How to stop the "Welcome Screen" and change password

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nick
  • Start date Start date
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Nick

It's not accepting what I thought was the password I used. I don't know if I
am using the wrong password or if
the problem lies elsewhere. When I first go to CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2 the
box for the username that you want automatically logged on is not checked -
I have to check it in order to highlight the user name then I uncheck it.
Can you suggest anything else I can try? I don't know how to confirm or
change the password. The dialog box says to reset it, press CTRL-ALT-DLT but
when I do that I just get the Task Manager dialog box. I'd appreciate it
VERY much if someone could help me with this.

Nick
 
It's not accepting what I thought was the password I used. I don't know if I
am using the wrong password or if
the problem lies elsewhere. When I first go to CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2 the
box for the username that you want automatically logged on is not checked -
I have to check it in order to highlight the user name then I uncheck it.
Can you suggest anything else I can try? I don't know how to confirm or
change the password. The dialog box says to reset it, press CTRL-ALT-DLT but
when I do that I just get the Task Manager dialog box. I'd appreciate it
VERY much if someone could help me with this.

Nick
Click to expand...

Since the dialog for setting up autologon is not accepting the password as
you remember it, try resetting the password for your account.

To change a password using *only* the "control userpasswords2" window (no
prompt for Ctrl+Alt+Del or for the old password), you cannot be logged on
to the account you want to change the password for.

If you are logged on to the account that needs a password change, you are
prompted to press Ctrl+Alt+Del to bring up the Win 2000 style log on
prompt. If the Welcome screen is enabled, Ctrl+Alt+Del will bring up Task
Manager instead.

You have a choice at this point:

--Log on to another account in the administrator group and use "control
userpasswords2" to change the password for the account with the forgotten
password.

--Turn off the welcome screen. Restart the computer. Log on to your account
normally. Then use "control userpasswords2" Now when you are prompted to
press Ctrl+Alt+Del, the Win2000 style log on will appear. Finish the on
screen dialogs. You can re-enable the welcome screen again if you'd like.
If you use Fast User Switching, you will want to do this.

(NOTE: I have used the first method to change the password successfully. I
haven't tried the second one so do not know if you will be prompted for the
old password or not. If you are prompted for the old password, you'll have
to try the other method -- that of logging on with a different
administrator account.)

To turn off the Welcome Screen: Control Panel> User Accounts> Pick a task>
Change how users log on or off. Remove check next to "Use Welcome screen."

Once you have this all done, consider creating a password reset disk
(requires one floppy disk). If you forget your password again - very
possible since you'll set up auto logon and won't be typing the password
over and over - the password reset disk can be used to easily change it
again.

To do this: Open Control Panel> User Accounts. Click on the icon for your
account. In the screen that shows up, click on "Prevent a forgotten
password" in the left column. A wizard screen will appear that will walk
you through the steps of creating the reset password disk. Store the disk
for future use.
 
I have an urgent problem now that may be related to this issue - starting
yesterday, sometimes when I turn the computer on it gets stuck with a blue
screen that says Windows is Starting Up. (I'm working on changing the
password). I need to know what to do if it gets stuck again with the screen
that says Windows is Starting Up. For all I know, this could be the last
time I get the computer to go beyond that screen. I will post this problem
as a separate question also since I can't be sure if or when you all will
followup my response to your responses.
I would appreciate some help with this very much,
Nick
 
I have an urgent problem now that may be related to this issue - starting
yesterday, sometimes when I turn the computer on it gets stuck with a blue
screen that says Windows is Starting Up. (I'm working on changing the
password). I need to know what to do if it gets stuck again with the screen
that says Windows is Starting Up. For all I know, this could be the last
time I get the computer to go beyond that screen. I will post this problem
as a separate question also since I can't be sure if or when you all will
followup my response to your responses.
I would appreciate some help with this very much,
Click to expand...

If it gets stuck at the logon screen, be sure it is really stuck. Check the
LED light for the hard drive. If it's blinking, be patient. It not
blinking, (this is risky but you're stuck and in trouble anyhow) restart
the computer to Safe Mode.

To get to Safe Mode, press F8 right after POST (the system diagnostics
screen that appears during the initial boot) and before Windows starts to
load. The Advanced Start Menu appears. Select Safe Mode. If using XP Pro,
you can log on with any account in the Administrator group. If using XP
Home, you'll log on with the built in Administrator account. User name:
Administrator Password: leave it blank

Once in Safe Mode, look around to see if you can figure out why it is not
starting as it should. Event Viewer should hold some clues about this. You
could also use MSCONFIG to disable startup programs in case one of those
are causing your normal startup to falter.

If XP won't start in Safe Mode either, you could go back to the advanced
start menu and try using "Last Known Good", or run System Restore from a
command line or consider performing a repair install.
 
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