Start Up, Login & Task Manager

[Guest]

I've just done a clean install of XP Pro (after a hard disk crash - physical
not virus etc. related).

On start up, instead of being offered the user accounts option I am only
offered to login as an administrator within a box with a Windows XP Pro logo
etc.
(However, 2 A/Cs are set up and show in "User Accounts" in control panel,
which also shows Administrator, Guest and ASP.NET MACHINE A... whatever that
is (says it is a limited A/C and is password protected).

Additionally, on pressing Ctrl Alt Del, instead of opening task manager
directly, I receive another box with a Windows XP Pro logo etc. and six
button options; one of which is task manager. The task manager which then
opens does not have the shut down menu at the top.

Grateful how to set up everything to run as before (i.e. (i) login via User
A/Cs and be able to switch between them and (ii) restore the full menus on
Task Manager which should open directly with Ctrl Alt Del).

 

[Guest]

First Have you activated your copy of windows XP?
Have you tried changing the Username from administrator and tried to login?

 

[S.Sengupta]

First, enable the Welcome Screen.

See the following KB Article regarding how to do that:-
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279765/EN-US/

Next, to logon automatically with your user account.

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.
Clear the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this
computer" check box, and then click Apply.
In the Automatically Log On window, type the password in the Password
box, and then retype the password in the Confirm Password box.You can
leave the password box blank if your account does
not have a password
Click OK to close the Automatically Log On window, and then click OK to
close the User Accounts window.

Ref:-http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315231

regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]

 

[Guest]

Many many thanks....excellent instructions.......so simple when you know
how!!!!!

Now my only problem is that all my programs and settings etc are under
"administrator" not "John".....any way of transferring/switching them?

e.g. would Abhinav's idea now work? i .e. by switching/changing names.

I haven't tried it yet as I wasn't sure whether or not I would have to
delete the existing "John, before changing "Administrator" to "John".

No problem if I have to, because I have nothing set up on "John" yet.

After, do I actually need to keep Administrator?

Many thanks in advance.

First, enable the Welcome Screen.

See the following KB Article regarding how to do that:-
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279765/EN-US/

Next, to logon automatically with your user account.

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.
Clear the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this
computer" check box, and then click Apply.
In the Automatically Log On window, type the password in the Password
box, and then retype the password in the Confirm Password box.You can
leave the password box blank if your account does
not have a password
Click OK to close the Automatically Log On window, and then click OK to
close the User Accounts window.

Ref:-http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315231

regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]

I've just done a clean install of XP Pro (after a hard disk crash - physical
not virus etc. related).

On start up, instead of being offered the user accounts option I am only
offered to login as an administrator within a box with a Windows XP Pro logo
etc.
(However, 2 A/Cs are set up and show in "User Accounts" in control panel,
which also shows Administrator, Guest and ASP.NET MACHINE A... whatever that
is (says it is a limited A/C and is password protected).

Additionally, on pressing Ctrl Alt Del, instead of opening task manager
directly, I receive another box with a Windows XP Pro logo etc. and six
button options; one of which is task manager. The task manager which then
opens does not have the shut down menu at the top.

Grateful how to set up everything to run as before (i.e. (i) login via User
A/Cs and be able to switch between them and (ii) restore the full menus on
Task Manager which should open directly with Ctrl Alt Del).

 

[Malke]

Many many thanks....excellent instructions.......so simple when you know
how!!!!!

Now my only problem is that all my programs and settings etc are under
"administrator" not "John".....any way of transferring/switching them?

e.g. would Abhinav's idea now work? i .e. by switching/changing names.

I haven't tried it yet as I wasn't sure whether or not I would have to
delete the existing "John, before changing "Administrator" to "John".

No problem if I have to, because I have nothing set up on "John" yet.

After, do I actually need to keep Administrator?

OK, leave the built-in Administrator account alone. Do not rename it "John"
and use it. Create a new user account called "John" (which I think you've
already done). Then create a third user account from which to copy the
Administrator account settings to the new John account. You don't have to
keep the third user account when you're done, but it never hurts to have an
extra user account for emergencies.

Here's how to copy the user account:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=811151

You will need to log into the new "John" account once before you can copy
anything to it.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Many, many thanks again....everything appears to be running normally again
and I have access to all my docs and programs ....I can't thank Malke and
Abhinav enough.

 

[Malke]

Many, many thanks again....everything appears to be running normally again
and I have access to all my docs and programs ....I can't thank Malke and
Abhinav enough.

Super! I'm glad you got it sorted. Thanks for taking the time to let us
know.

Malke

 

[Guest]

How remiss of me not to have mentioned S. Sengupta in my previous thankyou.

Please accept my apologies for the ommision.

You experts who respond to we mere mortals can be very proud of yourselves.

Your time and effort is much appreciated.

With most kind regards & thanks again,

John TCI