[RESOLVED] Eliminate Log in screen

[Coach17]

Hello,

I have managed to get rid of the welcome screen in Windows XP but now I get the login screen. The user name shows in the box and it asks for a password. There is no password so I can click OK and it goes into the desk top. How can I get rid of this screen so when I turn it on it goes right to the desk top.

Also it has a really slow boot up time. It is a Gateway that is 6 years old and onlt has 128mb ram with a 20gb hard drive. Does the RAM have anything to do with the start up. When I go to msconfig there is only a few things checked off. This is my neighbors computer I am trying to sell for them.

Thanks for all of your help.

[SuperSparks]

If you want to go straight to the Desktop, go to Start>Run and type "control userpasswords2" without the quotes. Then select your account from the list, and uncheck "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer".

[dunedin]

Coach17

Login screen
I think this can happen after the .NET Framework is installed, it creates an extra account and causes the login box to appear. Have a look if this extra Account exists under User Accounts and just delete it if you want to.

I am surprised XP is functioning at all with only 128MB RAM. This will definitely produce a slow system and bootup.
256MB is supposed to be the minimum, but XP needs 512MB and 1GB is even better.

Another cause of slow bootup/system would be if Norton is installed.


Elaine

[Doc]

You can install the MS PowerToys for XP which will allow you to set for an automatic logon so that you do not have do anything upon boot.

As to your speed problem, 1128MB of RAM is not enough regardless of what MS tells you. A minimum of 256MB is needed and more is better.

While you may have very few programs starting when you boot, you probably have a lot of Services that are starting that you do not need. There is a web site that lists the Services and whether or not you need them to start but you will need someone else here to give you the link as I forgot it.

On a side note, since you are selling a neighbors computer, make sure that you have removed all private information and documents that are theirs. Ideally you should reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows.

Good Luck,

Doc

[XOR]

There is a web site that lists the Services and whether or not you need them to start but you will need someone else here to give you the link as I forgot it.

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

[Doc]

Thanks XOR

Doc

[Coach17]

Thank you all for your help. I was able to take care of the issue. I also sold it just a little while ago.

[SuperSparks]

You're very welcome

[Welshjim]

XOR--Black Viper has always been quite agressive with his recommendations to turn off various services. This advice can be quite risky unless the person knows exactly what is being done. There are so many dependencies--one service on another.
ElderGeek originally was almost as aggressive, but over the years has culled his recommendations. In fact his latest site recommends again shutting services down. See the paragraph in red near the top.
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm