User log-in problem (Win XP)

[Vympel]

For some reason, when I turn on my computer, after loading windows it comes up on the annoyingly redundant user selection screen where you choose which User you want to log in as- this also happens when my screensaver comes on and I try and go back to my desktop. How do I turn it off? Not sure how to term it in google.

This only started happening the other day- I can't imagine what's caused it- I did install Real Player Alternative and it asked me to restart my PC, that's the only possible culprit.

[Faram]

Try this:

Start / Control Panel / User accounts / Click Home / Clich change the way users logon and off. Unchec the use the welcome screen.

Also check if they created or acctivated any account.

This should only appear when you have more than Administrator and the default user account active.

[Ace Pace]

Regarding the screensaver, right click screen, properties, screen saver, uncheck On Resume display Welcome screen.

[Vympel]

Thanks Faram- you're right- there's some "ASP.NET Machine A..." thing in my user list. Dont' know where the hell it came from- it's password protected, no less. should i delete it?

[Dalton]

Well THAT doesn't sound good...

[Ace Pace]

Well THAT doesn't sound good...

I have the same user, more info here.

The aspnet_wp or ASP.NET Machine Account is created when the Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 is installed onto a Windows XP computer. The user is created to run the asp.net worker process used in Microsoft's Internet Information Services, which allows ASP.net to run on your local web server (This is pretty much its only use, it is not used to run normal .net managed executables). There is not a need to worry about this user's presence; it was not created in malicious way.




Why does it need another User Account?
Another user account is created for the ASP. Net Worker Process (Aspnet_wp.exe) so that it is not running with administrator privileges. This helps to increase security because if there was a breach the worker process is running as a lowly restricted user rather than having administrator privileges on the local machine. The big complaint with there being another user created is that when it is created it will prevent auto logon had there previously only been one user on the computer.

This can easily be corrected on the first version of the .Net Framework v1.1 by downloading the following registry file which fixes the problem by adding ASPNET to the special accounts list. To do this manually rather than using my file, go to Start > Run and type in regedit. Then create a new DWORD called ASPNET under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList. There is also another manual method which can correct this issue by having the user specify which account should be used for automatic logon (see here for details).

In September 2004 Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for version 1.1 of the .Net Framework, the automatic logon issue was corrected along with further security enhancements, and full support for Windows XP Service Pack 2. To download Service Pack 1 for the framework click here (10.2Mb Download).


Can I delete it?

You can remove this account, but it is vital if you do asp.net development work on your machine.
By removing the account you may find your ASP.net projects will no longer function correctly.

It is possible to recreate the user by issuing the following command from the run dialog (changing the framework version number as appropriate)
%systemroot%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\aspnet_regiis.exe /i

[Vympel]

Weird how it just ... appeared one day. I don't do any of that stuff.

[Arrow]

If Real Alternative uses the .NET framework (can't find any docs saying one way or the other), it would have installed it, and that would have created the account. Its nothing to worry about, just disable/delete it.