GUI VS. REG debate

I think that choice two is better. It is using the OS to fix itself. the other way is using a bcakdoor. Please comment

Don't need to use either method. A far easier way on 98\95 is to simply log on, then do a file find for *.pwl (password list) Delete all that you find, then log off.
When you log on again, the system will ask you to enter a username and password, just enter a username but no password, after which the system will no longer prompt you for a password.

Good luck,

Ian

Obviously, there are at least three answers to this question and deleting the *.pwls is quickest and safest. I don't avoid editing the registry to fix problems. Registry hacks are part of the daily routine. They are often the quickest and most direct way to fix a problem if you know them. The problem is that registry hacks are not obvious and usually take some experimentation or some help from someone who knows or has done it before. The above is a good example of a fix that you can find onyour own by poking around (I did). I'm sure that consultant types would agree that you want to take the quickest, most effective road and they're certainly not going to avoid the registry!

As is implicit in the above statements - context is important. I cetainly would not want a neophyte user poking around in his/her registry! And I have spent many hours undoing their "improvements".

I also do not avoid a registry hack when required. "Required" changes upon the need and the tools available. Using TweakUI is a whole lot easier to say, clear the last user logon name, than editing the registry to do so.

Using a GUI tool can also save you from "trickle down" types of problems where making a reg change breaks something else. Hopefully (a big hope I know) the programmer of the tool has examined all of the issues and has dealt with them programmatically to avoid such collateral damage.

Also, in my day to day work, I can sometimes forget how much damage I can do if I make an ill advised change to the registry.

"Oh I'm just making one small change - I won't do a backup first" has ben my downfall on a couple of occasions.

My conclusion - use whatever is the best balance of getting the job done and safety. Trouble is - that is a moving target!

Regards
Raffi_

I would say that I agree with Rafi. I don't think that the third option is a good one ether. What if a vp or owner of the componey has saved there password to nasdaq os wome other important info on the net that usses the pwl file to store this info? If you del it and they can't remember it then you are in deep ****! I don't Think that is advisabble since I have seen someone get fired for that. Tweak Ui and xteq are great tools. They offer short cuts for doing things in one location, but the debate is doing it through the gui or regedit which is better? Also, If profiles are set on a computer then you will still get prompted for a password. The password will just be blank if you del the *.pwl file. Thank you very much for all your input. Lets get some more answears and please post some more comments if you woulld like in response to mine.
Chuck

I'm with Ian on this one. I think too much is being made here over the issue. After all we are just talking about a NON-network connected machine and getting it so it doesn't prompt for a password right?

So what's the issue then? Just do like Iansuggested - nuke .pwl files , reboot and don't provide a password. Problem solved. Sleep well. ;)

Naturally things are different when you are logging into a network.

And its only common sense that you should never play with the registry unlessabsolutely necessary. This includes even the most advanced/expert users. Because no matter how great your skill we are all humans and we are all capable of a typo once in a while.

Just my .01 1/2 cents

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