First, if you don't already have a password set, do so now. Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to get the "Task Manager", then click on the "Change Password" button and create a password. Make sure the username has administrative priviledges and DON'T forget the password.
Now...In Windows XP PRO, simply create the requirement to press "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" at start up.. Do it this way..Click on Start-Control Panel, then double click on the "User Accounts' icon. When that loads, click on the "Advanced" tab, then "Secure Log On" section, place a CHECK Mark in the box next to "Require Users to press Ctrl-Alt-Delete". Click on "Apply", then OK, etc.
Restart the computer and you should get a dialogue box which requests you to press "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" and after which, you will see the standard log on window where you will type your username and password.
Hope this helps.
Grif
Windows XPp; I feel I bit sorry asking such a noobie question: Im the sole user of this PC and since Im going away for few weeks, I'd like to set a password to be asked everytime the PC is powered on; I mean not just for files & folders, but ideally even before the desktop is loaded or can be accessed, that is. Is this possible without going into the SetUp and making changes to the BIOS?
I'm not sharing the PC with no one else, but in My Computer I also have a "All User" folder beside "my name folder" - if it's relevant.
Thanks in advance

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