Thread: PostgreSQL installation problem on Windows XP Home

-----Original Message-----
From: Hagop H. [mailto:HagopH@hotpop.com]
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 4:08 PM
To: PGSQL-novice@postgresql.org; PGSQL-cygwin@postgresql.org; PGSQL-admin@postgresql.org; PGSQL-general@postgresql.org
Subject: [ADMIN] PostgreSQL installation problem on Windows XP Home

I know that my problem is due to my carelessness and ignorance, but I didn't think that installing PostgreSQL would cause a state of affairs not easily reversed. Please excuse the length of the following narrative.

 

When installing PostgreSQL 8.0.1 on my laptop running Windows XP Home (SP2), I let the installer create the postgres account and generate a password. I didn't write down the password. I figured that if the installer was going to generate a random password, it would store it in some configuration or log file and not ask me for it. I was wrong. (Perhaps a warning for idiots like me would be appropriate in the MSI installer file?) When I went to connect to the template1 database, PGAdmin III asked me for the postgres account password, which I was unable to provide.

 

Normally this wouldn't be a problem. I figured I'd just start up Control Panel and change the postgres account password. Unfortunately, Windows XP Home doesn't provide any obvious tools to change a system account password. I only know how to change user account passwords. Control Panel's User Accounts tool is useless for this problem.

 

I uninstalled PostgreSQL, thinking that reinstalling it might help. I tried removing the postgres account to no avail. My only indication that the postgres account still exists is the Windows Services administration utility. I know of no method to delete the account. Microsoft's Knowledge Base provided no help. Windows XP Professional contains a tool called Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc) that allows the administrator to change any account's password. Windows XP Home cannot run that program.

 

When I reinstall PostgreSQL, I am asked for the postgres account password. I know I could rename the postgres account name to postgres1 or something else, but I don't know if that will create any further issues for me. I could also upgrade the laptop's OS to XP Pro in order to change the postgres account password, but that feels like using a sledgehammer to cut diamonds.

 

I certainly bear most of the blame. It would be too easy to bash Microsoft for this. I also wish that PostgreSQL's installer did not auto-generate passwords that cannot be changed. None of what I went through was necessary.

 

If someone could tell me either how to delete the postgres account or change its password, I would appreciate the assistance.

 

Regards,

 

Hagop Hagopian

Hagop,
You may have missed an earlier post from Jim McMaster in the general list to
someone else with a similar problem.  Assuming you've uninstalled PostgreSQL
and want to reinstall, try the command "net user /delete postgres" to delete
the account and start over.  I've copied Jim's email below.

--Bearden


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim McMaster [mailto:jim.mcmaster@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 6:08 PM
To: pgsql-general@postgresql.org
Subject: Re: [GENERAL] postgres service account


-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

I found this same problem.  The uninstall really needs to remove this
account.  Either that, or the next install process needs to be able
to get the random password somehow.
Open a command prompt, then use the command "net user /delete
postgres" to get rid of the account. "net user" shows all users.
- --
Jim McMaster
mailto:jim.mcmaster@comcast.net

-----Original Message-----
From: pgsql-admin-owner@postgresql.org [mailto:pgsql-admin-owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Hagop H.
Sent: den 4 mars 2005 22:08
To: PGSQL-novice@postgresql.org; PGSQL-cygwin@postgresql.org; PGSQL-admin@postgresql.org; PGSQL-general@postgresql.org
Subject: [ADMIN] PostgreSQL installation problem on Windows XP Home

I know that my problem is due to my carelessness and ignorance, but I didn’t think that installing PostgreSQL would cause a state of affairs not easily reversed. Please excuse the length of the following narrative.

 

When installing PostgreSQL 8.0.1 on my laptop running Windows XP Home (SP2), I let the installer create the postgres account and generate a password. I didn’t write down the password. I figured that if the installer was going to generate a random password, it would store it in some configuration or log file and not ask me for it. I was wrong. (Perhaps a warning for idiots like me would be appropriate in the MSI installer file?) When I went to connect to the template1 database, PGAdmin III asked me for the postgres account password, which I was unable to provide.

 

Normally this wouldn’t be a problem. I figured I’d just start up Control Panel and change the postgres account password. Unfortunately, Windows XP Home doesn’t provide any obvious tools to change a system account password. I only know how to change user account passwords. Control Panel’s User Accounts tool is useless for this problem.

 

I uninstalled PostgreSQL, thinking that reinstalling it might help. I tried removing the postgres account to no avail. My only indication that the postgres account still exists is the Windows Services administration utility. I know of no method to delete the account. Microsoft’s Knowledge Base provided no help. Windows XP Professional contains a tool called Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc) that allows the administrator to change any account’s password. Windows XP Home cannot run that program.

 

When I reinstall PostgreSQL, I am asked for the postgres account password. I know I could rename the postgres account name to postgres1 or something else, but I don’t know if that will create any further issues for me. I could also upgrade the laptop’s OS to XP Pro in order to change the postgres account password, but that feels like using a sledgehammer to cut diamonds.

 

I certainly bear most of the blame. It would be too easy to bash Microsoft for this. I also wish that PostgreSQL’s installer did not auto-generate passwords that cannot be changed. None of what I went through was necessary.

 

If someone could tell me either how to delete the postgres account or change its password, I would appreciate the assistance.

 

Regards,

 

Hagop Hagopian

I did:

Start | Run | mmc | OK.

File | Add/Remove Snap-in | Add... | Local Users and Groups | Add | Local
computer. | Finish.

(A message reading, "This computer is running Windows XP Home Edition. This
snapin may not be used with that version of Windows. To manage user accounts
for this computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel," came
up.)


I couldn't get MMC to do what it does on my Windows XP Pro computer, no
matter what I tried. The more I think about this, the more I realize that
it's all Microsoft's fault. Changing a password on any type of account on my
PC should be something it lets me do.


Hagop

 _____

From: Bearden Barnes [mailto:BBarnes@sprich.com]
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 5:31 PM
To: 'Hagop Hagopian'
Subject: RE: [ADMIN] PostgreSQL installation problem on Windows XP Home


I had to use the directions last week (on my computer at home, not with me
here now at work) I recall having to go through some extra steps to get the
Local Users and Groups plug-in.  Once I figured out how to see the Local
Users and Groups plug-in (File | Add/Remove Snap-in | Add... | Local Users
and Groups | Add | OK) I was able to see the hidden accounts.


Are you just going to Start | Run then typing in mmc?

-----Original Message-----
From: Hagop Hagopian [mailto:HagopH@hotpop.com]
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 5:19 PM
To: Bearden Barnes
Subject: RE: [ADMIN] PostgreSQL installation problem on Windows XP Home

Scratch that previous message. This does not work on Windows XP Home. When I
open the Local Users and Groups snap-in, I get the following message:


This computer is running Windows XP Home Edition. This snapin may not be
used with that version of Windows. To manage user accounts for this
computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel.


 _____


From: Bearden Barnes [mailto:BBarnes@sprich.com]
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 5:10 PM
To: 'Hagop H.'
Cc: PGSQL-novice@postgresql.org; PGSQL-cygwin@postgresql.org;
PGSQL-admin@postgresql.org; PGSQL-general@postgresql.org
Subject: RE: [ADMIN] PostgreSQL installation problem on Windows XP Home


See the following article in Microsoft's Knowledgebase which describes how
to get to the system accounts in Windows XP Home.  It specifically addresses
changing the Windows administrator password, but as long as you follow the
directions you should see the postgres account along with administrator and
other system accounts.


Cannot Change the Password for the Administrator Account in User Accounts in
Control Panel


Article ID

:

298252

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298252


--Bearden Barnes


-----Original Message-----
From: Hagop H. [mailto:HagopH@hotpop.com]
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 4:08 PM
To: PGSQL-novice@postgresql.org; PGSQL-cygwin@postgresql.org;
PGSQL-admin@postgresql.org; PGSQL-general@postgresql.org
Subject: [ADMIN] PostgreSQL installation problem on Windows XP Home

I know that my problem is due to my carelessness and ignorance, but I didn't
think that installing PostgreSQL would cause a state of affairs not easily
reversed. Please excuse the length of the following narrative.


When installing PostgreSQL 8.0.1 on my laptop running Windows XP Home (SP2),
I let the installer create the postgres account and generate a password. I
didn't write down the password. I figured that if the installer was going to
generate a random password, it would store it in some configuration or log
file and not ask me for it. I was wrong. (Perhaps a warning for idiots like
me would be appropriate in the MSI installer file?) When I went to connect
to the template1 database, PGAdmin III asked me for the postgres account
password, which I was unable to provide.


Normally this wouldn't be a problem. I figured I'd just start up Control
Panel and change the postgres account password. Unfortunately, Windows XP
Home doesn't provide any obvious tools to change a system account password.
I only know how to change user account passwords. Control Panel's User
Accounts tool is useless for this problem.


I uninstalled PostgreSQL, thinking that reinstalling it might help. I tried
removing the postgres account to no avail. My only indication that the
postgres account still exists is the Windows Services administration
utility. I know of no method to delete the account. Microsoft's Knowledge
Base provided no help. Windows XP Professional contains a tool called Local
Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc) that allows the administrator to change any
account's password. Windows XP Home cannot run that program.


When I reinstall PostgreSQL, I am asked for the postgres account password. I
know I could rename the postgres account name to postgres1 or something
else, but I don't know if that will create any further issues for me. I
could also upgrade the laptop's OS to XP Pro in order to change the postgres
account password, but that feels like using a sledgehammer to cut diamonds.


I certainly bear most of the blame. It would be too easy to bash Microsoft
for this. I also wish that PostgreSQL's installer did not auto-generate
passwords that cannot be changed. None of what I went through was necessary.


If someone could tell me either how to delete the postgres account or change
its password, I would appreciate the assistance.


Regards,


Hagop Hagopian