[astrodaddy]

I am running ME and my question is, how do I make sure nobody else uses my comp when im not around?Every time I log in with my user name and password everything runs great, but when I hit cancel at the log in screen my desktop and everything else shows up. Isnt the log in and password supposed to lock my comp from prying eyes? How can I fix this? Thanks for the help.

 

[ping88]

disable the guest log in....

 

[astrodaddy]

How is this done? (i feel like a fool )
Thanks ping88!!

 

[ping88]

try this first, right click on my computer go to advanced then user profile see if anything there helps u 1st ...in the bottom of the user profile box there is a to create new users button see if there is more than 1 there.

 

[astrodaddy]

Tried all but same thing.I cant figure out how to delete any other users,but it seems im the only one.I can log in with my own username and password okay.I copied all files to my own settings(my user name and pass) and now im wondering if when I hit cancel again at the log in would it be safe to simply delete everything there since its been copied to my personal profile?Or are there any good freeware programs I could use?

 

[astrodaddy]

I simply need to make sure no one else can access my com when im not around.I had a stepson screw up a bunch of things and it cost me a pretty penny to repair and I also lost all my files during the repair.ME had to be reinstalled and I dont want to go through that again. Dont know what he did but if I can keep EVERYONE out I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[kilowatt1]

Have you thought about setting up a password in the BIOS? That way no one can even boot up the computer without the password.

Just a thought.

Kilowatt

 

[astrodaddy]

How do I do that exactly, and thanks in advance!

 

[kilowatt1]

Enter the BIOS setup screen by tapping the the appropriate key during the boot process, probably the "delete" key, but could be F1, F10, etc, (It should tell you at the bottom of the first POST screen. It will say something like "Press X to enter setup.) Once in the BIOS setup, scroll down until you get to the Security section where you will be able to set up a password. If you go this route, be sure to choose a password you can remember (write it down somewhere) because if you forget it you will have to clear the CMOS in order to boot up the machine.

Good luck.

Kilowatt

 

[welshY]

Hi have a look at this
http://www.codework.com/bestcrypt/
It is a "key" you have to put in a usb port to use the machine
a bit drastic?
Will stop any use of the computer!

 

[bsop]

All versions of Windows through ME, can not be sucured 100% as packaged by Microsoft. You will either need a security package that forces a login, or make some modifications manually to the Windows OS registry. Unfortunately, it will cost about $40.00 to get a serious product that will be quite secure. Only NT, 2000, XP, can be secured out of the box.
If you are quite proficient with you computer and willing to make registry entries, you can force a login to windows that can not be circumvented.
See URL.
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/629/

Here is a cut and paste of the article without the visuals.

 

[astrodaddy]

Enter the BIOS setup screen by tapping the the appropriate key during the boot process, probably the "delete" key, but could be F1, F10, etc, (It should tell you at the bottom of the first POST screen. It will say something like "Press X to enter setup.) Once in the BIOS setup, scroll down until you get to the Security section where you will be able to set up a password. If you go this route, be sure to choose a password you can remember (write it down somewhere) because if you forget it you will have to clear the CMOS in order to boot up the machine.

Good luck.

Kilowatt

Okay, I went into bios but it states that there is already a password and I have no idea how it got there.So how hard is it to clear the CMOS? My stepson is a little smarter than I thought , or dumber,who knows? And thanks to everyone elses help on this!

 

[ryanjoachim]

You could either reset the cmos (by taking out the battery on the mother board for a period of time) or use this...
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,5669,00.asp

Let us know how it goes!

 

[astrodaddy]

You could either reset the cmos (by taking out the battery on the mother board for a period of time) or use this...
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,5669,00.asp

Let us know how it goes!

Well that did work but it looks like ill be either getting a better OS or spending a little bit of cash.Changing the CMOS passwords doesnt stop Windows from loading.Thanks for the help though!

 

[Styxx]

there's no such thing as 'security' on a WinME operating system. Particularly, that logon prompt for a username and password were never intended for security in any way shape or form. That feature was only incorporated in the OS to let multiple users have different desktops displayed for each user, as desired by each user or not.

you've incorrectly assumed that feature had anything to do with security. And, in reading the on-board Windows Help files you'd have realized that for yourself and yes, on some computers the BIOS allows a 'powerup' logon password to be enabled so the computer will boot to Windows or not depending on if the user attempting to boot to Windows has the correct password. Phoenix BIOS on Compaqs and E-machines, to name a few, have that feature.