Why is the "show fast user switching" option grey?

My MacBook has only ever had one account on it until now. I noticed that the Fast User Switching option wasn't showing up in my menu bar, so I went to System Preferences > Accounts > Login Options to enable it. However, the option to "Show fast user switching menu" is grey and I cannot select the checkbox next to it. Yes, I am using an admin account and yes, I have clicked the lock to make changes in the Accounts preferences pane.

I have the same problem- I have three accounts on this machine.
The option is greyed out. I tried zapping PRAM, and restarts but no joy.
It coincided with a forced shut-down after an HP update installation hung all day on one of the accounts. "turning off may harm your computer"...
Any clues to a fix would be welcome.
Thanks.

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I don't believe so..

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I don't believe so..

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cheers leigh

At this point I think you should get Applejack...
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/19596
After installing, reboot holding down CMD+s, then when the DOS like prompt shows, type in...
applejack AUTO
Then let it do all 5 of it's things.
At least it'll eliminate some questions if it doesn't fix it.
The 5 things it does are...
Correct any Disk problems.
Repair Permissions.
Clear out Cache Files.
Repair/check several plist files.
Dump the VM files for a fresh start.
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Disconnect the USB cable from any UPS so the system doesn't shut down in the middle of the process.
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Valuable skills are not learned, learned skills aren't valuable.

Hi,
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HI MAtthew,
Welcome to the Apple Discussion Pages.
I have not seen this (I only have one Mac).
However there is an item in IChat Preferences > General section that can set the staus of the Users account to Offline or Away when using Fast User Switching.
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System Preferences -> Users & Groups, click Login Options, you'll see it then. You'll need to unlock that preference pane with the lock in the lower left corner of the window to change that setting.

Why is the "show fast user switching" option grey?

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