Thread: BUG #2611: 2 instalation probs: invalid directory and user account creation

The following bug has been logged online:

Bug reference:      2611
Logged by:          Paul Suckling
Email address:      paul.suckling@crmm.umh.ac.be
PostgreSQL version: 8.1.4-1
Operating system:   Windows XP
Description:        2 instalation probs: invalid directory and user account
creation
Details:

I used the file postgresql-8.1.msi to install the software from an
administrator account on an up to date Win XP, using the instructions at

http://pginstaller.projects.postgresql.org/

as suggested by the readme. At the time of installing the software, no other
accounts existed.

Problem 1)

During installation I chose to install the software to

C:\PostgreSQL\8.1\

I have ActivePerl installed (5.8.7), and at the "Enable procedural
languages" step I selected both "PL/pgsql" and "PL/perl".

I got to the installing step, and everything was progressing fine. Just
before the "Installation complete" window, I encountered a couple of error
messages telling me that it couldn't find certain perl related files at
under C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.1\ or something similar.

Problem 2)

During the "Service Configuration" step of the installation, I entered a
non-existant account name (Web) and left the account domain as is. I
expected the installer to create an account for me.

I believe an error must have occured when doing so. I can see the account
directory under

C:\Documents and Settings\Web\

However, when I log off windows, it doesn't appear on the log on screen.
Furthermore, when I investigate "User Accounts" from the control panel, it
doesn't exist there either. I cannot therefore log onto the account, nor
delete the account. If I try to create an account with the same name, it
tells me that one already exists.

Please can you tell me what I should do to resolve this most annoying
problem? I tried uninstalling postgreSQL, but, as I guessed it wouldn't, it
didn't delete this ghost account.

Please let me know if there is any other information I can provide which
will help you.

Thank you,

Paul

> Problem 1)
>=20
> During installation I chose to install the software to=20
>=20
> C:\PostgreSQL\8.1\
>=20
> I have ActivePerl installed (5.8.7), and at the "Enable=20
> procedural languages" step I selected both "PL/pgsql" and "PL/perl".
>=20
> I got to the installing step, and everything was progressing=20
> fine. Just before the "Installation complete" window, I=20
> encountered a couple of error messages telling me that it=20
> couldn't find certain perl related files at under C:\Program=20
> Files\PostgreSQL\8.1\ or something similar.

We'll need the complete error message to help you with that.


> Problem 2)
>=20
> During the "Service Configuration" step of the installation,=20
> I entered a non-existant account name (Web) and left the=20
> account domain as is. I expected the installer to create an=20
> account for me.
>=20
> I believe an error must have occured when doing so. I can see=20
> the account directory under
>=20
> C:\Documents and Settings\Web\
>=20
> However, when I log off windows, it doesn't appear on the log=20
> on screen.
> Furthermore, when I investigate "User Accounts" from the=20
> control panel, it doesn't exist there either. I cannot=20
> therefore log onto the account, nor delete the account. If I=20
> try to create an account with the same name, it tells me that=20
> one already exists.

Is this by any chance XP home?
Anyway, try runnin "net user" and see if it shows up there. It's
probably the GUI doing filtering.

//Magnus

[re-added pgsql-bugs]

> >> Problem 1)
> >>
> >> During installation I chose to install the software to
> >>
> >> C:\PostgreSQL\8.1\
> >>
> >> I have ActivePerl installed (5.8.7), and at the "Enable
> procedural
> >> languages" step I selected both "PL/pgsql" and "PL/perl".
> >>
> >> I got to the installing step, and everything was progressing
> fine.
> >> Just before the "Installation complete" window, I encountered a
> >> couple of error messages telling me that it couldn't find
> certain
> >> perl related files at under C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.1\ or
> >> something similar.
> >
> > We'll need the complete error message to help you with that.
>=20
> Is there a log file somewhere? I'd have to reinstall postgreSQL to
> get the message, but I can't do that today.

Not unless you specifically enable installation logging.


> >> However, when I log off windows, it doesn't appear on the log on
> >> screen.
> >> Furthermore, when I investigate "User Accounts" from the control
> >> panel, it doesn't exist there either. I cannot therefore log
> onto the
> >> account, nor delete the account. If I try to create an account
> with
> >> the same name, it tells me that one already exists.
> >
> > Is this by any chance XP home?
> > Anyway, try runnin "net user" and see if it shows up there. It's
> > probably the GUI doing filtering.
>=20
> Yes. It is XP home.
>=20
> I found that by signing into an administrator account and going to
>=20
> Control Panel > User Accounts
>=20
> selecting "Change the way users log on or off"
>=20
> and un-checking "Use the Welcome screen", I am presented with a
> classic logon prompt where I can enter the username and password of
> the account created by the postgreSQL install and log on to that
> account.
>=20
> I guess that the fact the account + username doesn't appear on the
> welcome screen is a security feature enabled by the postgreSQL
> install, or something similar. Maybe the documentaion/FAQ could be
> updated to mention this behaviour?

Not necessarily a security feature, but a convenience feature. Service
accounts are for services and not for logging on, so it's common
practice not to have them show up on the login screen.


//Magnus