Unknown and unidentified user

[gordone]

I am using a dial-up connection, and shortly after upgrading from WIN 98SE, I found an unknown user name on the Windows XP log-in page. I also found "Guest". As administrator, I closed both of these user accounts, but now, when I shut down, I get the message that there are other users logged on, and that I will be shutting them down as well. Occasionaly I get a pop-up that says that some program is asking to be connected to an unknown site.

What gives?

Thanks for your help

Gordone

 

[tangostar]

So if you right ckick My Computer goto Manage and look up Local Users and Groups do you see the username there?
Does Guest have a red X on it?
What is the user name?

Do you have upto date antivirus software?
Are you sharing any files?

If you goto System Properties and Remote, are you allowing Remote Desktops?

 

[gordone]

I suspect your advice pertains to PRO rather than to XP Home, which I am using. I can not find Local Users or Groups under Manage. Users, under Control Panel, shows only the two authorized users plus "Guest - OFF".

Norton Anti Virus up to date, and no shared files. This is a stand-alone setup rather than a network. I should have made a note of the unauthorized user's name, but did not. I will keep an eye open for the URL that the computer asks permission to connect to.

Thanks again for your help. I am still puzzled about that reference to "other users".

Gordon

 

[johnny77]

Hi Gordon,

Are there multiple users that log in to the machine? I suspect that you are using fast-user-switching, rather than the traditional method in which each user logs off and then another user logs on.

If you are using fast-user-switching, there are actually concurrent logons on the system with the desktop of the active user displayed. If you choose to switch from user A to user B (instead of logging off user A and then logging on as user B) that would explain the reference to "other users" when you attempt to shut down the machine. Even though you are on user B's desktop, user A's session is still active on the system.

HTH,
J.

 

[gordone]

That's quite probably it. Since the XP installation is in an older computer, upgrade from 98SE, I have been hopping back and forth between my wife's and my own user accounts, trying to make hers as non threatening, and as clean as possible. She is an artist, and only tolerates word processing, and a little Photoshop work. I can hardly see my own desktop through the icons thereon.

Thanks

Gordon

By the way, how do I keep from having to log back in, password and all, any time I look away from the computer for more than about 5 minutes? I would prefer to be able to talk on the phone for 10 minutes without re logging in. Password is necessary for leaving new laptop in my office.

Gordon

 

[johnny77]

Hi Gordon,

To stop the computer from locking you out, you can either increase the amount of time before the screen saver kicks in or set the option to not lock the computer when the screen saver is activated. (I think the latter is available in XP Home, not sure though b/c I have never used it)

Either way, the options that you want to set can be found in the Display Properties, under the Screen Saver tab.

You can get to the Display properties through Control Panel, or by right-clicking an empty spot on your desktop and selecting Properties from the menu.

HTH,
J.