Microsoft .NET 1.1 Installation Issues with Windows XP SP 2 (and the Windows Logon Screen)

Evan Winslow — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 04:20:00 GMT

The other day I had somebody ask me about this, and I remember I was kind of annoyed at first when it happened to me so I figured I would post it, just in case anyone ever has this problem the information will be readily available. Anyways, this guy asked told me he was running Windows XP Professional SP2.

He said that after installing the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1:

he was presented with a log on screen. (He was used to only having one profile so it usually went straight to the desktop.)
his display configuration had switched to Windows Classic mode as opposed to the jazzy XP style.
because of the display change, the image next to the name in the startup menu had disappeared
a majority of the graphics schema has reverted to a “pre-update / Windows 2000” look
the Start menu also says 'Shut Down' instead of 'Turn Off Computer'
a new user - asp.net - had been created in the User Accounts control page.
when pressing ctrl+alt+del, the screen fades out and 'Windows Security' comes up instead the Task Manager.
he also noticed some performance differences (negative) and loss of some software functionality on his computer

On his own, he decided to try:

deleting the ASP.net account
installing and reinstalling SP2 for XP
uninstalling and reinstalling .NET 1.1 several times

He then told me that “It's incredibly frustrating. I'm all out of ideas.” He was tempted to try and wipe everything, but for 1) did not seem entirely sure how enough to be comfortable with it, and 2) he didn't have a direct means for backing up data, so there's about 10Gb of important information he would lose.

Ok then, how do we fix this?

First off, it isn't the best practice to just go around deleting things before you look for a solution and hopefully speak with someone, because like all of us have, you will eventually have to end up learning the hard way.

Here are a few details about the aspnet_wp (or ASP.net account):

when the framework is installed, another user account is created for the ASP.net worker process, or Aspnet_wp.exe, so that it can run in the background without administrator privileges.
this helps to increase security because if your computer was attacked, the process is now running at a restricted user lever, rather than having administrator privileges over the local machine.
the user runs the ASP.net worker process used in Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS).
This allows ASP.net to run on your local web server
it allows for ASP.net projects to run correctly

The general idea is that when the .NET Framework is utilized, the ASP.net account is used to access the computer where it has limited access to the system, as to hopefully not compromise your computer to hackers,etc.

WORKING WITH THE REGISTRY
As always, whenever working with the registry you should always back up your registry. (Technically one should do it whenever installing or uninstalling any piece of software, but that can become a bit excessive for the average user.) To back up your registry, you must first decide whether you will back up just parts, or the entire thing.

To back up certain pieces, go to Start > Run... > and type regedit > locate the keys which you will need to back up > select the key or subkey > File > Export > select save location > Save. Alternatively, you can right-click the key or subkey > select save location > Save.
To back up the entire registry, follow these directions.
If you need to restore the backup, follow these directions.

STARTING CLEAN
If you did as he did, and installed and removed SP2 or .NET in the process of trying to figure out what was going on, this is what I would recommend that you do. Remove all or what is left of the .NET Framework using the tools outlined below. If you can, remove XP Service Pack 2, because chances are there were some altered files that became corrupted in some way. We will start fresh to ensure you get full functionality of everything. (Alternatively you can try to just reinstall the SP over it.)

Read this first:
This is ONLY for MS .NET Framework 1.0 & 1.1
And here is one upcoming for 2.0:

INSTALLING WIN XP SP 2
Now first off, check your windows version by clicking Start > Run... > and type winver . Then, after you have checked that you are in fact running Windows XP with SP2 still installed, continue on. If you do not, install SP2 and reboot the PC.

INSTALLING .NET FRAMEWORK 1.1
Next, install the .NET Framework 1.1. Check your Add/Remove Programs to ensure it is now successfully installed. I would reboot the PC.

INSTALLING .NET FRAMEWORK 1.1 SERVICE PACK 1
Next, download and install the .NET Framework SP1.

ASP.net Security Update for .NET Framework 1.1 SP1
Now, download and install the ASP.net Security Update for .NET Framework 1.1 SP1 and reboot again.

MICROSOFT UPDATE
Finally, run Microsoft Update and download any updates there may be to ensure that your computer is up to date and has the latest fixes.

NOTE:

After you complete this, if you do not wish to have the logon screen at all, you can use the Microsoft Tweak UI Powertool and expand logon > autologon > check "Log on automatically at system startup" and it will log on to the set account automatically unless you hold SHIFT while the machine is booting.
-OR-
The safer way of doing this would be to click Start > Run > and type control userpasswords2 . Clear the "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer" field. Click Apply. Enter the user/pass combo you normally log in with. Click OK. Click OK again. You may or may not be able to bypass this method... have to test it to find out. You can always still undo it, or log off/switch users to get to another account if need to access the Administrator account or something for some reason.

IF AFTER ALL OF THIS, you are still having graphics errors, try this. For some reason with .NET 1.1 the programmers decided to change windows appearance to more of a developer feel than the "cushy GUI" of XP. You can check your display settings by: Start > Control Panel > Display > Appearance Tab > Windows & Buttons Drop-box >> Switch it to Windows XP style (if it isn't already) > Apply.