I do not want anyone using my computer so I want to know how to put a password on the computer so it will not work without it. My old computer had a password at start up. I am not a computer guru so can you explain in detail. I have xp operating system. THANK YOU!!

There are quite a few various ways that it can be done...the simplest and easiest would be to go to start > control panel > user accounts ...then change the way a person logs on to use the password. Now then this will not help you if you are all ready have the computer running and are away from it as someone then can come and use it....but there is a fix for that as well. have a pass word when the computer goes idle to have to sign in with a password to wake it up. start > control panel > themes and then select screensaver tab. Set the length of time in idle before screensaver comes on (usually 10 to 20 minutes) and then check the box to require a password on resume......this option allows you to work and if you get called away for a time the computer screensaver comes on and one must input the password inorder to start using the compter again! Change Is Good http://www.citizenlink.org/Stopligh...

Even better would be a power-on (BIOS) password. Depending on your model of HP machine, there should be something in the BIOS security section to require a password before Windows even starts (sounds like what you had before). You may need to browse the HP site to find out how to access the BIOS (again, depends on the model of your machine)...

Thank you very much. I appreciate your information.