how do I UNLOCK

[cazxx1]

when my computer first comes on there is a box in the middle of the screen that says locked and i press on that then I can use it how do i get rid of that box so i can turn it on and it goes straight onto windows I have vista thanks

[cazxx1]

anyone

[VHG]

How are you shutting down Vista?

That may effect how it starts up.

If you click on the large round circle in the bottom left you get the main Windows menu.

In the bottom right of that menu is a small icon for a padlock. To the left of it is an icon with small circle, and to the right of the padlock is a small triangle.

If you turn your computer of EITHER by clicking on the small circle OR by clicking on the padlock that MAY be causing you problem.

To properly turn it off, select the small arrow to the right of the padlock and a small menu appears.

Options on that menu are Switch User, Logoff, Lock, Restart, Sleep, Shutdown.

For a PROPER shut down of Windows you need to select the Shutdown option.

If other options are selected (like Sleep or Lock) it may not do a proper shut down and that is why you are returned to the Lock option.

[VHG]

Note that if you shut down Vista by clicking on the icon to the LEFT of the padlock (the small circle) it only puts Vista into a sleep mode and DOES NOT shut it down.

When it comes out of Sleep it may take you into the Lock window.

You can change how Vista behaves when it comes out of sleep mode as follows

1) Open the Windows Control Panel and open Power Options.

2) On the Power Options window select on the left "Change when the computer sleeps"

3) On the Plan window select "Change advanced power settings"

4) See the option in the centre under "Additional settings" called "Require a password on wakeup". Make sure that is set to No.

(this window will be slightly different if you have a laptop or a desktop, on a laptop you may need to say no in TWO places)

If you need to change it press all the OK buttons to save the changes.