regarding problem #1: there usually is a hidden Administrator account in XP. If you boot into Safe Mode you'll see it. There's a registry setting that makes it visible or invisible at the normal logon screen (I know, I've had to unhide mine before).
As far as one account being an Administrator account, I've had problems before w/ these not having full Administrative priviledges. I'm sure there's a way around it, but I've just went into the true Admin account when I encountered this. It's much less hassle.
regarding problem #2: that F: replacing C: (or shadowing it) is a real bugger. There is a fix somewhere on MS's site, but I didn't implement it. With all the trouble it takes you might as well just wipe that drive and start over. It WILL continue to give you problems until you fix it.
