I have installed slackware 14.1 on a laptop which should automatically start XFCE.
I know it is not safe but no one else has access to this laptop and it is meant as host for a Windows7 virtual machine for some one with no linux experience.

I have followed these instructions

http://www.fprimex.com/linux/slackware/tips.html

However these seem not to be working for SW 14.1

I get from /etc/login.defs :

unknown item 'NO_PASS_WORD_CONSOLE'

Which could be due to the fact I included it, as described, manually and is not supported any more.

any one ?

You need to have you laptop set up for a graphical log in - run level 4. There should be an option in your chosen DE to set up an automatic log in. For example in KDE in the system settings go down to system administration and double click on Login Screen. From there click on the convenience tab and you can set it up there.

If it is meant only to run a Windows 7 VM then why not expose that directly as sole application on Xorg start? (See Kiosk mode?)

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That page is for an ancient version of Slackware.

Note that KDE can be configured to let a user account login automatically, but you need XFCE and for XFCE I do not know of such feature.
I did not try myself, but this should work :

Run "xwmconfig" and select XFCE as the desktop environment of your choice.

Add the following line to /etc/rc.d/rc.local :

Taken from http://massimilianoluccini.wordpress...are-senza-gdm/

this is a LAPTOP ? RIGHT?

you really do not want "autologin"

think about it for a few minutes

if it is stolen ( or left someplace)
the thief or whomever will have access to well
YOUR CREDIT CARDS!!!
YOUR PASSWORDS -including to your amazon account
all your "naughty" sites you have a subscription to
and SO ON ....

You don't need that under /etc/login.defs anymore. I had this problem before. The autologin still works here without that line.

Autologin should have been wiped off the 'options' long ago.

Thanks for the hints, tips and concerns.

I have not investigated the link any further and am using Alien Bobs suggestion.

Thanks all.

You may not have a use for it, but others do. People who set this up generally do it knowing the security implications it can bring. This is why it's an option.

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on a "kiosk" type install with a computer physically locked / attached to a DESK
that ( auto login to a unprivileged user) is all fine and dandy

but on a LAPTOP computer ??????????

My laptop never leaves my house. It is currently running Windows because of some software requirements, but I don't have it lock and I have it log in automatically (although, the account does have a password). If someone breaks into my house, my laptop being unlocked is the least of my problems. I have the laptop so I can work from places in the house other than the office (I am usually ssh'ed into my desktop). If I was constantly traveling with my laptop, I'd consider different security precautions, but as it stands, I think they're unnecessary for my current use. If I'm worried about a friend accessing my laptop to "hack" my facebook to change my status or worried a friend's kid might get button happy, I'll lock the laptop so it requires a password to unlock it.

As I said earlier, I've done this knowing fully well the security implications it brings.

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In my opinion, auto-login absolutely makes sense on a laptop. To protect your data in case it's stolen or lost, you should use disc encryption with a strong pass phrase anyway. And I really don't see a huge security benefit in also asking for a user and pw after you need the pass phrase to boot it. But of course your laptop should be locked when you suspend it.

If you're not using disk encryption for security of important files all that is needed for root access is an install disk.