Somebody else is logged ont my PC - but there's nobody else here?

[comp101]

I logged off my home computer last night and got a message something to the effect of "you can't log off, somebody else is logged on to your computer." So I pulled out the plug and disconnected the internet connection. I run Norton AV Corporate Edition and realtime protection is enabled. I also ran a Norton AV scan this morning and nothing turned up. I also use Zonealarms as well. The Operating system in Windows XP Pro. Nobody else has access to the computer as I live alone.

What does this mean?

Two possible clues:

1. I decided to add another user yesterday (in case Mom came over), as previously I was only user and running the system as administrator. System would not let me create another user as it said I needed to create an administrator (yet I already had one). So I created another administrator (which I called it administrator2), then created another user. Next time I logged on the original administrator account disappeared. I still have the folder C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator with the Favorites files, Desktop and other files.

By the way, why did this happen? I guess I can import my favorites back, but I'm not sure how to get back my email messages and contacts.

2. When I was on, I tried once to click off the MSN messenger program at the bottom right of the screen and it also said that some other program like iexplorer, windows explorer, outlook express, etc. was using it. I had no other programs running at the time.

3. Sometimes my screen blinks and Norton anti-virus icon disappears from the bottom right of the screen. I might get disconnected at the same time but I am not sure about the latter.

I use Zonealarms, Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition, Ad-aware.
Hijack This didn?t seem to have anything interesting show up.

Thanks in advance for all help.

 

[CTho9305]

I think it warns you if you have shared folders and somebody is using them (or used them recently?).

 

[bsobel]

1. I decided to add another user yesterday (in case Mom came over), as previously I was only user and running the system as administrator. System would not let me create another user as it said I needed to create an administrator (yet I already had one). So I created another administrator (which I called it administrator2), then created another user. Next time I logged on the original administrator account disappeared. I still have the folder C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator with the Favorites files, Desktop and other files.

That is normal behaviour for XP. XP wants you to create a admin level account with a different name and just use the true 'administrator' account for maintenance. Once you create that second admin, the maintenance one is hidden.

Are you sure that in setting up all of these accounts you didn't accidently leave one of them logged in after testing? With FUS you don't need to log out to switch accounts, if you did this you'd get that exact message your asking about.

To see this, log in ask Administrator2 then hit WindowsKey-L, log in as your mom. Then try to shutdown, you'll get the message since Administator2 is still logged in.

Bill

 

[comp101]

Originally posted by: bsobel

That is normal behaviour for XP. XP wants you to create a admin level account with a different name and just use the true 'administrator' account for maintenance. Once you create that second admin, the maintenance one is hidden.

Are you sure that in setting up all of these accounts you didn't accidently leave one of them logged in after testing? With FUS you don't need to log out to switch accounts, if you did this you'd get that exact message your asking about.

To see this, log in ask Administrator2 then hit WindowsKey-L, log in as your mom. Then try to shutdown, you'll get the message since Administator2 is still logged in.

Bill

Thanks Bill, I think that is what possibly happened. Thanks for the WindowsKey-L tip as well.

You mentioned that the maintenance administrator is hidden. Is there ever a point where I should use it? Can it be accessed?

 

[Smilin]

Yes, you can access it by hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del twice at the welcome screen to get a normal logon dialog. Then just login as "administrator" and it's password.

I wouldn't suggest using this account for anything but be SURE you always know the password to it. It is the only password that will work at recovery console.