all you people thinking that it's somehow a right / good idea / acceptable thing to mess around with computers that you don't own or are in charge of, I can only wish you become administrator of a network with many many users like yourself.
*big tight hands-at-throat hugs*
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BTW, all you people thinking that it's somehow a right / good idea / acceptable thing to mess around with computers that you don't own or are in charge of, I can only wish you become administrator of a network with many many users like yourself.
*big tight hands-at-throat hugs*
Hmmm Quite... or even just a network at home when you already have a full-time job plus studies...
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I read this post a couple times trying to follow the logic and I must be missing something because I am still very confused.
But, I would like to express my own thoughts on a few points:
Restart the computer and wait for the blue loading bar across the screen
When you see the loading bar, hit the button to shut down your computer.(This will take about 5-7 seconds)
Turn the computer back on and let the computer load.
There will be a message, (Windows was unable to start properly....blah blah blah)
No! No! No!!! Sometimes Windows gets corrupted or for some reason is not able to load or shut down properly, but it is never a good idea to forcibly power off a normally fine running installation of Windows ... especially during boot-up or shut down. This can cause problems that were not present before. If you absolutely need to boot in Safe Mode, simply press F8 the instant you see the 'Starting Windows' message (the white text on black screen which appears before the boot splash screen. This will give you the same menu and allow you to choose Safe Mode. But, safe mode is normally only needed if Windows will not boot normally, shut down normally, or has other issues anyway.
Select Safe Mode, from here windows load the user desktop Administrator, select it.(if there is a password on it Jump the BIOS, there is a chip on your mother board, like two squares next to each other, take the chip and move it to the other square, then restart the process)
I do not see the connection between the Administrator password for Windows and the BIOS at all. Besides the fact that this advice will likely not help, motherboards vary greatly in design. I can only hope that you are referring to a jumper and not suggesting that someone remove a chip and try to put it in another socket. Unless you are absolutely sure what you are doing, do not even think about touching your motherboard. Otherwise, you are risking permanent damage to your hardware. And unless you are a computer technician, don't even think about opening up a laptop. ;D Even many PC techs will not do that, preferring instead to send a laptop back to it's manufacturer for service.
I know that Windows XP does like to hide the Administrator account on it's login screen tho (unless you are in Safe Mode). I have more experience with Windows 2000 than I do XP and am not sure of how to login as Administrator otherwise. Perhaps someone with more XP experience has a suggestion.
Ummm, I only needed to read the first sentance. Of the second part.
When you said no no no no!!!
It isnt good to force your comp to shut down, right.
But restart it properly and force shut it down while windows is loading, thats an easy way to bring up safe mode to run comp as an Admin
You should have really thought it over before you replied. No offence.
*edit*
On to the second person,
You're right I was just trying to sound smart with jumping the BIOS
But you basically made an attempt to say something differen than what I did.
Thanks for trying.
Oh and I know I seen the words,
"Only administrative users will be seen in safe mode to change anything"
You yourself making the user Administrator password protected, later on you can run programs as the admin, which would basically make you an admin, except for removing hardware or programs.
Also, this kinda isnt about owning or not owning the computer.
My mom makes my user limited account, I have figured out the path, with no help to get around it.
And yes, I am no freakin tech prodigy, but I try, and learn.
*edit*
Unless the user has admin rites the only way to get admin is safe mode, But if the user does not have admin rights there is usually a VERY valid reason for it... Would you give root access to the trainee technician or just basic SUDO access???
any smart PC tech would install that account with a password on it and NOT give that to the customer so that
they can fix the PC when the original "user" account (Who has admin rights by default) in-evitably stuffs it all up...
that said if you don't have admin rights ask the admin for the game to be installed / the problem to be fixed etc... they are the one in-charge of fixing the computer after all...
Correct, but if someone already had administrative rights, then what serves the purpose of taking these actions?
[ Please avoid making one post right after the other in the same thread. Just "Modify" your first post to add more information. --Karyuu ]
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Ever heard of double posting :P
Just modify your first post and add information to it if there is anything you forgot during the first post. :)
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Why? Everyone else seems to want to flood my thread, I thought I might jump in.
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Why? Everyone else seems to want to flood my thread, I thought I might jump in.
Read the rules, double posting in quick succession is against the rules you're suppose to just edit your for first post with any information you left out. :)
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Hmm, then why didnt you edit your first post with this information? Exactly if you quote the rules, follow them as well. No one likes a hypocrite.
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I didn't post two posts in succession I posted after you did which means I didn't double post. I suggest you read the rules and develop some forum etiquette before resulting to immature responses such as calling me a hypocrite.
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Perhaps you are right, but there is slight difference in it all.
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There's actually a big difference, I can post in quick succession because I can answer a post by someone who has just answered mine. It's called discussion. Yet in double posting you can hardly answer your own question with an answer now can you? Therefore if people miss out information and no-one has yet answered that thread they will edit there post as to not clog the forum with un-necessary posts. :)
If this doesn't clarify what i'm trying to say then :surrender:
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The subject is wandering :offtopic:.
also :surrender: to what? You sitting their feeling complacent on correcting my mistakes?
Because you posted 400+ times, You made the point the first time, your words are becoming redundant. It's enough, stop looking at what I am posting and actually go play the game.
This game a wit is lame, seeing as my opponent is only stating the obvious.
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Look... I was only trying to help.
Seriously that attitude won't get you anywhere and what does post count have to do with anything?
You called me a hypocrite when it was far from needed so I felt the need to defend my words, I see nothing wrong with that.
/me leaves the pointless thread
I wasn't trying to belittle you just offering advice which next time i'll keep to myself :]
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Ummm, I only needed to read the first sentance. Of the second part.
Why did you quote the entire post then?
But you basically made an attempt to say something differen than what I did.
Thanks for trying.
What's that supposed to accomplish? Mind clarifying?
It isnt good to force your comp to shut down, right.
But restart it properly and force shut it down while windows is loading, thats an easy way to bring up safe mode to run comp as an Admin
You should have really thought it over before you replied. No offence.
He did. There is no real difference between forcing a shutdown while running versus while starting up, unless you know for a fact that no writes to the harddisk have been done yet (which is not easy with Windows, and one may easily claim that the fact that Windows knows the start did not succeed means there has been at least one write to the disk). The proper way to get into safe mode has been explained, wich is using the F8 key.
Also, this kinda isnt about owning or not owning the computer.
My mom makes my user limited account, I have figured out the path, with no help to get around it.
Looks like your mom is much smarter than most people (including yourself), maybe she should be posting here. I wonder what you are going to do when you screw that computer beyond what you are able to fix yourself. Are you going to tell your mother that you screwed with it, or are you going to claim "it just happened"? Will you pay the repair bill? And what happens if important data is lost due to your actions?
That is precisely what has been referred to as "reasons why people don't have administrator rights", and is therefore very much about owning or not owning the computer.
Your mother should lock you out of the computer for a while, to think about messing with other people's stuff without permission.
And yes, I am no freakin tech prodigy, but I try, and learn.
That is commendable. However, that is no excuse for sprouting half-knowledge into the faces of unknowing people, even worse if you're just trying to boost your image by "sounding smart", knowing full well that you're talking BS (kudos for admitting it, though).
Why? Everyone else seems to want to flood my thread, I thought I might jump in.
Do you even know the difference between replying and flooding? It's sad when the corrections turn out to be significantly longer than the original post...
The subject is wandering :offtopic:.
Yeah, because the topic has been exhausted halfway down the first page. And judging by the amount of information this thread containes, it'd better be deleted, which would also save you the embarassment of having it in your post history.
also :surrender: to what? You sitting their feeling complacent on correcting my mistakes?
Because you posted 400+ times, You made the point the first time, your words are becoming redundant. It's enough, stop looking at what I am posting and actually go play the game.
Ah, yes, the "if you don't like my thread, don't read it" attitude. It doesn't work that way, though. Especially not if you're talking BS, and advising to do things that are potentially harmful, without any warning whatsoever.
Also, if you insist on there being some sort of difference, it's natural to clarify or prove why there is no difference.
This game a wit is lame, seeing as my opponent is only stating the obvious.
"Opponent"? He's making valid points, and you fail to acknowledge them. And if they're so obvious, then I must wonder why you didn't act by them in the first place.
BTW, using the postcount in order to try to imply that you / we are thinking we can bash you since you have a lowrer PC (making yourself the victim in the hope to gain sympathy) doesn't work here, because people tend to read the thread before replying.
In fact, Gharan was very nice to you, especially considering the amount of immaturity you displayed and the amount of BS you have been talking.
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Vanraa, chill out. We do have rules about double-posting in this forum and Gharan was explaining them. There is no reason to get so aggressive - we can bite back very quickly, I assure you.
Moreover:
Ummm, I only needed to read the first sentance. Of the second part.
When you said no no no no!!!
It isnt good to force your comp to shut down, right.
But restart it properly and force shut it down while windows is loading, thats an easy way to bring up safe mode to run comp as an Admin
You should have really thought it over before you replied. No offence.
Why? I cannot see anything wrong with Hilon's post. And how difficult is it, exactly, to press F8 at the "Starting Windows" text? This is how you are supposed to be loading the menu anyway. No need to jump through extra hoops that have even a slight chance of damaging your PC in the process.