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tightsocks · Mar 5, 2005, 03:59 PM

Sorry if this is a basic question...

I have auto login enabled, but every so often I need to login as a different user.

Is there a way to bring up the login window during the startup process?

Currently I have to wait until the system loads with my auto login and then logout and back in under the other account...

Thanks.

Detrius · Mar 5, 2005, 04:42 PM

If you hit the shift key at just the right time, it doesn't log in the user.

Krusty · Mar 5, 2005, 07:51 PM

Originally posted by tightsocks:

I have auto login enabled, but every so often I need to login as a different user.

Is there a way to bring up the login window during the startup process?

Well ... turn auto-login off so it prompts you every time OR ...

... why not just enable Fast User Switching (or the free 3rd party WinSwitch, which is nicer, IMHO) ... then you won't have to log out and back in .. just quickly switch users w/o having to log out. http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/fastuserswitching/

Apfhex · Mar 5, 2005, 11:26 PM

When I read the subject I figured the question /was/ about FUS... which brings me to: it would be useful if there was a shortcut to go to the login window (hey, there's a shortcut to logout, so why not for this, right?).

CharlesS · Mar 6, 2005, 12:30 AM

In System Preferences, under Accounts, you can turn off auto-login under... what is it called... "More Options" or something like that? It's the option which shows up right below the list of users.

Krusty · Mar 6, 2005, 05:29 AM

Originally posted by Apfhex:
When I read the subject I figured the question /was/ about FUS... which brings me to: it would be useful if there was a shortcut to go to the login window (hey, there's a shortcut to logout, so why not for this, right?).

That's why I mentioned WinSwitch .. its Fast User Switching done right (IMHO). It allows you to put a tiny "users" picture up in the right-hand corner menu (instead of the full user name) and has a "Login Window" shortcut.

tightsocks · 07:00 AM

Originally posted by Krusty:
Well ... turn auto-login off so it prompts you every time

I would prefer not to turn off auto-login because most of the time I do login to the same account (and I am lazy)

... why not just enable Fast User Switching (or the free 3rd party WinSwitch, which is nicer, IMHO) ... then you won't have to log out and back in .. just quickly switch users w/o having to log out. http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/fastuserswitching/ [/B]

Basically, FUS is not an option for this situation. The secondary account that I want to use is basically a 'maintenance' account for performing back-ups and other fix-it type tasks. So, it is necessary to be fully logged out of the other account.

Sorry for not specifying these requirements in my original post.

I will try the SHIFT key method, but I have not had much luck with that one for preventing login items from opening - I guess I have bad timing...

Randman · Mar 6, 2005, 07:21 AM

WinSwitch is the way to go. Free, easy to set up and use. You can do Fast User Switching via the menu bar or a keyboard command of your choosing.

Big Mac · Mar 6, 2005, 07:23 AM

If you don't want to use FUS and do want to log out each and every time, why not just log-out with command+shift+q? Perhaps I missed something. . .

Maelman · Mar 6, 2005, 07:53 PM

During startup just hold down the left shift key and the mouse button to prevent auto login.