How do I get rid of startup screen of User names? SP2 seems to have slowed everything down...

  • Thread starter Thread starter David D
  • Start date Start date
D

David D

Against my better judgement, I should have put SP2 on my machine, it
is really slow booting now, sucks to be me. PArt of it is the blasted
startup screen with user names, how can I get rid of this?
 
David said:
Against my better judgement, I should have put SP2 on my machine, it
is really slow booting now, sucks to be me. PArt of it is the blasted
startup screen with user names, how can I get rid of this?
Click to expand...

It is extremely unlikely that displaying the Welcome Screen is causing
your issues. However, it is easy enough to use the classic logon. Go to
Control Panel>User Accounts>Change the way users log on. Uncheck "Use
the Welcome Screen" and "Fast User Switching".

If you'd like help doing a real diagnosis of your computer's problems
after installing SP2, we'll need more information about your machine. In
the meantime, here are some SP2-related links:

Are You Ready for WinXP SP2? -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=windowsxpsp2
Follow the Service Pack Installation Checklist -
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm
http://aumha.net/index.php?c=16 - Windows XP - Service Pack 2 - FAQs &
Best Practices
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_s.htm#sp2 - Windows SP2 Information,
Guidelines and Troubleshooting
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#General
Troubleshooting SP2 for Windows XP - http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm
SP2 Support Center -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?&pr=windowsxpsp2


Malke
 
David D said:
Against my better judgement, I should have put SP2 on my machine, it
is really slow booting now, sucks to be me. PArt of it is the blasted
startup screen with user names, how can I get rid of this?
Click to expand...

How long has it been since SP2 was installed? It can take several days and
3 or 4 reboots for it to speed up. First defrag. The boot prefetch will
kick in after the 3 rd reboot. It takes several days for the prefetch
folder to be rebuilt. And the in built optimization kicks in every 3 days.
After that defrag again. If the system is still slow after some days try
some clean boot troubleshooting to see what may be hanging up on startup. A
program may need to be uninstalled / reinstalled:

How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310353

As to the Welcome Screen question, I doubt that is causing the slow down,
but you can set the system to auto logon to a particular account. This will
bypass the Welcome Screen.

1. Go to Start | Run and type in: control userpasswords2 | Ok.

2. On the Users tab, clear the Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To
Use This Computer check box and then click OK.

3. In the Automatically Log On dialog box that appears, type the user name
and password for the account you want to be logged on each time you start
your computer.

You can accomplish the same thing by:

Download and install TweakUI for XP and use its auto logon feature.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Lastly you can add the Dialog box that comes up when running control
userpasswords2 to the Control Panel with the following tweak:

Add Control User Passwords2 to the Control Panel (Line 1)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
 
Thanks for that.
I just started reinstalling all the software tonight from a FULL
format yesterday. I installed SP2 today as well.
 
Did you also purchase and/or install Anti-Virus software? I've noticed some
of them are defaulted to automatically scan the entire hard drive for viruses
etc everytime the computer boots. This slows it down quite a bit and
hopefully can be disabled by going through the Scheduled Tasks and/or
Anti-Virus options.

Most likely they'll still scan programs in memory and programs that are in
folders you are browsing, downloading, etc ... I also recommend not using the
ADMIN account for casual everyday use, so create a LIMITED account or enable
GUEST, and use that account for browsing and everything else besides
installing. Cheers.
 
Why do you recommend not using an admin for everyday use?
The anti virus software might have something to do with it - without
the startup screen, it definitely runs faster.
 
I am also getting an error when trying to install software now,
telling me I don't have admin privledges or something? What the
devil?
 
Spot said:
Did you also purchase and/or install Anti-Virus software? I've noticed
some
of them are defaulted to automatically scan the entire hard drive for
viruses
etc everytime the computer boots. This slows it down quite a bit and
hopefully can be disabled by going through the Scheduled Tasks and/or
Anti-Virus options.

Most likely they'll still scan programs in memory and programs that are in
folders you are browsing, downloading, etc ... I also recommend not using
the
ADMIN account for casual everyday use, so create a LIMITED account or
enable
GUEST, and use that account for browsing and everything else besides
installing. Cheers.
Click to expand...


Not a good idea to use the Guest account. That is a special account with
elevated privileges, used in a network setting. For a stand along system
disable the Guest account and created a limited user account for casual
visitors. Call it Visitor or whatever you want.
 
David D said:
Why do you recommend not using an admin for everyday use?
The anti virus software might have something to do with it - without
the startup screen, it definitely runs faster.
Click to expand...


It's not good practice to use the built in Administrator account. That
should have a strong password assigned then set it aside to use only if
something damages the working account. Create at least one additional
account with admin privileges (it's a good idea to have two of these, one as
a backup), and then whatever number of limited user accounts you need. If
you can run most things from a limited user account it's best to do so, but
some programs don't want to work nicely.

If running from an account with admin privileges any malware running on that
account also runs with full admin privileges. Of course the best way to
prevent problems from malware is not get infected in the first place.
 
Ok, I am sort of confused. Here is what I did, just so I haven't left
anything out. I installed WinXP and SP2. I then installed a slew of
software while I was at it, when I rebooted, I of course got the START
UP screen (which I hate). I then followed instructions on here to get
rid of start-up screen. Then, I lost most of the programs I installed
(lost meaning, did not have access to for some reason). In the same
moment, I could not install any programs because I did not have admin.
privileges. I am guessing my main user "DAVID" - the one where I
installed everything - is the admin. And when I disabled the START UP
screen, it defaulted to a GUEST, right? IS there anyway I can get rid
of the START UP screen, and it will default to the admin without
passwords and the START UP screen? I am the only one that uses this
computer and after everything is installed, it will be SANS internet
being that it is my editing machine only. So, am I stuck reinstalling
XP (which would suck because of the time involved) or am I stuck with
the START UP screen? Thanks, I hope this is clear enough with enough
info on what I am doing and have done.
 
David said:
I am also getting an error when trying to install software now,
telling me I don't have admin privledges or something? What the
devil?
Click to expand...

Since you just installed SP2, please take a look at some of the links I
previously gave you regarding proper preparation for the upgrade. SP2
came out in August, 2004 and in the nearly three years since then I have
installed it on countless machines. If proper preparation is done,
including applying all OEM patches first and ensuring that the system is
completely virus/malware-free, then there will be no problems. My
experience with clients' machines is that difficulties with SP2 arise
when no preparation at all was made.

So please review the information at those links to see if you followed
recommended upgrading procedures. If you did not, then uninstall SP2 and
prepare the computer before reinstalling it.

If you want further help with installing SP2 after you've done the
suggested troubleshooting, please make sure to quote the exact text of
any error messages you receive as that will help us give you specific
answers.


Malke
 
David said:
Ok, I am sort of confused. Here is what I did, just so I haven't left
anything out. I installed WinXP and SP2. I then installed a slew of
software while I was at it, when I rebooted, I of course got the START
UP screen (which I hate). I then followed instructions on here to get
rid of start-up screen. Then, I lost most of the programs I installed
(lost meaning, did not have access to for some reason). In the same
moment, I could not install any programs because I did not have admin.
privileges. I am guessing my main user "DAVID" - the one where I
installed everything - is the admin. And when I disabled the START UP
screen, it defaulted to a GUEST, right? IS there anyway I can get rid
of the START UP screen, and it will default to the admin without
passwords and the START UP screen? I am the only one that uses this
computer and after everything is installed, it will be SANS internet
being that it is my editing machine only. So, am I stuck reinstalling
XP (which would suck because of the time involved) or am I stuck with
the START UP screen? Thanks, I hope this is clear enough with enough
info on what I am doing and have done.
Click to expand...

This is quite a different story than your first post indicated. From
your first post, it sounded like you had an extant install of XP and
then installed SP2. It is impossible for me to unravel what you've done
because you did way too much stuff at once. None of what has happened
should happen with a clean, orderly installation of XP.

The most efficient and effective thing for you to do is to start over.
Follow the Clean Install instructions at the first link below after
taking a look at the link to my "what you will need on hand":

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -
What you will need on-hand

In brief, here are the steps to doing a clean install of XP:

1. Have a current install disk, slipstreamed with XP2 if necessary. See
these links for slipstreaming:

http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
- AutoStreamer
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49
http://www.windows-help.net/windowsxp/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

Install the operating system.

2. If you have an OEM machine such as an HP, Dell, etc. make sure no
pre-SP2 patches are required. If they are, then it would be better to
NOT slipstream but to have the patches on-hand and install XP.

3. Install drivers for hardware.

4. If all is well, activate the product if required (non-OEM).

5. Install OEM pre-SP2 patches if required.

6. Install SP2

Do not connect to the Internet until SP2 is installed and the Windows
Firewall is on unless you are protected behind a router or hardware
firewall.

7. Visit Windows Update and do all updates.

8. Start installing software. I start with the basics like Adobe Reader,
Flash, Firefox, Java, etc. Only install one program at a time and test
after each install. Make a System Restore point first if you are unsure
if a particular program will work. If you install programs like
Microsoft Office, after the installation start one of the programs to
activate it and then go to Office Updates.


Malke
 
Ok,
I am not getting 'any' errors and it seems like I did install XP and
SP2 in the right order. This was a completely clean install as the
drive was reformatted. I have gone through the links and it seems to
tell me what I previously knew (and I did learn a few things).
I did not slipstream XP with SP2 because I found that a year ago, it
would not fit on a single CD. Now, whether I did something wrong or
not, it just didn't work for me, so I went the other route of
installing XP, the hardware drivers done and then installed SP2 - the
main problem arose when I got that darn start up screen. I just
fluffed it off and installed the rest of my software last night, but I
realised it was such a pain and wanted to get rid of the STARTUP
Screen. I did also try to get rid of SP2, but it told me all of my
software would be irrevocably damaged if I did, so I left it on.
I am not saying this is easy, but it shouldn't be difficult either.
Format, install XP, boot to find drivers, install SP2 and then
software. That is what I have done. Forgive me if this sounds a
little short, but after spending 8 hours installing software, I am
loathe to do it again and start over. If XP is this unforgiving with
getting rid of a STARTUP screen, I would think that WinME would be a
better choice (laugh). I really want to get rid of the STARTUP screen
and have all the admin priveleges and I want to do this without have
to reinstall XP and spend another 8 hours installing software. If I
can't, I can't - sucks to be me, but if I can, I would prefer that
instead.
 
David said:
Ok,
I am not getting 'any' errors and it seems like I did install XP and
SP2 in the right order. This was a completely clean install as the
drive was reformatted. I have gone through the links and it seems to
tell me what I previously knew (and I did learn a few things).
I did not slipstream XP with SP2 because I found that a year ago, it
would not fit on a single CD. Now, whether I did something wrong or
not, it just didn't work for me, so I went the other route of
installing XP, the hardware drivers done and then installed SP2 - the
main problem arose when I got that darn start up screen. I just
fluffed it off and installed the rest of my software last night, but I
realised it was such a pain and wanted to get rid of the STARTUP
Screen. I did also try to get rid of SP2, but it told me all of my
software would be irrevocably damaged if I did, so I left it on.
I am not saying this is easy, but it shouldn't be difficult either.
Format, install XP, boot to find drivers, install SP2 and then
software. That is what I have done. Forgive me if this sounds a
little short, but after spending 8 hours installing software, I am
loathe to do it again and start over. If XP is this unforgiving with
getting rid of a STARTUP screen, I would think that WinME would be a
better choice (laugh). I really want to get rid of the STARTUP screen
and have all the admin priveleges and I want to do this without have
to reinstall XP and spend another 8 hours installing software. If I
can't, I can't - sucks to be me, but if I can, I would prefer that
instead.
Click to expand...

And simply going to Control Panel>User accounts and unselecting Welcome
Screen and Fast User Switching doesn't give you the class logon box? I
understand that you are frustrated but you also need to realize that I
can't see your machine from here.

Malke
 
On 5/1/2007 8:28 AM On a whim, David D pounded out on the keyboard
Ok,
I am not getting 'any' errors and it seems like I did install XP and
SP2 in the right order. This was a completely clean install as the
drive was reformatted. I have gone through the links and it seems to
tell me what I previously knew (and I did learn a few things).
I did not slipstream XP with SP2 because I found that a year ago, it
would not fit on a single CD. Now, whether I did something wrong or
not, it just didn't work for me, so I went the other route of
installing XP, the hardware drivers done and then installed SP2 - the
main problem arose when I got that darn start up screen. I just
fluffed it off and installed the rest of my software last night, but I
realised it was such a pain and wanted to get rid of the STARTUP
Screen. I did also try to get rid of SP2, but it told me all of my
software would be irrevocably damaged if I did, so I left it on.
I am not saying this is easy, but it shouldn't be difficult either.
Format, install XP, boot to find drivers, install SP2 and then
software. That is what I have done. Forgive me if this sounds a
little short, but after spending 8 hours installing software, I am
loathe to do it again and start over. If XP is this unforgiving with
getting rid of a STARTUP screen, I would think that WinME would be a
better choice (laugh). I really want to get rid of the STARTUP screen
and have all the admin priveleges and I want to do this without have
to reinstall XP and spend another 8 hours installing software. If I
can't, I can't - sucks to be me, but if I can, I would prefer that
instead.
Click to expand...

<snip>

Hi David,

Click Start, Run, then type:

control userpasswords2

and click OK. Uncheck "Users must enter a user name and password to use
this computer."

Hopefully it's a quick fix after all you've done.

--
Terry

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
I have tried the uncheck password and the run 'control userpassword' -
but the main problem is this - when I reboot, the startup screen is
gone (hurray!), but I don't have admin privileges anymore and cannot
install programs- it gives me an error saying I don't have sufficient
privileges. Also, I lost most of my program and desktop programs when
I reboot...
 
On 5/1/2007 9:12 AM On a whim, David D pounded out on the keyboard
I have tried the uncheck password and the run 'control userpassword' -
but the main problem is this - when I reboot, the startup screen is
gone (hurray!), but I don't have admin privileges anymore and cannot
install programs- it gives me an error saying I don't have sufficient
privileges. Also, I lost most of my program and desktop programs when
I reboot...
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are not logging in as your user name. If you
installed programs under the Administrator account, some programs do not
put shortcuts into the "All Users" profile, but only into the profile
the program was installed under, so you may not see them when you log in
under your user name. Usually you can move the shortcuts into the All
Users profile so they are accessible by any profile.

Open User Accounts again (control userpasswords2), click the Advanced
tab, under "Advanced user management" click the Advanced button, click
the Users folder and right click on your user name and select
Properties. Check the "Member of" tab to see that your account has Admin
rights.

--
Terry

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
Ok, I see what you are saying - how come when I boot, it is logging in
under a GUEST or someone else, rather then the ADMIN user name (which
will give me admin status)? Is there a way to change this when it
boots, that is logs in auto under ADMIN rather than anyone else?
 
David D said:
Ok, I see what you are saying - how come when I boot, it is logging in
under a GUEST or someone else, rather then the ADMIN user name (which
will give me admin status)? Is there a way to change this when it
boots, that is logs in auto under ADMIN rather than anyone else?
Click to expand...

Hi David

I'd guess that when you went into control userpasswords2, you didn't
select your admin account as the one to log in automatically.

Quick way to check which account you're currently using -- click the
Start Menu. If using the XP menu it should have the user name at the
top; if using the Classic menu it will say near the bottom: "log off
<name>". Quick way to check if this account has Administrator privileges
-- right-click the Start button. If the menu that appears includes "Open
All Users", you're an admin :-)

If you discover you *are* now using another account (I'd think so since
you say you can't now see some of your programs and shortcuts), it's
easy to fix without having to reinstall anything.

Log off from the account you're in and you should see your familiar
Welcome screen where you can choose the account you want. OR restart the
computer and hold down the Shift key as it boots up -- this will
override the automatic login.

Once you're back in your admin account, try the auto login setting again
this way:

Go to Start > Run and type in:
control userpasswords2 <ok>

In the box that pops up click on the name of the user you want to
automatically log on (you won't see anything happen).

Uncheck the box that says: "Users must enter a user name. . . " and hit
Apply.

A dialog box will pop up with the user's name already typed in it.
[Check now that this time it is the one you really want! :-) ] Give
the password as requested, OK twice to get out, and you're done :-)

Hope this helps! Let us know how it goes.
 
On 5/1/2007 10:06 AM On a whim, David D pounded out on the keyboard
Ok, I see what you are saying - how come when I boot, it is logging in
under a GUEST or someone else, rather then the ADMIN user name (which
will give me admin status)? Is there a way to change this when it
boots, that is logs in auto under ADMIN rather than anyone else?
Click to expand...

In an Admin account, turn the Welcome screen back on (or using
Ctrl-Alt-Del). Log in as the account you want to always use. Go back
into User Accounts and uncheck the option again. Restart and it should
log in as the last login.

--
Terry

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
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