Windows XP Pro "Lock Computer" feature problem

[Jennifer]

I've been having this issue for a long time now and have tried everything to fix and cannot for the life of me figure out what the problem is.

Below are the specs of my system:
dell inspiron 5100
P4
2.6ghz
windows xp pro with sp2
512 mb ram

What happens is when i use the Ctrl+alt+delete and click on "lock computer" and then then type in my username and password to login it takes an extremely long time for the desktop items and taskbar to appear. It doesn't matter how long the computer has been locked as I have tried right away after locking it as well and no change. I have no spyware or malware. I've even fomatted the pc and reinstalled all basic programs i needed and still got the same result. Tried booting into safe mode and got the same result. Tried creating a different user account and logging in and locking and again got the same result. It happens both when I am connected to the network or not.

Has anyone ever seen this before or have any suggestions on a fix. Could it be a hardware issue with Dell?

Appreciate any assistance.
Jen

[mitch]

Pressing Ctrl+alt+delete "lock computer" doesn't appear on my system..
I use the Windows logo key+L (my desktop appears instantly when I log back on)

Do you have Fast User Switching Enabled? (I don't)
I am just wondering if Fast User Switching could have something to do with it as I read "you can observe the same behavior as if you switched users" To me this would mean that it would take time to load the new user
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;294317

[Jennifer]

Thanks for your response Mitch however, it didn't help. I don't have fast user switching enabled nor the welcome screen and using the windows + L feature gives me the same result.

[Frogy]

Pressing Ctrl+alt+delete "lock computer" doesn't appear on my system..
I use the Windows logo key+L (my desktop appears instantly when I log back on)

Do you have Fast User Switching Enabled? (I don't)
I am just wondering if Fast User Switching could have something to do with it as I read "you can observe the same behavior as if you switched users" To me this would mean that it would take time to load the new user
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;294317



It's listed under "Shutdown Tab" Mitch and the hotkey is as you said.


You can try www.CCleaner.com and scan your registry for issues. How big is your VM? try to limit it to 1 1/2 times your ram. Have you defraged lately? What other programs are still running when you lock?

I'm guessing here since I don't use that feature.

[Jennifer]

Thanks for replying. I have 512 mb of ram and the vm is at 766mb. I ran a defrag last week and no help. I usually have two IE windows open and microsoft outlook and thats about it...theres nothing unusual running in the background or any application taking alot of cpu resources when i check the performance. I'm stumped on this one!

[Frogy]

Have you tried closing the IE windows and see what happens?

[Jennifer]

Yup i've tried doing it with nothing running and after a restart and still same result.

[Frogy]

I just tested mine with browser windows open and software running in the background (Diskeeper lite for one) and it comes back immediately as Mitch's did. I'll ponder but am at a loss right now.

[mitch]

It's listed under "Shutdown Tab" Mitch and the hotkey is as you said..

Mine is missing lol

[dusty550]

Mine is missing lol
All you have to do is change the way users log on, and switch it to the classic style, which is basically the exact same way windows 2000 is.

As for slow downs... their could be tons of different possiblites, as mentioned Defrag, also try cleaning up your desktop of unneeded icons, Also it could possibly be a memory leak in a program running?? Maybe your low on disk space.. Uhh.. My computer below, locks perfectally, no slow downs at all. I cant think of anything else that comes to mind sorry.

[Dr.Dan]

I've been looking at this since you posted it... and I'm still scatching my head... :tch:
I can't think of any reason you would get a delay coming out of a locked condition.

I've been working with a P3 600Mhz here and I logged on with 2 users running apps... which really slows this computer down... and it still unlocks within a couple seconds...

Sounds like an interesting challenge... :llh:

[glitch]

Try enabling fast user switching.

ControlPanel>classicview>Users>change the way users log on

[Jennifer]

Hi Again,

The fast user switching also gave me the same result. I only have 6 items on my desktop so i can't see that as being the issue either. As for hd space i have 30 gb free. Well if I ever figure it out, i'll let you guys know.

Thanks for everyone's responses.

[Just Doug1]

Thanks for replying. I have 512 mb of ram and the vm is at 766mb. I ran a defrag last week and no help. I usually have two IE windows open and microsoft outlook and thats about it...theres nothing unusual running in the background or any application taking alot of cpu resources when i check the performance. I'm stumped on this one!

Could you humour me and try this with the VM set at 1024 min and 1024 max.

[Jennifer]

Hi Doug,

Sorry that didn't help either.

Thanks, Jen

[andyman]

Whether the Welcome screen is enabled or disabled also has an effect on the way your computer can be locked.

If the Welcome screen is enabled, you can also lock your computer in Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) by clicking the Lock Computer option in the Shutdown menu list.

This option will only appear if the Welcome screen is enabled—without Fast User Switching being enabled.
you say you have both disabled (welcome screen) so how can you use the (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) and shutdown menu ?

interesting what Dell has to say about this issue maybe it's a problem with DELL machines
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?c=us&DN=1068833&l=en&s=gen