Ed,

You can keep the password but not have to enter it each time you logon to
the PC. This means that a password is still needed to access shared files
on the Vista PC from another PC unless they are placed in the public
folder.

To do this enter
Control userpasswords2
in the search box (or Run box if in Classic mode), UAC will pop up, say
yes and then on the Users(?) tab uncheck the box that says "Users must
enter a user name and password to use this computer". Click Apply and you
will be asked to select the user (usually you will have just the one) to
be the default when logging on and to enter their password twice. You
should now not need to enter a password whenever starting your PC but
still will if you use Remove Desktop to access the PC or have your
screensaver configured to ask for a password.

Please note that the above is the text from a PC running XP (which has the
same functionality) as I don't have my Vista PC or laptops switched on at
present.

Norton. Dump it. It's no better on Vista than it is on XP or Win Me.
IOW a total disaster. The last thing you need is a third party "security
suite". It will cripple your PC. The sooner you return to using Avast
and the Vista built-in firewall the better your PC will be.

Well, off to the Ocean for a 5-day vacation.

How I envy you although living in Seattle it's not as if the ocean is far
away. I could certainly do with some sun, sand and sangria at the moment
although as I prefer the Greek islands to Spain let's make that sun, warm
water and ouzo instead. vbg

Enjoy your break.
--
Mike


Ed Meza wrote:

Howdy Mike,

The more I use the machine, the more I would have to agree with you.
The UAC is a good safety feature at the initial stagtes -- but now it
doesn't bother me as much.

Wow, big difference when comparing Vista to the good old Win Me
(although I was used to the old box -- I guess I dind't expect all
the great features the new one has, i.e., ease in customization,
picture/video/sound great quality -- and speed!) To think that I was
on dial-up about 3+ years ago it makes e crinch.

I have a question for you, how do you safely turn the Windows
Password off. I have a couple of links -- but like I promise, I would
rather get back to this site and ask the real experts.

Also, Norton came with a 60-day trial and I'm using it. No problem
whatsoever. I know that Norton was not good for Win Me. Any
recommendations for Vista? I was happy with Avast Home Edition in the
old box.

Well, off to the Ocean for a 5-day vacation. So I'll check things
out when I get back.

Thank you and have a great week!

Ed,

As you say, Vista's appearance can be tamed as necessary by
switching to Classic mode just as can XP. As for the UAC (User
Access Control) popping up I don't really find this as troublesome
as others. It's most obvious and perhaps annoying during the
initial stages when one is still installing applications and the
like but I don't find it particularly intrusive thereafter. Whilst
it can readily be disabled I prefer to leave it on as it is a great
safety mechanism. What one shouldn't do is simply click yes every
time without thinking about or better knowing why it is popping up,
well not once you've populated your system and had it running some
time.

If you haven't already, and it is still relatively early days, I'm
fairly confident you'll come to appreciate Vista and realise how
feature rich it is when compared to its somewhat elderly relative
Win Me. --
Mike M


Ed Meza wrote:

Hi good ole Heirloom,
I was aware that your wife was running Vista on her laptop. I agree
with you, it's too much eye candy at the beginning, but you can
customize it as you please. There are a couple of obnoxious things,
like little windows that come up to ask you to continue, yet with
practice I'll get rid of that feature. I just visited the Vista NG
once and found an answer right away -- maybe I just got lucky.

Yeah, this NG is much friendlier and one is never left out in left
field. Write to Mart about the chili recipe, he also has an
original. As far as Ike, I would not bother looking out for him --
unless *Tina* shows up!

Thanks for the kind words and cheers from Seattle!