PostgreSQL installation problem on Windows XP Home

["Hagop H." <HagopH(at)hotpop(dot)com>]

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