Cannot select user account when booting

Question

I recently set up a second account on my Inspiron 5100. When the machine boots, I expect to see a screen which allows me to choose which account to log into, and then requires me to enter the account password. This doesn't happen. When I start my computer, it asks for a password (different from the passwords of either account) before Windows boots. It then boots directly into my account without asking for another password. I can then switch from there to the second account, but that sort of defeats the purpose of having two passworded accounts if the second user has to go through my account to get to his. How do I change this behavior, so that I can choose an account before the computer logs me in? I expect there's a setting somewhere that I have to change, but I can't find it. Many thanks for any assistance.

Pamela · Answer

Click the Start button, choose the Control Panel, and select User Accounts.

Change the Way Users Log On and Off: Brings up two options, described here:

Use the Welcome Screen: Normally, people log on by clicking their names on the Welcome screen. Removing the check mark in this box turns off the Welcome screen. Then, people must type their name and password into little boxes in order to log on. This method is more secure - without the Welcome screen, nobody can tell which people have accounts on the computer. Turning off the Welcome screen also turns off Fast User Switching, described next.

Use Fast User Switching: Windows XP lets users switch back and forth quickly and easily. When they switch back on, their open programs are just the way they left them. Removing the check mark in this box turns off the Fast User Switching for all users. Instead, they must log off, saving their work in the process, before another user may log on.

Pamela

gryjhnhpe · Answer

@valodya wrote:
I recently set up a second account on my Inspiron 5100. When the machine boots, I expect to see a screen which allows me to choose which account to log into, and then requires me to enter the account password. This doesn't happen. When I start my computer, it asks for a password (different from the passwords of either account) before Windows boots. It then boots directly into my account without asking for another password. I can then switch from there to the second account, but that sort of defeats the purpose of having two passworded accounts if the second user has to go through my account to get to his. How do I change this behavior, so that I can choose an account before the computer logs me in? I expect there's a setting somewhere that I have to change, but I can't find it. Many thanks for any assistance.

If it asked for a password before windows boot , it is probably a BIOS password. ?
How do you know what password to enter 1st if its not either user account password. ?

Press Windows+R then type
control userpasswords2

tick "User must enter....." then click OK. (prevents Auto Logon to Desktop)

If its a BIOS password check the BIOS usually pressing F2 during boot.

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 12-20-2003 09:51 AM

gryjhnhpe · Answer

There are several Passwords that can be set in BIOS the one to enter BIOS shouldn't be asked for unless you press usually F2 during boot.
Perhaps you should check your BIOS to see what the Password you set is for.?

valodya · Answer

Many thanks for your help, checking 'User must enter...' did the trick. Yes, it was the BIOS password, I just didn't know what it was called. I know the password because it's my computer, so I set it. ;) I have a friend who uses my computer occasionally, and I figured it made sense to give him his own account to use. Thanks again.

valodya · Answer

The BIOS simply calls it the 'Primary Password,' and if it's enabled, you have to enter it before the system will start booting. After it boots, you get to the Welcome screen where you can choose an account and enter the user password. The first password wasn't really relevant to my problem, so perhaps I needn't have mentioned it. In any case, my computer now behaves correctly, and shows the Welcome screen when booting.

gryjhnhpe · Answer

@valodya wrote:
Many thanks for your help, checking "User must enter..." did the trick. Yes, it was the BIOS password, I just didn't know what it was called. I know the password because it's my computer, so I set it. ;) I have a friend who uses my computer occasionally, and I figured it made sense to give him his own account to use. Thanks again.

OK I see , but with that Password you have to start your Computer when your friend what to use it.
Unless he also knows the password.
Hope you never forget that Password as I think it can't be reset without knowing the current Password. ?

valodya · Answer

Yes, he know the password. I might as well disable it, but I haven't gotten around to it.

Windows General

Cannot select user account when booting

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