Help quick.

  • Thread starter Ryan2
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Ryan2

Ryan2

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I've just messed up my mom's computer.

It's got XP, and then I go to log off/switch names it just goes to a box where it says "this computer is in use and has been locked" instead of a welcome screen. I just recently run Spybot to get rid of all the crap on here. Never waas happening before.
 
Erm, That means that you are locked out of the computer because the user has been idle/etc. The easiest way around it is to reset the computer via the power switch. Not that I'm condoning breaking into someone else's computer though.
 
Bleh. didn't work. That's exactly what I did, leave the computer on for a long time but it's never done this before..Maybe I deleted something I wasn't supposed to? I remember deleting something called "Windows SR" or something like that, that didn't really look windows-official..
 
System Restore; restore your computer to an earlier date. Unless you've got that disabled.

Programs>ACCESSORIES>SYSTEM TOOLS> SYSTEM RESTORE.
 
sUn
System Restore; restore your computer to an earlier date. Unless you've got that disabled.

Programs>ACCESSORIES>SYSTEM TOOLS> SYSTEM RESTORE.
Click to expand...
Well, the fact that it only backs up the registry, that thing is pretty useless.
 
sUn
System Restore; restore your computer to an earlier date. Unless you've got that disabled.

Programs>ACCESSORIES>SYSTEM TOOLS> SYSTEM RESTORE.
Click to expand...

That's what I did and it worked. I jsut needed to get the welcome screen back. I'll have to just run Spybot again.
 
Next time, try to make your title even less descriptive!

Anyway, if you're switiching users, isn't it entirely possible that the other user's session has been locked? It will say who can unlock the workstation (the logged-in user's name "or a System Administrator").
 
Does anyone know how to change the time limit before a computer gets locked?

At the moment mine is only about 15mins. I'd like it to be longer.
 
DQuaN
Does anyone know how to change the time limit before a computer gets locked?

At the moment mine is only about 15mins. I'd like it to be longer.
Click to expand...

Yep. It's governed by the Screensaver delay. In your Screensaver properties, you'll see a checkbox marked something like "Password Protect". On my XP Pro system, which is set up for fast-user-switching, it says "On resume, display Welcome screen", which, since you have to enter your password to get back to your user session, amounts to the same thing.
 
Thanks Giles 👍

I really should know this, working on an IT helpdesk for Windows Server! :dunce:
 
Does that only work on xp professional? as i haven't been able to put a password on my screensavers for ages
 

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