XP Profiles Have Me Baffled!

fifeclub posted this at 14:50 — 27th August 2004.

Joined: Feb 2001

(Warning: This will be a very long post.)
(FYI, this thread actually started here, but the background is not vital to this new thread.)

So I got my new computer and I was worried about transferring all of my old stuff over. Little did I know that would be the least of my problems. I was about ready to kick this thing through the window last night, which is appropriate considering how these are Windows related issue. I've been using computers for years and years and I know more about how they work than anybody I know who isn't an IT professional. So I'm no computer genius but I'm not a dumbass either.... or at least I didn't think I was until the last few days.

The bottom line is that I never used Microsoft XP before and I feel like somebody who's never used a computer before, asking what a keyboard is. Nothing, absolutely nothing is working out the way I planned. Please help answer some of my stupid questions before I tear the rest of my hair out.

THE NEED FOR XP PROFILES?
I have never utilized different profiles before, however it was strongly suggested that I use profiles because of my situation. My computer is used by only my wife and myself, but I like to use Mozilla FF and TB for browsing and email and my wife sticks with Microsoft IE and OE. That's all fine and worked for years but it was a nuisance for me because when I clicked on an email link in TB it would open in IE and if I clicked an email link in FF it would open in OE. (She won the "default" wars) So I've been told by IT people and on the Mozilla forums that Profiles in XP were the answer. I was told that I could have FF and TB set as the defaults on my profile and my wife could have IE and OE set as her defaults. Is this fact correct, because it didn't work for me at all? I went to my Profile and installed FF and TB, making each the defaults. I then switched to her Profile and found that her settings got all screwed up. Not only were her defaults changed, but her desktop and start bar icons had been switched too. So what's the deal with having different defaults? Because if this isn't even true then there's not much point to me even using different profiles on my new computer.

INSTALLING PROGRAMS
I was told that having different Profiles would not (ususally) cause me problems with installing new applications. My concern was that I would need to install applications twice, once for each application. I was told that wouldn't be a problem and that I would only need to install programs once. This has proven to be true... but only in part.

1) I installed Microsoft Money on Profile 1 and it did not show up on Profile 2, either on the desktop or in the full list of software. I did a system search to find the money program and found it. I manually put a shortcut on Desktop 2, but when I double clicked it, I had to start the setup all over again for her Profile.

2) I installed Palm Desktop on Profle 1. Same thing happened, with it not showing up on Profile 2.

So at this point I'm thinking that I do infact need to install all applications twice. But wait, along comes install #3 which messes up any consistency.

3) I then installed Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird, as mentioned earlier. But THIS TIME they DID show up on the desktop of Profile #2, as well as changing her defaults. What's up with that?

So what's the deal with installing programs? Why do some install only on one profile while others install on both profiles?

LOST EMAIL SETTINGS
Two days ago I set up my dial-up ISP, which took a lot more effort than it should have. As you may have guessed, I then had to do the entire process again on Profile 2. Then the next day I turn on my computer and try to connect to the internet and although the default Connection Settings are still listed, XP seems to have changed all my password and domain information so they won't work without manually fixing them. Is XP is going to reset my dial-up settings everyday? (rhetorical question) After redoing this no less than a dozen times I went mad! Plus it was like impossible to find the "autodial anytime a connection is needed" function, which seems to be inaccessible from the contral panel options. Plus there's the added torment that autodisconnect will only work with Microsoft products. It is apparently a known truth that autodisconnect will not function when closing Mozilla FF or TB. Aargh.

POP-UPS GALORE
Not internet pop-ups but internal. First, every time I put a CD of data in my disk drive, it tries to autoplay it. Well since it's not music it always pups up with an annoying "what do you want to open these files with" dialog. How do I turn this off (except maybe keeping it for music only)?

Secondly, It keep popping up with those autoinstalled software reminders. One in particular asks me to install pop-up and spam software. I chose "don't remind me" yet it reminds me every time I restart the computer. That's just wrong!

Shared Folders
So I noticed the Shared Folders. Do I need to keep everything I want shared in there? What about programs?

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So anyway, I feel like I don't even know how a computer works anymore and I don't want to intall or restore any more of my old stuff until I figure all this crap out. Can somebody enlighten me on this bastard child XP, especially in regards to the mystery that is Profiles? HELP!!! Much obliged.

kb posted this at 15:22 — 27th August 2004.

He has: 1,380 posts

Joined: Feb 2002

Ok...I'm going to tackle some of these:
Profiles
Maybe you don't have them set up correctly, as each user should have their own settings. Make sure you don't have them sharing settings. Also, if yours is the "Master" account or w/e its called, and her's isnt...maybe thats causing an issue
Installing Programs
Make sure when you install, if there's an option to "install to this profile" or "install on this computer", pick this computer. You can also go in under the "Master" account, and modify the other user's settings, even as far as which programs they can use. Check that out.
Lost Email Settings
I don't know whats going on here, because I am on networked DSL, but word on the street is if you download SP2 that came out on Wednesday, that fixes alot of the Internet Connection Manager issues.
Pop-ups Galore
You can disable auto-play, or configure it to only auto-play certain types. It's in Control Panel somewhere.
Shared Folders
Here's how it works. The "Master" accounts can view anybodys files, but not vice versa. If you want to share documents back and forth (MP3s, movies, docs, htmls, w/e...but not programs), yes, you need to store them in there.

I hope I helped.

fifeclub posted this at 16:05 — 27th August 2004.

He has: 688 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

Eskater05 wrote: Ok...I'm going to tackle some of these:
Profiles
Maybe you don't have them set up correctly, as each user should have their own settings. Make sure you don't have them sharing settings. Also, if yours is the "Master" account or w/e its called, and her's isnt...maybe thats causing an issue
Installing Programs
Make sure when you install, if there's an option to "install to this profile" or "install on this computer", pick this computer. You can also go in under the "Master" account, and modify the other user's settings, even as far as which programs they can use. Check that out.

Thanks. I guess the first question would be, like you said, am I using it correctly? I am using the profile that was created when I first turned on the computer. I guess that would be considered the Master Account??? I'm not at home right now but I think it called it an "Administrator" type of profile, but I can't remember. I later created Profile #2 thru the control panel. The only two choices were Adminstrator or Limited (or some similar terms). Because I was told that only an Administrator can install programs (which could be annoying if it's something as simple as updating your Showckwave), I set up #2 as another Administrator. Was this bad?

One thing I noticed was that when saving a file, Profile #2 had /my_wife's_name/ in the path name, but saving a file on Profile #2 did not say my name in the path. I'm not at that computer right now but I think it said "user" or something like that in the location where my wife's name was found. Does that fact mean something?

I installed 4-6 applications yesterday, but never was I asked if I wanted it installed "on this profile" or "on this computer". That would've been great but it never asked me.

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So if I can configure things the right way.... will Profiles save my "default browser/email war"? Or are are there other complications with Profiles that just outweigh the benefit?

Thanks

kb posted this at 16:09 — 27th August 2004.

He has: 1,380 posts

Joined: Feb 2002

Yes profiles should fix the war you ae having.

Having two Admins is fine...but I don't know why one would save to another's settings.

I have noticed though, (just remembered) that when installing programs, sometimes they are installed on the whole computer, but fail to be put in the Program Files menu on the other user's profile...you can do that manually, and things should be fine.

compwolf posted this at 05:36 — 29th August 2004.

He has: 72 posts

Joined: Nov 2003

I highly reccomend using the "help and support" option in the start menu ... you will find a lot of your answers in there ... also there are some great CD learning softwares as well as the "Windows XP for Dummies" book that will help you become a fluent user of XP ... before getting into the service packs and critical updates I would bone up on XP before you get too buried ... Depending on the version you are running there are Huge differences in their behaviours ...

What I mean by the last statement is the Home edition has a lot less of the security features and setup options that the XP professional version has ...

Another option if you have the time is to take a CIS course at your local college ... it will teach you many things about using the windows environment in XP as well as some good stuf on the more common Office applications ...