I created a boot-up password for XP which works just fine. I created one for my wife's computer in the same way. But her computer does not ask for a password on boot. I deleted her password and created another. Same thing. Can anyone tell me what's possibly wrong. The icon in User Accounts in Control Panel says she is password protected. On the chance she was booting up in another account (which the log-on does not confirm), I created a password for that other account: both administrator and owner. Didn't help. HELP! Thanks.

By any chance do you have tweakUi installed; and if so, there is a setting to automatically log on. sLLs

Try start >> run type control userpasswords2 & hit OK. When the user accounts window opens checkmark the box which states 'Users must enter a username and password to use this computer' and apply the setting. You should be requested for the username and password of the account you wish to automatically logon on subsequent reboots.

Also look at LogonExpert - Windows XP auto login tool, if you interesting in user automatic startup.

Thanks to all who answered, and my apologies for the delay. Tied up with children, grandchildren, et al for Christmas. Happy New Year.