Login "Administrator" rejected

Discussion in 'Windows XP Help and Support' started by bawldiggle, Mar 4, 2013.

  1. bawldiggle

    bawldiggle

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    Newcastle Australia
    XP Home sp3, single user "me"
    This is the only web connected PC I have -- all others are standalone.
    (One other XP-Pro PC sp1+ two Win7 PCs (all standalone -- work related)

    When I boot the login window opens at default "Administrator"
    I have never set a password for either "Administrator" nor "Owner" in 6 years on this PC.

    After a recent windows update many of my Windows settings were undone BUT now I have a "login" window. I thought XP was on its last gasp and was surprised to be nagged by "Bitdefender" to update windows (I have just changed to "Bitdefender Internet Security".)

    Advice I was given... (elsewhere)
    Start > Run:= CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2
    [ ] Users must enter a username and password to use this computer << UNCHECK
    Click Apply.


    When I boot "XP Home" login is "Administrator" so I assumed the password is an empty string. "XP Home" rejected the empty password several times.

    I then logged in as "Owner" password(an empty string) and I am in.

    How do I return my PC to auto login as "Owner" ?
    I have never used "Administrator" until dreaded Win7

    Thank you for any help
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2013
    bawldiggle, Mar 4, 2013
    #1
  2. bawldiggle

    Elizabeth23

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    Last edited: Mar 4, 2013
    Elizabeth23, Mar 4, 2013
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  3. bawldiggle

    Elizabeth23

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    Bypass login screen,

    Uncheck Fast Switching and check use the welcome screen, delete asp.net account and disable guest account.
     
    Elizabeth23, Mar 4, 2013
    #3
  4. bawldiggle

    bawldiggle

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    Resolved

    RESOLVED !!
    ... thanks to "Elizabeth23" for getting me started in the right direction.
    -----
    WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED:
    # 1. Some windows updates undo some personal settings ... eg, on single user PCs, a login screen suddenly appears
    (even though you know you are the only person to use the PC)
    - Windows updates auto create a new "User" ... "asp.net" just to freak you out, its harmless. (WinXP)
    except it can complicate the cleanup after Windows has fiddled with your settings
    # 2. There are TWO "User Accounts" windows/dialogs with identical names -- but they perform different functions
    Both are required to customize the PC to "Bypass login" ... in my experience
    # 3. Get a good nights sleep + two cups of coffee to tackle this if you are a newbie.
    # 4. If an [Apply] button is enabled "click it" otherwise all your work is for nothing

    WHAT I DID TO ENSURE BYPASS THE LOGIN SCREEN:
    - is only applicable on single user PCs where the user is "Administrator/Owner"

    Overview:-
    [A]
    Owner account must not have a password
    Guest account must be disabled
    Windows updates can create a new account "asp.net" -- which might the reason you are here
    - so "asp.net" account must be disabled or deleted
    Administrator account can have a password or not (your choice, I do without)
    "Use welcome screen" must set to True (checked) otherwise the login nag returns
    "Fast switching" must be False (unchecked) .. I suspect login nag returns if not

    Disable "User must enter a user name and passwords to use this computer"
    '----------
    HOW:-
    [A]
    Start > Run:= control userpasswords
    [OK] btn
    User Accounts (window)
    - white stylised window (is a child of "Control Panel") -- ie, Start > Settings > Control Panel > User Accounts ... then ??
    - I found the Run-command more direct
    .....
    Pick a task ...
    * Change an account ... (link) ... Click
    Pick an account to change
    Guest Account ... click
    - "Guest" account must be "OFF" -- (if there is a guest account)
    <- Back (btn)
    Owner Account: ... Click
    (might be subtitled "Computer administrator" on single user PC)
    "What do you want to change about your account?" ... (owner account)
    * Create password (link) ... click
    - ensure both "Type a new password" + "Type the new password again" fields are empty
    no spaces nor any characters
    Password hint ... leave it empty, because there should be no password for this owner-account
    [Create Password] btn
    .....
    <-- Back (btn) ... to "Pick an account to change" window
    <-- Back (btn) ... to "Pick a task" window

    * Change the way users log on or off ... click
    "Select logon and logoff options" window
    [x] Use the Welcome screen <<< CHECKED ... this is temporary to access loggin names
    [ ] Fast Switching <<< UNCHECKED
    [Apply Options] btn
    - auto changes back to "Pick a task..." window
    to quit "User Accounts" click on the quick escape [x] btn on title bar
    ----
    Windows updates can sabotage these settings
    How?:
    - Windows updates adds a new account "asp.net"
    - so if you suddenly find you are asked to log in,
    then "asp.net" must be disabled or deleted (I opted for deletion and nothing has fallen over yet)
    -----

    Disable "User must enter a user name and passwords to use this computer"
    How?
    Start > Run:= control userpasswords2 <<< note the trailing "2" on this command string
    [OK] btn
    User Accounts (dialog)
    - a grey dialog with two tabs
    - I found this a good place to delete the "asp.net" account (optional)
    Users (tab)
    - any changes to any account on this tab-page can only be made if ...
    [x] User must enter a user name and passwords to use this computer ... (is checked)
    - after you are done with tweaking passwords and disabling/deleting "asp.net"
    Finally...
    [ ] User must enter a user name and passwords to use this computer <<< UNCHECKED
    -----
    Whats the [Properties] btn for ?
    - To ensure the single user is Administrator/Owner
    Select the "Owner" in User Names listbox
    [Properties] btn click
    Owner-Dxxxxxxx\Owner Properties (dialog)
    - for single user PCs you might want to ...
    Group Membership (tab)
    (o) Other:= Administrators ... on drop down list
    [Apply] btn
    [OK] btn
    Finally ...
    [Apply] btn
    - "Automatically Logon" option dialog
    - don't freak -- this is MS Windows
    - if you set the "Owner" password earlier just press OK
    - for the paranoid amongst us, make sure Password + Confirm fields are empty
    (If this dialog is for Administrator password, it is because admin was the selected account
    (before you unchecked "User must enter a user name and passwords to use this computer"
    [Apply] btn ... must be clicked if it is enabled
    [OK] btn
     
    bawldiggle, Mar 11, 2013
    #4
  5. bawldiggle

    Elizabeth23

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    I am happy that your issue is resolved :)
     
    Elizabeth23, Mar 11, 2013
    #5
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