08-15-2007
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Re: the same account shows twice on login screen
On Sat, 11 Aug 2007 20:58:01 -0700, SteveS
>My laptop is from Fujitsu and it came with OmniPass software (the
>fingerprint scanner software to log in). I saw other postings elsewhere
>about it duplicating users on the login screen. I uninstalled the software,
>rebooted - problem fixed (no more duplicate users). I reinstalled the
>software, rebooted, the duplicate users did not show up. I think it stems
>from the upgrade I did from Home Premium to Ultimate and had that software
>installed.
Yes; any "repair install" of XP will prompt you to create new user
accounts even though you already have user accounts, and registry
settings that clearly indicate these accounts are in use.
If you then enter the same name(s) as existing accounts, then new
accounts are created with the same name.
Vista may avoid this conundrum, but fall into others.
Behind the scenes, the real names are not the same, because the real
names are something quite different to what Windows shows you. Messy,
but key to the ability of preserving continuity while allowing you to
change the account name after it's created.
Specifically, you encounter not one, nor two, but three name sets:
- the "real" unique identifier, of the form S-n-n-nn-nnn...
- the name of the account base folder in Users or D&S
- the name as seen at logon on when managing users
In the case of account duplication in XP, you will have:
- unique and unrelated S-n-n-nn-nnnn... identifiers
- old Name and new Name.PCName account folders
- the same name at logon and account management
The risks of deleting the wrong material should be obvious.
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