New XP user

[Macaroni]

I am asking this on behalf of a friend who has just bought a new PC with XP home on it.
It is an Evesham XP2400+ with an Athlon cpu, 120Gb HDD and 256Mb memory.

Every time he logs on, his desktop has reverted to a default layout, as has is IE homepage. He also has to re-created all his Outlook Express accounts each time he logs on.

I am a seasoned Win98ME user so can offer him no tips to solve this problem.

Has anyone seen this problem before?

Thanks in advance,

Antony

[TAB]

Need a little more info. Does the computer ask to choose a user account for logging in? Is ther now two accounts for the computer?

Regards,

TAB

[Macaroni]

Thanks very much for replying.
Yes, there are 3 users setup, which are presented when he logs on, but only one is being used.

[TAB]

Are the two accounts besides the one you use, "Guest" and the other ".netFramework?" If thery are not, then get back with me. However, if they are, then the following applies:

You must have downloaded the Windows Update .net Framework. It is a large program and is not necessary on your computer, since most people will never use it. It creates another user account -- which is why you are being asked to choose an account.

Go to Control Panel / User Accounts and click on the .net Framework account. Then delete password. Then delete the account. You are not deleting the program from the computer, just the extra user account. Reboot, and you will find that your desktop will come up normally.

If you uninstall the .net Framework from your computer (add or remove programs) you will free up a lot of space. Should you ever need it, you can always reinstall it. Then go to Search / all files and folders and type in netFramework, then click search. Delete all files found. This will clean up any residual files left. Those that may not delete, don't worry about.

Regards,

TAB

[Macaroni]

Hi,
thanks for the advice, but the other accounts are for his wife and child - not automated ones.

Again I really appreciate your help.

Cheers,

Antony

[TAB]

Your problem has to be addresed at the most obvious place -- first, and that is with the additional accounts. I would most definitely delete these additional accounts and then customize everything for the normal user account. Then add, carefully, any additional accounts. If this fails, then you would have to move on to other things such as XP repair with the installation CD.

Regards,

TAB

[Macaroni]

Sounds like a good place to start - I'll give it a go tonight.

Cheers,

Antony