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WinXP Welcome Screen Lock

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by dirtycar74

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I'm running WinXP-Pro SP2 on a computer that is running an AMD Athlon 1.3GHz processor, on an MSI mainboard (can't remember the exact model at this time) with 1.25 GB of RAM, Multiple Hard Drives, onboard PROMISE RAID (striping), an nVidia GEForce FX 5200 AGP video card with single CRT monitor.

My problem is as such. When I boot my computer, and arrive at the Welcome screen, if I do not log-in within a certain time period, the computer goes into a Locked mode ("this computer is in use and is locked. only /%computername% or an administrator can unlock it...") but when I try to insert the full administrator password or my own password (I am an administrator as well), it does not unlock. The only way to unlock it is to reboot by pressing either the reset button or to perform a cold boot. This is more of an annoyance than a real problem, but still I would like to know how to get rid of it. Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated. I've already looked at the power management and screen saver password settings, but none seem to affect this. I think it might be something in the registry, but I can't be sure without editing the registry and thereby risking "braindeath" to my computer setup, because this is my main computer.

More information is available upon request. I may add more points later also if it turns out to be more detailed problem/solution.

Thanks in advance!
-dirtycar74

8 replies

by willcomp

Sounds like the On Resume, Password Protect box uner Screen Saver settings is checked (enabled).

However, I would think you should be able to log on with correct user ID and password. Can in Win2K, but it doesn't have Welcome Screen.

That's only possibility I can conjure up. Someone else will probably have other suggestion(s).

Dalton

by dirtycar74

I've already checked all those obvious things (screensaver and standby password protection). No changes make a difference. Thanks, though.

by softcorp.us

This is a peculiar problem.

It sounds like automatic logon is turned on and some error is occurring. Perhaps turning it off would bypass this problem. Click START and choose "Run...". Type the following and click OK:

control userpasswords2

In the dialog that appears, ensure the following checkbox is checked:

"Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer."

If this works around the problem, you may be able to reestablish automatic logon by using a different account or fixing whatever is "wrong" with the current auto logon account.

Is this it?

-----Steve Jackson

CEO/CSA
Software Corporation (Softcorp)
http://www.softcorp.us/softclock
Live time of day in cities around the world

by dirtycar74

At all times, from original installation, the computer has required a password to logon. I personally feel that automatic logon is a security risk, and don't recommend anyone use it.

by sgt_shultz

i bet you are right sniffing up the powermgmt tree. it sounds like something is not coming out of suspend or hibernation.
did you turn power management in control panel completely off for a test. if yes,
do you have a nic trying to go into powermmt mode? (check properties of nic in device manager or you may have a separate applet for configuring the nic)
does this happen in safe mode
anything in the event logs
i would shotgun with latest mbrd drivers and bios. and i would update video for sure. latest xp' critical upates yada yada. i vote for driver problem, related to power saving mode...

by dirtycar74

At no time have I ever enabled hibernation or standby nor has the computer been out-of-date when it comes to drivers and updates for windows.

by folby

Hi dirtycar74,
if all else has failed check the BIOS.
there is a security setting in there for password protection.
folby@buffalo.edu

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