I haven’t tried this exact scenario, but my first idea would be the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

Being new to the task, I would highly recommend giving it a try. At the worst, it’s a learning experience. You can delete the new user account and try another approach if you don’t like the results.

How to use the “Files and Settings Transfer Wizard” in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/293118

Change the admin account to a power user account, and it will be exactly what you want, then set up another admin account for when you need root.

Edit: Open the new admin acct first, while you still have The Power!

@dpworkin‘s idea is best

@jaytkay didn’t work, now I am trying to copy start menus and settings
@dpworkin how can a power user set up an admin without being one? I set up a second admin and am now trying to downgrade the first to power user but have not succeeded yet. And I am trying to save all the configuration to the account I use.

You should be able to change the properties of the admin account from the User Accounts applet in Control Panel.

thnx will try

where is the program ‘client services for netware’

Uh-oh, you are getting the Microsoft Runaround. See if it is in the Features module of the Programs applet.

oh I found it—i just think it is a wrong move. I now have 2 users with admin privileges, one has no programs or config, one has all.
the above was an effort to lick the problem by copying settings for the original configuration into an admin account and a second user account and then enable fast login with the icons on a welcome screen. the welcome screen was no go because of the netware client business, but so were the configurations so i have just spawned some useless users and trying to go back to my original setup with admin privileges and no password on the configured account is no go and I’m afraid to change it because when I tried to change it to power user I got a lit of questions i couldn’t answer.

I looked up ‘client services for netware’ and found instructions for removing, but I checked before doing and found messages begging for how to reinstall same because it terminated ijnternet access. I don’t know enough to know what would happen.