Here's one easy thing to look for first. If you have the Powertoys TweakUI, there is a setting on the Paranoia tab called, "Clear Last User at logon." If that box is checked, then you have to Logon everytime, no matter what else you do.
The instructions below were written for the original version of Win95, prior to Win95b (OSR2). I believe all the links are broken, but the information might give you some clues as to what to look for.
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Contributed by Bill Gaston.
In the following order:
1. At Microsoft, download and install MSPWLUPD2.EXE the password-list-update unless you have already done so. This fixpack solves the PWL-corruption problem that occurs during PWL-list-editing.
2. Either enable multi-user profiles in CP | Password | Users Profiles tab and check the box that "User can customize their preferences...". For small system this may be the better approach as it won't require additional network drivers (see #5 below).
OR
set up a Networking Client, (even though you aren't using a real network). In Control Panel | Network click on the ADD button, choose CLIENT, and add (for example) Microsoft Network Client or one that is necessary for Client services (you'll probably be prompted for your installation disks or CD-ROM because there'll be networking drivers that need installing). NOT RECOMMENDED unless Client services are necessary.
NOTE:
a. Enabling either of the above will add an additional line to the "Start" button "Shut Down" menu and cause the "Enter Password" box presentation when Win95 boots.
b. It may be to your advantage to download the IBM Windows 95 Internet Dialer and not use either of the above scenarios. Or try using Dunce (Dial-Up Networking Connection Enhancement) which does NOT replace the dialer, it merely interfaces with it; includes redials, reconnects, Auto-Run-Time, and etc
3. In the Win95 folder, delete your <username>.PWL file. Once the existing PWL file has been deleted, exit and restart Win95. Win95 will automatically create a new PWL file and ask for your Win95 logon password.
a. When using Networking Client and the PW screen comes up with username and no password, create a null password by clicking OK to create a null password. Win95 ceases to prompt for a password when it starts.
b. When using profiles, you must press Enter to save the null password and it is required each time Win95 starts.
c. If you click Cancel in the logon dialog box that appears when Win95 is starting, your password cache list file is not opened, nor is your password saved.
4. Select each of your DUN connectoids. The first time, you may find both the username and password areas blank. Fill in the appropriate information and then connect to each ISP.
a. Password information is not stored in the PWL file until a successful connect to an ISP is established. It is quite normal for the name/password info to disappear again unless a connection is successful.
b. If you abandon the attempt to connect to a particular ISP without installing the PWL2 update, you will cause the PWL entry for that connectoid to be edited which causes the PWL file to become corrupted for Win95 users who have installed Service Pack 1 without the MSPWLUPD2.Exe update file.
If for any reason you still can't get DUN to save the password then visit the MS Knowledge Base articles below:
- Dial-Up Networking Password Is Not Saved
- Description of Microsoft Windows 95 Service Pack 1 Updates
- CD-ROM Extras for Microsoft Windows 95 Upgrade
- Damaged Password List File Does Not Save Passwords
- No Windows or Network Logon Dialog Box at Startup
5. User Profile disadvantage:
a. When installing new software, it does not apply to all user profiles. For instance if you are user5 and install some software to this Profile folder, all other users do not have access to it. If it becomes necessary that all user profiles have access, use Explorer to copy the application shortcuts into the appropriate user's folders in \Windows\Profiles. Shortcuts can be placed in \Desktop and/or \Start Menu depending on where the icon should appear.
b. You must press Enter when Win95 pauses for a password during startup.
Bill Gaston Austin,Tx, USA
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