Re: logon to administrator at bootup fails

In news:97F5C462-250E-43E3-8834-5BDB16F58D9D@xxxxxxxxxxxxx,
cjon <cjon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I have a (Dell Dim 8200) machine running XP Home SP2 with all
critical
updates in place. When I start it, after the black logo
splash
screen, I get a message that Windows could not log on to the
administrator account because the password or domain was
incorrect
(or words to that effect). I am presented with an OK button
and when
I press it, I am presented with the normal logon screen with
my
single user listed. From there, I can log on normally.
However,
sometimes the error message (above) simply flashes with an
accompanying beep, and the machine goes to the blue "Starting
Windows" screen, where it hangs until the screen saver comes
on (10
minutes). At that point, if I move the mouse or touch a key
to exit
the screen saver I get the normal logon screen and can
proceed
normally.

This machine was discussed with a Dell tech, and since has
had a
"repair" install of XP. I have the feeling that this
behavior is the
result of a hijack attempt that has been removed, but I
cannot find
it. Numerous scans declare the machine clean at this time. I
assume
the behavior is the result of a change in the logon
instructions, but
don't know where/how to repair it. I'm comfortable with
registry
editing. Any suggestions?

It sounds like your computer is configured to automatically
logon the built-in Administrator account. The Administrator
account is only available in Windows XP Home Edition when you
boot into Safe Mode. If you try to logon to this account in
Normal Mode, an error message will be displayed, "Unable to log
you on because of an account restriction".

There are two ways to fix this problem.

1. Download and install TweakUI from Microsoft. TweakUI is
available here.

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Direct Download of TweakUI
http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/c/a/fca6767b-9ed9-45a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

Once the program is installed, go to Start -> All Programs ->
Powertoys for Windows XP -> TweakUI.
Click the + sign next to Logon in the left hand column.
Click on Autologon.
In the right hand pane, put a check mark in the box next to
"Logon automatically at system startup".
Enter the name of your user account in the User Name box.
Hit the Set Password button and enter your password twice.
Note: You should skip this step if your account has a blank
password.
Click OK to close TweakUI.
Restart your computer to see if you get the desired results.

2. Go to Start -> Run.
Copy and paste the following into the Open box:

control userpasswords2

Click OK.
On the Users page, click on "Users must enter a user name and
password to use this computer" so that a check mark appears in
the box.
In the "Users for this computer" box, click on the account you
want to have logged on automatically.
Next, go back and uncheck "Users must enter a user name and
password to use this computer".
Click OK.
In the box that pops up, make sure the account you clicked on
earlier is entered next to User Name.
Enter your password twice.
Note: You can leave the password box blank if the account does
not have a password.
Click OK.
Reboot to see if you get the desired results.

Good luck

Nepatsfan


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