When I startup my pc (win xp) it used to go straight to desktop...

[arthurbach4]

When I startup my pc (win xp) it used to go straight to desktop but now for some reason it goes to a log in screen first where it has my name and asks for a password.

I just press enter and it goes on to desktop but how do I get rid of this step please?

Also whereas before when I shut down the computer through Start>Shutdown it used to take me to a screen with 3 different coloured boxes with the choices:

Shutdown/Restart and sleep (it didn't even have hibernate)

Now it takes me to a screen which has a drop down list and I have to choose to Shut down etc (this time it includes hibernate)

That's one mouse click too many in my books..

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[ACtheTROLL]

What have you installed recently?
the logoff options sound like a "helper" utility or power management prog

odds are that that goes for the logon as well
or possibly virus/firewall prog
networky things like ppl to logon.

Also - if you have more than one user account active ... you'll get the logon (welcome) screen then.

go to control panel | user accounts |
and then "Change the way users log on and off"

[arthurbach4]

You are a legend!

It turned out to be some bizare registery problem which I wouldn't have known about had I not gone to user account.

It suggested there was a file messing with user accounts and I was able to google the offending file and delete it from the registry.

Thankyou so much.