USB device works for administrators but not ''standard'' accounts 1

[JoeBro]

I've got a USB headphone/microphone jack adapter thingy - that could be described in 1,000 words - or just please take a peek at this image:

http://cdn1.webvoo.com/cdn/ebay/peelplus/item/300x300/sku/b/a/c1/pusbscxxad01_pp.jpg?pl=9

When I plug it in on my (administrator) account, it consistently works. Sometimes, I see Windows saying it's installing / updating the drivers for a USB audio composite device when I plug it in. When my kids use it on their (standard user) account, it only sporadically works. The light on it always seems to light up, but you cannot see any indication via the PC that it's plugged in.

How can I get this thing to consistantly work for everyone?

Thank you!
Eliezer

 

[linney]

Have you tried temporarily promoting the Standard users to Admin users, then attaching the USB device, hopefully allowing it to install (and work) correctly. After that return the users back to their current privileges and see if it still works with the demoted users.

 

[JoeBro]

That's a good idea, Linney!
One concern: does doing that affect their NTFS permissions/ownership of files/folders once I've switched their accounts back to demoted users? I have a bunch of folders on which they have varying levels of permissions set - and I don't want to mess all that up...

Thanks again!
Eliezer

 

[linney]

Permissions are based on users privileges, while they are Standard users they have limited access to files etc. When they are Admins they have almost full access to files. The access depends on their user account setting. This for a short time will be increased (but monitored by you, I assume) but only for 5 or 10 minutes before the status quo is returned.

 

[JoeBro]

Understood. I'm not concerned about the interim level of their permissions. I'm concerned about afer I've demoted them back to standard users - I don't want them ending up with more access than before I promoted them.

I've manually granted and denied them NTFS permissions on a number of files/folders through the Properties | Security tab - I just want to make sure that neither the allow/deny permissions - nor ownership of stuff - will be "negatively" affected at the end of my promotion/demotion of their account.

Will it?

 

[linney]

Permission and Access depend on the Group of Users each individual user belongs to. In this case, Admins belong to the Administrators Group and Standard users belong to the Users Group. It is this Group membership which controls access to various locations.

The simple answer is a "No" about any after effect. Things will be as they are before any promotion. You may even still have USB problems but we can then move on and try something else.

 

[JoeBro]

I tried your suggestion, Linney, and promoted my kids' account to an administrator. It didn't work.

I just bumped into a similar symptom - which I'm 99% sure is the exact same problem. When my son plugged his digital camera into a USB, a warning popped-up saying the driver didn't install correctly - and it works fine on mine. While his account was elevated to an administrator, I checked Device Manager and saw the name of his camera listed under "Portable Devices" along with other "potential USB" letters - like F, G, H - things that aren't plugged in - like a card reader that's built-in to the PC. I tried all of my various right-click options but couldn't do anything productive with his camera there. It won't show under "My Computer" using his account no matter what I try - but it shows up there without a hitch everytime under mine.

I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Thanks,
Eliezer

 

[linney]

If your account is working correctly and your Son's account is not then perhaps the next step to look at is the possibility of your Son's account being corrupted.

The first link is for Windows 7, the last link is applicable too as an alternative solution in some circumstances where you may decide to delete you Son and recreate him (not literally, just his user profile). The middle two links are just for background information.

Fix a corrupted user profile

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile

Fix a corrupted user profile

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/769495bf-035c-4764-a538-c9b05c22001e1033.mspx

811151 - How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

Description of Windows Easy Transfer for Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928635