no usernames at welcome screen.

[Lynsey A]

Hi,

When i start up my computer (XP home) itm boots normally untill it get to
the welcome screen - the welome screen looks completly normal apart from the
fact there is no users to click on. just the 'welcome to....' writing.
I have tried pressing ctrl-alt-del twice, but nothing happens. I have tried
starting in safe mode - i get to the exact same screen. I have also tried
restoring to last working settings, i still end up with the same screen!!!

How can i pass this screen by so i can fix something (and what is it thats
actually gone wrong?)? Im going mad!

Thanks,
Lynsey.

 

[Taurarian]

This can occur if you manage to delete all local user accounts (User Accounts
won't let you do this, but other account- management tools aren't as protective)
or, in some cases, if you upgrade your computer from an earlier version of
Windows.

If you're using Windows XP Professional, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete two times to
display the Log On To Windows dialog box.
Type Administrator in the User Name box, and enter the password you created for
the Administrator account during setup.
Logged on as Administrator, you can run User Accounts and create one or more new
accounts, which will thereafter show up on the Welcome screen.

Windows XP Home Edition users can't log on using the Administrator account,
which is prevented by account restrictions from logging on.
Instead, you must start Windows XP in Safe Mode by pressing F8 at the beginning
of the startup process. After you're up and running in Safe Mode, you can run
User Accounts to create one or more new accounts.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151
Copy User Data to a New User Profile


http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP

NOTE: You must be logged on to the computer using an account that has
administrative privileges. If you are running Windows XP Home Edition, in order
to have access to the Security tab, you must first start in Safe Mode and log on
with an account that has Administrative rights.