How to rename user accounts or transfer files between user accounts?

Hi ericuy,  the reason you probably didnt get answers is the zone
 you posted in, windowsxp zone would have been a the right choice.
just to clarify things a little,
My new laptop is now configured by the computershop<< does this imply it's a new laptop and a new install of XP, and this install was configured by the computershop?
If so they may have installed xp and regestered it using just your first name.
Changing an account is not changing default administrator account name.
Take a look at the name regestred to the machine.
Right click my computer properties.
Really the best way out of this problem is to perform a re-install of xp then regester  the correct name you want to use during setup.
Is this XP home or xp pro?

Merete,
Yes, it's a new laptop and a new install of XP, and this install was configured by the computershop
OS is XP Pro
I have many files already in the username (wrong one) subdirectory and I need to transfer those files.

Thank you glad it's xp pro.
You can try taking ownership of them ericuy

Log on to the computer with an account that has administrative credentials.
Using Windows XP Professional, you must disable Simple File Sharing first then reboot.
Go to tools folders options View look right to the bottom.
-------------------------------
If you can't see the default administrator log off your current and back on using it.
then
Right-click the folder/file that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
In the Name list, click your user name, or click Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or click the Administrators group.
If you want to take ownership of the contents of that folder, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
Click OK, and then click Yes when you receive the following message:
You do not have permission to read the contents of directory folderName.
Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control?
All permissions will be replaced if you press Yes.
Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and its contents.
Good Luck

Disable the firewall for now.
Or add the software  to the exceptions.
You may have to re-install some software with your new user name.
For networking you'll need to check that you are in the correct workgroup.
You may have to contact these computer guys to set thinsg right for you.

Another idea r/click my computer properties advanced User Profiles>settings
click on the other account and copy to.

First try this.

Change the username on your desktop back to First Name Last name. Make sure it is exactly as it was!!!

Then go to the laptop under control panel user accounts and creat a user named EXACTLY the same as the user on the desktop. (By the way what OS is running on the Desktop).

Log on as this new usser and try to access a share on the desktop.

Now test from the desktop to a share you created under the new user on the laptop.

If this solves your network problem than we can move on to copying your profiles without having to set everything up all over again.

it's a simple permissions problem.

Merete, I really like your idea to copy profiles and I will use that the next time when I need to move my data files and applications. It is not useful for this mess though.

Hank74,

I did what you said and now I can see the share on either computers. How do you recommend I transfer files and settings and applications (without reinstalling)?

Eric

Ok so first remind me does both computers have XP?

Oh and sorry about getting back to you.

Also give me an Idea about what files  settings and apps you want to transfer?

Hank,
Both computers have WIndows XP Professional. I would like to transfer MS Outlook with Business Contact Manager (MDF-files), all my documents that I keep in the My Documents folder, desktop icons, registry, control panel settings etc.

registry<< noway
transfer MS Outlook with Business << noway it has be re-installed then transfer the settings and any saved backups. Addresses store folders etc to the new account
you can only transfer personal settings and files not applications.

Maybe a simpler work around is need here,
first are networking a desktop to laptop? both xp pro?
>>>This account allows me to network but only in one direction (desktop to laptop).
We could fix the networking.
How do you have them connected via a router? >>ethernet cable,
 or direct cable PC to PC >>> cross over cable
http://www.conniq.com/WinXPNetworking_Ethernet_direct_connection.htm
http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/filexfer.html

Work around
not sure which is your default computer here desktop or laptop. so I'll go with the new laptop and the desktop is the one giving you problems,
Have you considered slaving the hard drive from the desktop  to this laptop?
Then you can access a lot more stuff maybe even use some of the programs of the desktop hard drive
All you need is an external hard drive enclosure for your desktop hard drive >> USB
 plug that into the laptop USB and then it will appear as another drive.

Another work around
Probably the best way out of this mess is to ghost the hard drive.
create an image of it  with Acronis True Image
The new laptop regestry will be different from the old everything you had installed in the old will need to be re-installed unless the new laptop is exactly the same mainboard hard drive etc etc

Ok I do agree with Merete about the registry and Control panel for the most part.

First you will need to make sure MS Outlook is installed on the Laptop, along with what ever other programs your going to be using. Unfortunutly most programs are not transferable.

Then on the Desktop make sure you can log in as another secondary user account  that has administrator rights. For example Administrator or just create one, you can delete it later.

Now reboot the Desktop and log in as this secondary account. We do this because the account you want to transfer must be totally inactive. If you just log off of the primary account and log in as the secondary account XP will leave some of the account settings cached in memory for fast user switching. This will result in a failure to copy all files.

Now we've rebooted and logged in as the secandary account. Create a folder on the on the C: called ProfileBackup open and minimize.

Now under my computer go to the Documents and Settings folder locate your Primary user open the profile go to Tools and select Folder Options. Click the View tab and in the Advanced settings window find Show Hidden Files and Folders and select it. Click OK

Now select Edit and click  Select All then, Edit and Copy.

Maximize the ProfileBackup folder and select Edit and Paste. Now copy this folder into a shared folder.

Now go to the laptop and make sure all the programs you need are installed. This is very important. Like I said you CAN NOT TRANSFER PROGRAMS they must be reinstalled...

Now using the same method as before make sure you have a secondary user on the laptop. Reboot and log in as the secondary user.

Access the shared folder and copy the ProfileBackup folder to your Laptop.

Now open the folder and select Edit, click  Select All then, Edit and Copy.

Once again go to the Documents and Settings of the Laptop and open the primary user profile then paste the folders and files into place. Yes to all you do want to replace the other files and folders.

If you have all MS Outlook installed place than most of the time you won't even have to add the user name and password under the email accounts.

Warning this works 90% of the time with out error but can cause system failure's in that case format and reload and start all over...

Hank,

I tried your steps, but received the error message (paraphrased) "Cannot copy CIMSTORE; the file is in use by another applciation, close it first and then copy". See also attached bitmap.

When I search for this file in the source profile, the search does not produce the file. I am flustered. Whta to do next?

Eric
error-message-when-copying-profi.bmp

hmm made me wonder,
it's probably owned by the system AV or some kind of security tool.
By stopping the security services and program you maybe able to access it. Safemode as suggested.
example where it may reside if you have Symantics on.
c:\documents and settings\User\application data\symantec\npmdatastore\cimstore.xml".

Cimstore
CIMStore is a system where changes to all blocks that reach stable storage (whether via file system flush or direct writes to raw disk) are logged.
http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1195180&coll=portal&dl=ACM

When I used:
- Hank's solution: I received error messages as shown
- YoungHV solution: it created an account in which i could not save any information: I could not save files, I could not save a new layout of icons on my desktop
- Merete: some of your comments were useful