If you get a Win 98 login screen, by just pressing Cancel you can bypass the login and get to the default desktop with no personalised settings.

Is there a way to nail it so that you are a) required to log on with a valid name b) unable to bypass the login?

Yes, install Windows NT4 or Windows 2000, or Windows XP. Otherwise, not as far as I know. There might be add-on programs for this, but I don't think there's a way to do it in the base OS.

Is this a networked or standalone PC? If networked, is it a member of a windows NT or 2000 domain or is it a member of a peer-to-peer network? There are solutions to your problem more info is needed.

If you want to keep others from using a stand-alone machine, a simple startup password in the bios will usually suffice.

If you are in a domain, use the policy editor. See http://www.windows2000faq.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=15201

If you are standalone, use this reg hack: http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/629/

If you are standalone, use this reg hack: http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/629/

Whoa, cool. I didn't know that could be done at all. I was about to post that it can't be done at all in 95/98.

Of course, you can get around it by hacking the registry in Safe Mode, so it's not particularly secure. But to prevent casual poking around, that's very cool.

If you want to keep others from using a stand-alone machine, a simple startup password in the bios will usually suffice.

Which is what I've been doing, but it's a pain to have to hit the power button, wait for it to partially boot, enter the bios password, wait for the machine to fully boot, then enter your windows password. I'd rather just hit the power button and go get something to drink, then come back to a booted windows with the password box waiting for me.

It's networked, Peer-peer. All 98 machines except on NT 4 WS (not server). There's no domain controller.

My immediate instinct also, I confess. I really wanted to bung FreeBSD onto it, but it's a company machine so I can't, unforch

This one's the business, thanks very much for an excellent link (with lots of extra goodies!). I owe you one.