CHRONICLE 03-14-06

HELP LINE

Suddenly: Log-on is required

Q: In my efforts to be diligent and keep my computer updated with all the latest security patches from Microsoft, I suddenly find that I must log into my computer.

Prior to the updates I could turn my computer on and it would load up and take me straight to the desktop.

Do you know what caused this and, more importantly, how I can rid myself of the login screen?

A: This is fairly common. It turns out that one of the updates is for the NET Framework and it actually creates a user on your computer called ASP.NET. You can see it in the User Manager.

This is normal and is not a cause for concern so you can leave the patch in place as well as the new user account.

To rid yourself of the login screen, all you need to do is go to the Microsoft site and get .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1 and install it.

This will fix the bug that causes Windows to mistake the hidden ASP.NET account for an actual user of the computer. You can download it from support.microsoft.com/kb/ 885055.

You can also use the Microsoft Powertoy TweakUl to re-automate your login process.

This is handy if you have more than one real user on your computer but mostly login to one account.

This is available at www.microsoft.com/ windowsxp/downloads/ powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Once installed you just open TweakUl and expand the logon branch and click Autologon. Then activate "Log on automatically at system startup" and supply your user name and password and click OK and you're all set!