Unwanted Password Box

[sjm1027]

The other evening I started to set my Windows 98SI system with multiple users. I added 3 users and then found out it would be much easier if I just used Outlook Express and change identities. So I deleted all the users and just want to use the system as default for everyone.
Well when I rebooted the Password box came up empty (no users listed) and was asking for a password. I selected cancel and it continued to boot.
Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem? I went back in and checked the obvious to me but I am sure I am missing something.

Thanks
Steve

:confused:

[Streams]

Leave the Password and user name fields blank and click ok it should not come back on reboot

:)

[Andy_S]

All you need to do is delete a list of all passwords on the system.

Run a search a delete all the files with *.wpl extention.
Ensure that Windows logon ( not MS Networking ) is selected as a Default logon on My Neighborhood properties page.

Reboot the system. When it comes up with Logon window, don't specify anything in password field, but just click OK.

Next time you reboot , you won't see this window.

Regards.

[sjm1027]

The password does not have an ok option in it.
Also there were no files found in my system with *.wpl

Plan B?

Thanks for helping

Steve

[tdhart]

Do a search on all *.pwl files!
That should do it.

[sjm1027]

Ok I found 3 files

1, DEFAULT.PWL in location: C:\windows
2, Rna.PWL in location: C:\windows
3, DEFAULT.PWL in location: C:\windows\options\cabs

are these files safe to delete? I am not sure

Thanks
Steve

[Andy_S]

I am sorry for mistake. Yes, you need to search for files with *.pwl, not *.wpl extension. Those files, that you found, are passwords associated with the accounts. Delete them.

After the reboot, when you get to Logon window, click on Logon button without specifying any passwords.

Regards.

[racerbrownn]

remember, when in doubt about deleting ANY file, copy a backup for safe keeping and you won't ever get stuck needing the file and no way to recover.

.pwl files should be safe to delete just the same.

windows will create a new file at the next bootup and if you enter anything in the password box before hitting the logon button, it will be stored in the file mentioned and will nag you for a response upon bootup ever after .

even if you clear the password box later, that .pwl file will still contain the bogus info and nag, nag, nag you on bootup.

[sjm1027]

Believe it or not I deleted the above *.pwl files and rebooted and still get the password box show up empty.

I did check again to see if more *.pwl files were created and there are none.

Steve

[tdhart]

Try this website info.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q152104

[Andy_S]

Ensure that Windows logon ( not Client for MS Networks ) is selected as a Default logon on My Neighborhood properties page.

Do not specify any passwords just simply click Logon button.

[racerbrownn]

yeah, you will always get the logon box the first time windows has to create the .pwl file [ex-new sys first boot] or any time you delete this file.
to stop it from reoccuring over and over, you must select or add nothing to the box and click ok [i think even hitting enter is ok also]
dumb little gimmick huh.
as far as not having microsoft client instead of windows logon in network, i have had lots of problems using windows logon with my networked pc's. no real problems with client installed but then that shows a different network logon box which is trickier to get rid of.
i don't think thats the issue with your problem.

[Andy_S]

This is a stand alone PC for home use. It doesn't require any networking logon.

Simply Delete *.pwl files, reboot, hit logon without any passwords.

[sjm1027]

Andy and others,
I did delete all *.pwl files and rebooted.
Password box comes up in middle of reboot. Only option is to cancel (Nothing Else)

I hit cancel and it loggs the system in.
I go to Start and I see the option to log off... Not login in.

Steve

[Andy_S]

Steve!

We will get this little issue resolved.

Please provide me with some info.

Right click My Neighborhood icon on the desktop, scroll down to Properties and click it once. A window should pop up in the middle of the desktop. There are three sections in this window. In the middle of the the window there is a field related to logon type.
Can you describe me what it says?

Please reply.


P.S. Isn't it fun? Every day you learn something new...


Andy

[sjm1027]

Andy,

It is set to: share-level access control at this time

Steve

[Andy_S]

Windows 98 has different authentication methods. The one that is selected on your PC right now is not the one you need.

From drop-down menu select Windows Logon.
Then, delete all *.pwl files (if any exist), reboot, you are going to see Logon window, don't enter any passwords, click Logon button. This will log you on to your desktop. Next time you reboot, you should not see any logon windows.

Let me know how it goes.

[sjm1027]

Ok I am going to start at the top. Maybe this will help:

When I boot my system I get a password that is asking for the following:
Type a user name and password to logon to windows
in the user name I see Steve
I have only 2 choices OK or Cancel
If I hit ok I login as Steve with Steve enviornment.
If I hit Cancel I login to a enviornment with no name
I have deleted all PWL files. I found 2 in Windows and nothing happens. When I re boot I still get the login box.
Also my network connections work fine when I login as steve but I have no network from this system when I login as nothing or when I hit cancel.
If I go into Control panel > Users I see only Steve listed.
I have added steve only to experiment. I really don't need a user.
I want this system to come up the same for everyone and not ask for a password
Thats it, Thats what I am looking to accomplish.

OK I played with the system and deleted the user Steve,
Deleted all the password files again and reboot the system.
Askes me for a password I don't add anything, hit ok, then the system asks me if I would like this computer to retain it's config for this user (steve) I say no. The new desktop comes up and I look and ther it is the password is there again. There is no user in the list of users for control panel > Users.

Anyone have any ideas? Do I have to login every time I want to boot my system?

Thanks for all your time
Steve

[racerbrownn]

this does look odd. i think you are confusing something somewhere.

ex- my pc with fresh version loaded first boot showed the windows logon box with my name in the user box and no password entered. i clicked ok and boot finished and windows created a .pwl file with no password in it.
in start menu my name is listed as a logoff option.
further reboots never again showed the box.

later when i enabled network neighborhood i got a networking logon box which i'm sure your not seeing but i wanted to mention again like earlier because i have had people complain about it and word it as the windows logon dialog box in their post! that was a mess to figure out.

if andy knew i have run into that exact problem before, i'm sure he wouldn't have bothered mentioning in his post that this was a stand alone sys .

[ personally, i don't see where you mentioned this pc was not networked and you do appear to have the network software loaded which is unusual for a stand alone pc. hence the need to verify that windows logon was selected instead of client for ms.]

but i've been wrong many times before and if i'm missing something now, i hope someone finds the answer so we can all learn.

[sjm1027]

I look under Start and see Log off Steve
For some reason this system thinks I need a spacific user. I want everyone to use the same enviorment.
The network is fine too.
Like I said, Everything is fine except for the login window on boot. I don't really need it but it keeps coming up. I have had this system for 2 years and last 3 mos with network. This problem started when I originally added users to windows log on a week ago and then decided to remove the users and go back to original settings. If I have no users in the Users window in control pannel then how is it saying in Start that Steve is logged in?

Who ever cracks this case will be the master of 98

[racerbrownn]

you probably have steve entered for your id when the pc was first configured. not normally a problem.

but, this doesn't look normal soooo,

a previous user recommended clearing the user box and clicking ok to reset the box on bootup[ i've never had to try it but what the heck]
p.s. memory favors the ok button but it could have been the enter button?
this action didn't seen to require deleting the .pwl file for success.

just my 2 cents worth

one word of curiousity... i've never seen a pc that used three .pwl files, usually only one. deleting all three might be part of the problem. what kind of pc hdwe config is this?

[sjm1027]

I have deleted all 3. I also did what was recomended in earlier postings.

Pulling my hair as I type

[sjm1027]

OK IT IS FIXED!!!!!!!
Problem: User profile tab make sure All users use same prefs and settings was not selected.
Solution:
In Control panel > Passwords > User profile tab make sure All users use same prefs and settings is checked.
Do not reboot yet.
In network set the primary logon to Windows logon and reboot.
When the pw dialog box comes up:
Type in a name and leave the pw blank, click OK Not cancel.
Do the same if you are asked to confirm and you should be on your way.

Thanks to everyone who helped

Steve

[Andy_S]

Well, you got it. Congratulations!

[sjm1027]

No Andy, WE got it....

Steve

[racerbrownn]

atta boy [or girl] sjm1027! good job!

best of all, now we all know how to fix this simple but perplexing problem.

thanks to all willing to give their time to help. [just a thankful apprentice]

[sjm1027]

I just checked, it's a boy!!

Steve

[racerbrownn]

i don't think i want to know the details of just how you could tell! LOL!