Turn on your computer, and you are asked to enter a password; then you need another one to access your Internet service; and yet another to look up information on your favorite Web site. These days, it’s easy to be inundated with passwords. Unlike computers where you can add as much memory as you like, ours is limited and often overtaxed.

The key is knowing when using a password is really necessary. To help simplify things, here is a quick explanation of commonly-used passwords in Windows 98, so you can make educated decisions.

Your pass to personalization
When several people in a home use the same computer, Windows 98 has a useful feature called user profiles that allows different users to maintain individual preferences for things like screen savers, wallpaper, sound effects, and Web favorites. Each time the computer is turned on, a password box asks for a name and password, so Windows 98 can apply the correct settings and to log you into your personal identity in Outlook Express.

But if you are the only person using your computer, or if your family does not use profiles, you may find you're still prompted for your name and password each time you log on to Windows 98. If this is the case, entering a password to start Windows each time you turn on your computer may be an unnecessary step.

To simplify your logon procedure, you can eliminate the Windows password. Here’s how to prevent Windows 98 from prompting you for a password at startup:

1. In Control Panel, double-click Passwords.

2. Click the Change Passwords tab, click Change Windows Password, and then click OK.

3. In the Change Windows Password dialog box, type your current Windows password in the Old Password box. Leave the New Password and Confirm New Password boxes blank, click OK, and then click OK.

4. Click the User Profiles tab and verify that the "All users of this PC use the same preferences and desktop settings" option is selected. Click Close.

5. Shut down and then restart Windows 98.

Increase security with a screen saver password
Whether or not you use a Windows password, you may want to have your computer secure if you take a break and walk away from it. Windows 98 allows you to assign a password that is activated with your screen saver to prevent anyone else from seeing what is on your computer, or using it while you are away.

Normally, when you touch a key or move your mouse, the screen saver will disappear. However when password protection is turned on, you are asked to enter a password before you can access the computer. If the wrong password is entered, the screen saver will continue to cover the screen, and the keyboard can only be used to enter the correct password.

Here’s how to set up a screen saver password:

1. Open the Display Properties dialog box, and select the Screen Saver tab.

2. Select the Password protected box, and then click the Change Button.

3. Type your password, and then confirm the password by typing it again.

Be sure to check the amount of time before the screen saver activates. The length of time should be short enough to protect your computer when you are away, but not so short it turns on every time you pause to look at your notes or take a sip of coffee.

Passwords are very important any time security is an issue, but if you are the only person in your house using your computer, simplify your passwords and you may be able to get rid of a few of those sticky-notes with cryptic words scribbled on them stuck to the edges of your monitor.

Mark Reed can never remember all of his passwords.