windows sign in screen

hey all i have this wierd thing going on my comp. in the last week it takes me to the windows screen where you click on your user name to acess the computer or your account but i'm not sure why all of a sudden it's making me do this i am the only one who uses my computer therefor thers only one acount it never did this before my computer would just automatically start up once initiated

and it seems my coputer is running better it's starting up faster (after i click my acount that is) and everything i was just curious as to why this is happening

thanks for all the help everyone

and by the way i have windows xp pro installed and no i don't have service pack 2.

 

shouldn't this be in the software forum?

you can turn off the welcome screen in Control Panel/User Accounts