Why does Windows XP think that nobody else has ever heard of Ctrl-Alt-Del?
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I've always wondered this about Windows XP - before you log in, you have to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "unlock the computer", and if you go to the help screen on the unlock dialog, it will tell you that it's for "security" because "only Windows recognizes Ctrl-Alt-Del". Now, what in the hell was Microsoft smoking? Windows is not the only program that can recognize Ctrl-Alt-Del! Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
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I've always wondered this about Windows XP - before you log in, you have to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "unlock the computer", and if you go to the help screen on the unlock dialog, it will tell you that it's for "security" because "only Windows recognizes Ctrl-Alt-Del". Now, what in the hell was Microsoft smoking? Windows is not the only program that can recognize Ctrl-Alt-Del! Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
Essentially, it is because that combination of key is trapped at a very low level way before an application can see it... thus you won't be able to trap that combination the usual way.
Philippe Mori
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Essentially, it is because that combination of key is trapped at a very low level way before an application can see it... thus you won't be able to trap that combination the usual way.
Philippe Mori
Unless the system is running a different OS... nah, who would want that? :confused:
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Unless the system is running a different OS... nah, who would want that? :confused:
Not an idiot anyway... You know, the people the Fisher Price Luna theme was designed for ;P
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I've always wondered this about Windows XP - before you log in, you have to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "unlock the computer", and if you go to the help screen on the unlock dialog, it will tell you that it's for "security" because "only Windows recognizes Ctrl-Alt-Del". Now, what in the hell was Microsoft smoking? Windows is not the only program that can recognize Ctrl-Alt-Del! Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
It means only windows, rather than a driver or program.
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I've always wondered this about Windows XP - before you log in, you have to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "unlock the computer", and if you go to the help screen on the unlock dialog, it will tell you that it's for "security" because "only Windows recognizes Ctrl-Alt-Del". Now, what in the hell was Microsoft smoking? Windows is not the only program that can recognize Ctrl-Alt-Del! Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
Well do you see now why on a Mac in order to zap the PRAM it's a Command-Shift-Ctrl-Alt-Esc-Tilde-Apple? :laugh:
"... having only that moment finished a vigorous game of Wiff-Waff and eaten a tartiflet." - Henry Minute "...who gives a tinker's cuss?" - Dalek Dave "Let's face it, after Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!" - gavindon
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I've always wondered this about Windows XP - before you log in, you have to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "unlock the computer", and if you go to the help screen on the unlock dialog, it will tell you that it's for "security" because "only Windows recognizes Ctrl-Alt-Del". Now, what in the hell was Microsoft smoking? Windows is not the only program that can recognize Ctrl-Alt-Del! Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
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I've always wondered this about Windows XP - before you log in, you have to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "unlock the computer", and if you go to the help screen on the unlock dialog, it will tell you that it's for "security" because "only Windows recognizes Ctrl-Alt-Del". Now, what in the hell was Microsoft smoking? Windows is not the only program that can recognize Ctrl-Alt-Del! Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
My, what a youngster. The use of CTRL-ALT-DEL by Windows predates XP by a considerable amount of time. This was the standard logon mechanism back with Windows NT.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
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My, what a youngster. The use of CTRL-ALT-DEL by Windows predates XP by a considerable amount of time. This was the standard logon mechanism back with Windows NT.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
Taking a guess, Ctrl-Alt-Del might be older than the OP.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
I've always wondered this about Windows XP - before you log in, you have to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "unlock the computer", and if you go to the help screen on the unlock dialog, it will tell you that it's for "security" because "only Windows recognizes Ctrl-Alt-Del". Now, what in the hell was Microsoft smoking? Windows is not the only program that can recognize Ctrl-Alt-Del! Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
Actually, the reason for this "secure login" is simple. If someone gains access to your computer (perhaps over the internet), it is not possible to send a Ctrl-Alt-Del to your login screen, therefore they at least can not log on to your computer. If you don't use the Ctrl-Alt-Del screen, the your system is merely waiting for a valid password, which could be sent over a remote link. Makes perfect sense to me.
Karl - WK5M PP-ASEL-IA (N43CS) PGP Key: 0xDB02E193 PGP Key Fingerprint: 8F06 5A2E 2735 892B 821C 871A 0411 94EA DB02 E193
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Taking a guess, Ctrl-Alt-Del might be older than the OP.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Actually, the reason for this "secure login" is simple. If someone gains access to your computer (perhaps over the internet), it is not possible to send a Ctrl-Alt-Del to your login screen, therefore they at least can not log on to your computer. If you don't use the Ctrl-Alt-Del screen, the your system is merely waiting for a valid password, which could be sent over a remote link. Makes perfect sense to me.
Karl - WK5M PP-ASEL-IA (N43CS) PGP Key: 0xDB02E193 PGP Key Fingerprint: 8F06 5A2E 2735 892B 821C 871A 0411 94EA DB02 E193
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No, you will still be able to log in with Remote Desktop, but a hacker trying to take control of your machine through any open ports won't be able to simulate the Ctrl-Alt-Del to gain access. Any keystrokes he sends won't be put into the login screen, since it's not active.
Karl - WK5M PP-ASEL-IA (N43CS) PGP Key: 0xDB02E193 PGP Key Fingerprint: 8F06 5A2E 2735 892B 821C 871A 0411 94EA DB02 E193
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I've always wondered this about Windows XP - before you log in, you have to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "unlock the computer", and if you go to the help screen on the unlock dialog, it will tell you that it's for "security" because "only Windows recognizes Ctrl-Alt-Del". Now, what in the hell was Microsoft smoking? Windows is not the only program that can recognize Ctrl-Alt-Del! Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
Ctrl+Alt+Delete was originally intended for restart of a hang computer running 16-bit DOS David Bradley invented it , but Bill Gates made it famous... Here is the history : "David Bradely, the inventor of CTRL-ALT-DEL was talking about why he created it during a panel celebrating the 20th anniversary of the IBM PC which included Bill Gates. Mr. Bradely said, 'I may have invented CTRL-ALT-DEL, but Bill Gates made it famous,' which just about brought the house down. The funniest part is the expression, or lack thereof, on the face of Bill. He wasn't too pleased, not even when Bradely said, 'I was talking about the Windows NT login..' "' See it on Youtube :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiH-iA9EO_Q[^]
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I've always wondered this about Windows XP - before you log in, you have to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "unlock the computer", and if you go to the help screen on the unlock dialog, it will tell you that it's for "security" because "only Windows recognizes Ctrl-Alt-Del". Now, what in the hell was Microsoft smoking? Windows is not the only program that can recognize Ctrl-Alt-Del! Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
it has to do with some military standard that calls for it
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Taking a guess, Ctrl-Alt-Del might be older than the OP.
Software Zen:
delete this;At my age my memory is getting a little hazy, but that sequence is baked into the keyboard controller chip, irregardless of the OS.
Psychosis at 10 Film at 11 Those who do not remember the past, are doomed to repeat it. Those who do not remember the past, cannot build upon it.
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At my age my memory is getting a little hazy, but that sequence is baked into the keyboard controller chip, irregardless of the OS.
Psychosis at 10 Film at 11 Those who do not remember the past, are doomed to repeat it. Those who do not remember the past, cannot build upon it.
At one time that was true, but I don't think it really applies any longer (USB keyboards).
Software Zen:
delete this; -
At one time that was true, but I don't think it really applies any longer (USB keyboards).
Software Zen:
delete this;You mean those new fangled doohickeys? Don't have any. All my computers run off my trusty programmable Gateway 2000 "Anykey" keyboards. Although for one machine I did have to get a PS2 to USB adapter. Silly thing kept losing characters.
Psychosis at 10 Film at 11 Those who do not remember the past, are doomed to repeat it. Those who do not remember the past, cannot build upon it.
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You mean those new fangled doohickeys? Don't have any. All my computers run off my trusty programmable Gateway 2000 "Anykey" keyboards. Although for one machine I did have to get a PS2 to USB adapter. Silly thing kept losing characters.
Psychosis at 10 Film at 11 Those who do not remember the past, are doomed to repeat it. Those who do not remember the past, cannot build upon it.
I'm not sure even PS/2 keyboard logic included the reset handling. IIRC, the original IBM PC keyboard did a processor reset when you hit Ctrl+Alt+Del. Obviously, with a USB device, that's no longer the case.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Unless the system is running a different OS... nah, who would want that? :confused:
Why would you be reading a Windows message if you are running a different OS? The point is that if someone tries to steal your password by displaying a fake login screen, the Ctrl+Alt+Del combo will defeat that trick. It is reasonable to hate on Windows for a whole host of things, but this is not one of them.
Narf.