Start-up password 1

[jaegermonster]

I want the simple security of having to enter a password before ME loads. Any sugestions?

 

[RickSpr]

All versions of Windows give you the option of using a logon password. It's determined when Windows is initially installed. Apparently, your system was configured without the logon dialog, but it's easy to change.

Go to Control Panel>Passwords and click the User Profiles tab. Choose the "Users can customize their preferences and desktop settings" radio button. I think that will do it.

You can also elect to have different desktop and Start Menu settings for different users by choosing options on this properties page.

You can even go further, with separate My Documents and other special folders for different users. To set this up, open Control Panel>TweakUI and click on the My Computer tab. The Special Folders section lets you set this up.

Don't be fooled, though. Any user who can successfully log on to your computer will be able to access your folders, if he knows where to find them. Even without a password, a user can cancel the logon dialog and get in to your computer. There's really no security from the WinME logon. It's more of a multiuser customization feature than it is security. Rick Sprague

 

[ShaithisDanoveur]

There are other utilities to secure your valued information if you're truly concerned about security. The most notable that comes to mind is PGP Desktop Security, which allows you to have encrypted disk volumes. Also allows you to encrypt files, messages, etc.

http://www.pgp.com

for more information on that.


If keeping an unwanted person off of your computer is something you really desire, you can do a few things. First, don't use a home user OS - switch to Windows 2000 Professional. Second, lose the floppy drive. Third, get a locking case, put the guts of your computer in it, and THEN enable a bios password. With a locking case, they can't get to the jumpers to disable the bios password.

There's a piece of software from the Netnanny people that verifies passwords using biometrics in addition to the encrypted hashes. Runs on NT, requires no additional hardware or software, and measures HOW passwords are typed by their owners. Since people will rarely type alike, it affords an extra piece of security. On the other hand, if you break your finger or something, you're truly hosed...
for more information hit

http://www.biopassword.com

 

[ShaithisDanoveur]

If you don't have Client for Microsoft Networks installed, you can install it, which will then require Username/Password entry, though anyone can still log in to the box.

Install this via the properties option of My Network Places on the desktop. Once in there, click Add, then Client, and select Microsoft/Client for Microsoft Networks.

Have the CD handy unless your machine came preinstalled (in which case the cab files are likely taking up a few hundred megs worth of space on your hard drive already) and reboot when asked. Afterwards you'll be asked for a username and password.

 

[mhughes]

I think this will work in ME also:
You can do this to stop the casual user from getting into your system. They would still be able to get in by booting up in SafeMode though if they are smart enough. I use this at work on W98 PCs and it works great.
First have your W98 CD available and do this
Start>Settings>CP>Network. In the "Primary Logon" choose "Client for Microsoft Networks". After your done installing it and restarting, do this,
Start>Run, key in Regedit and press enter. Now in the left pane double left click on each one of these.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Network\Logon
Now right click in the right pane and choose New>Binary Value. Name it MustBeValidated
Then right click on it and select Modify. Give it a value of 01 00 00 00
Now restart the PC. You''ll see you can't get past the logon box no matter what you do.