View Full Version : User accounts problem
As I'm off to a LAN this weekend and my PC will be unattended for various periods of time, I was going to set up an user account so no one can get in after a few minutes.
Usually it's just a matter of me going to control panel and user accounts and ta da.
Did that today, and it comes up with a script error :undecided:
Is there anyway of setting up a user account without going that way round about it? I'm using XP Pro.
Doesn't have to be excessively fancy, just want to keep it password protected :) If not, I guess I'll just take the kettle lead with me every time I go to work or something similar.
Password protected screensaver?
Noob question but how do you change the password on the screensaver?
You can set it to password protect but I can't find an option to change the password :/
Um, er, dunno. :shrugs:
Hang on I'll have a looksee.
It's the same as your account login password, you change that in the Control Panel.
How'd you change your login password if you can't access user accounts? :D
Although I'll have a look to see if I can remember what it is, it's been a while :embarassed:
How'd you change your login password if you can't access user accounts? :D
Although I'll have a look to see if I can remember what it is, it's been a while :embarassed:
You have to be logged in as an Administrator.
Yeah but where you do you go to change the password?
Stan_Lite
25-08-2006, 10:21
The screensaver password defaults to your logon password. If you don't have a logon password, you won't be able to set a screensaver password.
Sorry I can't help more at the moment - will see if I can come up with something.
Stan :)
Yeah I've just checked that :( It comes up but as there's no password, it's easy to skip past.
Set a power on password in the bios?
/edit - Or if you have a login password then just lock your screen when you walk away.
I think it may come to that.
No idea why user accounts won't work, but I've not checked there since the last LAN I want to in April so who knows what I'vebroken since then ;D
To set your account password, open command prompt and type:
net user <username> *
To add a user, type:
net user <username> /add
or
net user <username> * /add
To delete a user, type:
net user <username> /delete
Don't forget to stick quotes around usernames if they contain spaces.
All works in XP Pro. Don't know about XP Home (but that doesn't matter).
Computer Management > Local Users & Groups > Users is my preferred route for all things user accounts (on local machines), for what it's now worth :p
Ah yes, I use that too, but it's so rare I have to fiddle about with user accounts that I'd forgotten. :embarassed:
Always handy to have for future reference :D I hate reinstalling windows so I may have this weird problem for a while, so get arounds are good :D
Worth searching the Microsoft support site for it as well. I've seen these sorts of wierd script errors before (in Windows Search), so there may be a patch. If I could remember how I fixed mine, I'd tell you. :(
I'm not overly bothered about it really. Not now I have workarounds :)
For normal activity I don't have it password protected, it was only for the lan, although in the end I texted a trusted mate the password on Sunday so his sister could use my machine while I was at work.
Probably password protect it once I move but I know how to without control panel now :D
Yeah, probably a good idea with other studenty types around. They're lethal. :p
Get rid of that welcome screen now and get used to logging in properly, and the options when you press CTRL+ALT+DEL (and Windows Key+L to quick lock your screen). You'll soon know how to keep them out :)
How spookily random. Just forgot and loaded up the control panel applet, and it works.
I haven't done anything to my windows install :s It's like magic ;D
Or just a reboot fixed it. :)
Nah I tried that last time round, and I know when I checked briefly about 2 weeks ago that it still didn't work.
Ah well, it works now, all that matters :D
Just setup your user account on XP with a password then press the "windows key" + L - it'll lock your computer. It's not automated (unlike setting the screensaver to come on after a few minutes) but it works. :)
Get rid of that welcome screen now and get used to logging in properly, and the options when you press CTRL+ALT+DEL (and Windows Key+L to quick lock your screen). You'll soon know how to keep them out :)
Doh. I should read the thread first. I hate the "windows welcome screen" - yuck.
Windows Key+L works with the welcome screen as well. Handy.
That's what I'm doing :) Although my flatmates hardly know a thing about PCs so not vital :)
vBulletin® v3.7.4, Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.