Member Avatar for webecho

I am trying to solve a problem on a clients system.
They are complaining that the windows logon box keeps popping up every ten seconds or so, they will type in their username and password, choose remember password and click OK.
The same thing just repeats and repeats.

The client is very "un-technical" and our onnly contact at present is by phone.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what could be causing it, or a good starting point to diagnosing the issue.


Thanks

Webecho

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Samuelalien

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— problem sounds like a repeatedly triggered credential dialog. As noted, the simple user-side checks are good first steps; here are additional, non‑overlapping diagnostics and quick fixes that work well when you can only guide the client by phone.

First, identify the process that owns the popup. Ask the client to run Sysinternals Process Explorer (small download) and use its “Find Window’s Process” (the target/crosshair) to drag onto the login dialog; Process Explorer will highlight the process that opened the window. That single step usually tells you whether Explorer, a third‑party app, or a service is responsible. (Process Explorer: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer)

If the dialog belongs to Explorer or a shell extension, a fast isolation test is to kill and restart explorer.exe (Task Manager → End Process on explorer.exe, then File → New Task → explorer.exe). If the prompts stop, the culprit is most likely a shell extension, mapped resource, or printer driver. If a non‑Explorer process owns the window, note its name and version — that points to which application needs credential updates or repair.

Also have the client check Event Viewer around the timestamps when the dialog appears (run eventvwr.msc) for authentication or application error records. If diagnosis over the phone proves difficult, ask for a clear photo of the dialog (title text and any “resource” or server name shown) and the highlighted process from Process Explorer; that information usually pins it down. Finally, advise caution before changing registry entries or deleting services — recommend remote control or an in‑person visit if the client is not comfortable.

Member Avatar for Samuelalien

I am trying to solve a problem on a clients system.
They are complaining that the windows logon box keeps popping up every ten seconds or so, they will type in their username and password, choose remember password and click OK.
The same thing just repeats and repeats.

The client is very "un-technical" and our onnly contact at present is by phone.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what could be causing it, or a good starting point to diagnosing the issue.


Thanks

Webecho

I would recomend getting your client to try and right click on the desktop as soon as they log on and check there screensaver settings.

You could also try walking them through creating a new user name in click by click sessions if the system locks them out after log on every time even when staying active.

You could also try and get them to use regedit and see if some programs are starting that should not be you can find these run programs at
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] and/or
[HKEY_CURRent_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] and/or 'Start' --> 'All Programs' --> 'Startup'

Not sure if any of this will help and I might even suggest you look for a program called hijackthis which will load all the programs into one location and allow you to see what is starting up and even allow you to disable certain ones. Good luck on your travels.

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