Windows Xp Switch Users

[KnowsNothing3]

I have Windows XP Home Edition.

I use to be able to switch user to another user and still leave my programs running. I can't do that anymore. I have to completely Log Off in order to get to another user. I know you can fix it by going to:

Control Panel >>User Accounts >> Under Pick A Task Click on Change The Way Users Log On or Off >> Then check Use Fast User Switching...Hit Apply Options.

When I hit Apply Options it just brings be back to the User Acounts screen and when I click on Change The Way Users Log On or Off it says that I didn't check the Fast User Switching Box.

Anyone know how to fix this? I am completely stumped.

[Dark Blade]

When you go Start >> Log Off, isn't Switch User there? Does it just instantly log off?

Oh. I see what you mean. Just go into the menu you've been to (change the way users...), tick the box, go apply, and on Start >> Log Off, see if you can Switch Users.

But my guess is that there's a bigger problem behind this that we don't know about.

[KnowsNothing3]

That doesn't seem to work either.

But what I have noticed is I have no XP Themes. So maybe that's part of the reason?

Like the bar on the bottom of the screen (IDK what it's called) with the time, start, and little icons is gray.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Have you download/run/installed recently anything recently?

Try system restore to a day before this happened.
If you don't know how to do it, follow this guide. Don't worry, it wont delete any files.

Follow these steps:
1. Go to Control Panel (catagory view)
2. Click on Performance and Maintenance
3. At the left side under 'See Also' click on System Restore
When you're in the System Restore Menu
1. Make sure the 'Restore my computer to an earlier time' circle is ticked and click Next
2. In the small calender, click on a date 1 day before it started happening and click Next
3. Make sure all programs are closed and click Next again.
The computer will take slightly longer to boot but you won't loose anything like recently saved work but recently installed programs might be uninstalled.

[Dark Blade]

To turn Fast User Switching on or off
You must have a computer administrator account on a computer that is a member of a workgroup or is a stand-alone computer to turn on or turn off the User Fast User Switching feature. Fast User Switching is not available on computers that are members of a network domain.

1. Open User Accounts in Control Panel.
2. Click Change the way users log on or off.
3. Do one of the following:
• To specify that a user's programs remain running when another user logs on to the computer, select the Use Fast User Switching check box.

If you select this option, programs do not shut down when another user logs on to the computer. For example, if you are typing a report and your child wants to check e-mail, you can log off using Switch User, the child can log on, check e-mail, and then log off. You can log on and return to your report without losing your place.

• To specify that programs shut down when users log off the computer, clear the Use Fast User Switching check box.

Programs automatically shut down when users log off the computer, and the computer will run faster for the next user who logs on.

Important

When Fast User Switching is turned on, Serial Keys will not work. Serial Keys is an accessibility feature that provides support so that alternative input devices (such as single switch or puff and sip devices) can be used in place of the computer's standard keyboard or mouse.
Notes

• To open User Accounts, click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts.
• Fast User Switching cannot be turned off while multiple users are logged on to the computer.

Read through that, and see if it can help you.


Also, see if you can get a screen-shot of your scren having no XP Themes.

[contrex]

Darkblade, you beat me to it! Malware can mess up fast user switching, so a check is called for...

[CBMatt]

Agreed.

What protection do you have, and when was the last time you scanned for infections?

[KnowsNothing3]

My system restore for some reason was turned off? So I can't back track.

And I have a lot of different things to remove things off my computer.

Like..

Avast-AntiVirus
Lavasoft- AdAware
No Adware
Spybot-Search and Destroy
Symantec AntiVirus
SpywareBlaster
and I do the System Tools Disk Cleanup

all of these regularly.

I don't know how to take a screen shot, but when I am at the home page and I right click and click properties, under the Themes section it only says Windows Class, More Themes Online... & Browse...

[n2tech]

Is this a home PC or a work PC?  If it is a work PC, you need to make sure you are not on a Domain network.

[KnowsNothing3]

Its a home PC. I have no idea whats wrong.

[Zylstra]

I know its no different, but for the process of testing:

Press the Windows Logo Key + L
Does it go to the switch user screen then?
Or a "Locked Computer" screen?
or does it logoff?

[KnowsNothing3]

It goes to a Locked Computer Screen.