the real administrator user

[mufka]

SBS 2008 disables the default administrator user. During install you create a new admin user. I've found that the new admin user that you create does not have the same privileges as the disabled administrator user. The new admin user doesn't show up in Active Directory Users and Computers, but the old one does. The new admin user does show up under the SBS Console, but the old one doesn't.

The privileges that you need to manage Exchange (e.g. the ability to shutdown Exchange from the command line) are not given to the new admin user and you can't add that user to the same groups as the disabled one because those groups only show up under ADU&C.

How is this normally done?

 

[mofusjtf]

I think you typically use the 'run as' feature with programs like the command prompt or exchange management shell. At least that is how I've worked around this.

 

[shinomen]

Althought it's not good security practice anymore, I always logon to the box under administrator.

To find the administrator account click start, administrative tools, active directory users and groups. Look for the folder called "Users" that is in the root of the active directory. Under this you should see Administrator. If the account is disabled, simply enable it and give it a password.

Then you can logon under administrator.