Well to change a users access level you can change it in the account table of the database, or you can change the default starting level in the variables tab. You change the number in the commands table by simply editing it with a sql editing tool. I hope that clears it up a bit... it's easy to understand when you know how to do it
Maybe knowing what you use to edit the database will help me to understand what your seeing. Poking around in the database with an editor will help you learn a lot about how it works.
Let me know if you need anymore help, and good luck!