Admin accounts now standard

I have a MacBook Pro that overnight changed all the admin accounts to standard user account including the ROOT account. I even followed the instructions in the apple article TS1278 but it still leaves the root account as an admin. Other than performing a reinstall, is there anything else that can be done.

Hi,
I've to revamp this discussion to clearify few doubts about V.K.'s procedure
I've read the procedure at this link:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7747478
I've to ask something to you V.K.:
1) Sorry but English is not my mother-language so... I can't completely understand this part of your post:
+"If you can't get rid of errors do not proceed with other commands and enter+
reboot
+This will reboot the computer. Post back. "+
Do you mean that if I NOT get errors message I've to reboot the computer and reapeat the "fsck -fy" procedure or I've to reboot anyway and checking again the disk?
2) When you talk about recreating the Administrator Group, if I have more then a user (for istance: A and B), but I want only 1 admin (A), I'll digit only the unix command about user A, is it right?
Will it not cause any problem to user B? Will it still remain a standard user?
Thanks for any response to my questions,
Matteo
Message was edited by: Macteo

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http://prntscr.com/4ce3nx
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In a way it makes sense that the original Admin Account can;t be changed. If a user changed that account to non-admin and that was the only admin account it would be a mess to undo it. I agree that there should be some indication of this and even the ability to over rider it in a case like yours.
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See How to copy a user account for instructions on how to duplicate an account.
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Then, try the steps in http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1274 and http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1323191 If nothing there works, then your only solution is to make copies of the Users and Applications folders to another disk, wipe the current one, reinstall the OS, create a new admin user account, use the migration assistant to transfer the Users to the machine, change their status to admin, ensure that works, and delete the new account. Do the same with the Applications or reinstall them. Once you sort things out, make a bootable backup/clone on an ext HD so this never occurs again.

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In other words, is it better to do all downloading and installing whilst logged into the admin account? The Ownership & Permissions is stopping me from doing this when logged in on my standard account. There are many other standard accounts, and I am concerned that my standard account will not be equal. This is because of the permissions issues outlined previously.
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Hello,
I have not succeeded yet in finding in this forum any answer to my problem but I guess this is a quite familiar one and may be some of you could help.
My configuration:
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Hello again,
I have not received yet any answer to my initial post (see above) but, unfortunately, the troubles described keep going. I noticed that, some of you, seem to be very familiar with Airport troubleshooting. May be, some of you will be able to help.
In addition to my initial description here is the content of the authentification window and, especially, the system element which requires an admin password for the standard account. May be it could help for a better understanding of the problem and a better investigation:
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(12375)

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Admin accounts now standard

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