Back Again.

I have been researching this for weeks, and tried many suggestions. Even Microsoft can't figure it out.

Any fresh eyes out there with some suggestions to fix this? (I know that adding a password to my Logon will fix it, but I really prefer not to)

Even more weird, now my wife's PC is doing the same thing. Makes me think it's an MS Update, but they swear it can't be.

THE PROBLEM:
(Compaq desktop Presario 5333CL Windows XP SP3)

I'm not sure exactly when this started, but it is new. This is what is happening:

- When I boot up from power off, my PC goes directly to my desktop. It used to go to my Welcome screen where there was a choice of 2 users (Me, the administrator, and Guest).

- BUT, if I put the PC to sleep (standby), then wake it up, it goes normally to the Welcome screen and I have the choice of either user.

The only related thing I can find is info on "Auto Logon". But I have not set my PC to do this (I went in and checked per link below). Also, all user acct settings in control panel are correct.
Windows XP: Auto Logon to Windows XP

Any ideas about how to correct this?

Thanks...

Simplest way is to put a password on both accounts. Even just the number "1" will do it.

This also keeps your computer simply protected by nosy relatives, too.

Ok, I admit it. I'm a head case over this issue. It is the only mystery I have not been able to solve (mostly with all your help out there).

I just read this registry fix online for XP:

In XP there's a registry key at this point: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" and the key is called "AutoAdminLogon" (You may want to search for that key). Set the value of it to 0.

I got as far as Winlogon, but do not have "AutoAdminLogon" in my registry.

Could this be the problem?

What I did find that seems related is:
- Logontype (1)
- Forceunlocklogon (0)
- Showlogonoptions (0)

Since the registry scares the heck out of me, I did not mess with these settings yet.

Any feedback on above?

Thanks...

Logontype (1) = Show Welcome Screen - this is already set the way you want... leave it alone.

Forceunlocklogon (0) = has to do with how Windows tracks locking and unlocking of a station through the Logoff button or a Screensaver activating... has nothing to do with your issue.

Showlogonoptions (0) = affects the number of options available to you when the Welcome Screen does appear... change this to 1 to get more options, won't affect your issue.

Thanks JB.

I just had (what I thought) was a brainstorm.

The only computer I have left (out of 3) that is logging on normally is my laptop. So I went into it's registry and looked at the Winlogon subkey (assuming this is where the problem would be).

I compared the value names line by line with my PC and found one line missing. It was DefaultPassword (no numerical setting). I was sure this was it!

Added the value and rebooted.

NO CHANGE!!

Since I have my laptop to compare, can you suggest any other subkeys I should be looking at in the registry besides Winlogon?

Thank You...

No, registry hacks aren't my specialty.

But I did find a tidbit. Hold the SHIFT key while the system boots and it suppresses AUTOLOGON, or at least it's supposed to.

I found the same tidbit.

Didn't work for me.

More evidence that my system is not in Auto Logon.

The registry says no, the control panel says no, and now the shift key says no.

It must be in the registry somewhere. I just wish I could narrow it down.

I made a clone of my HD a few months ago for backup. I may just pop it in and see if the problem disappears. If it does, perhaps I can study the registry to look for differences.

I just need a bit of direction as to what subkeys could have this effect.

Anyone out there??