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

--Bearden Barnes

-----Original Message-----
From: Hagop H. [mailto:HagopH(at)hotpop(dot)com]
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 4:08 PM
To: PGSQL-novice(at)postgresql(dot)org; PGSQL-cygwin(at)postgresql(dot)org;
PGSQL-admin(at)postgresql(dot)org; PGSQL-general(at)postgresql(dot)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