Cannot Save Password - Windows 95/98


Table of Contents

Introduction
This information applies to:
Symptoms
Possible causes
Possible solutions - method 1
Possible solutions - method 2
Possible solutions - method 3
Additional information


Introduction

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This information applies to:
Customers using Windows 95 or 98.

Symptoms

When you try to save your password when you connect to ASIS by clicking the Save Password check box, your password may not be saved. This problem can occur even when you successfully connect to the server, and when your password has not changed.

When you are using Dial-Up Networking, the option to save the password that you are entering may not be available (grayed out). When you are using Dial-Up Networking, this option normally appears as a Save Password check box.


Possible causes

This problem can occur if the password list file is damaged. Sometimes such damage is detected by Windows. When this occurs, Windows offers to delete the damaged file. However, some types of damage are not detected.

This behavior can occur if you are not currently logged on to Windows 95. If you click Cancel in the logon dialog box that appears when Windows 95 is starting, your password cache list file is not opened, and your passwords cannot be saved.

This behavior can also occur if you have installed Dial-Up Networking but the client for Microsoft Networks has not been installed.


Possible solutions - method 1

Locate and delete or rename your password list file. The file is named *.pwl, where * is the name you use to log on, and should be located in the Windows folder. After you delete or rename the file, restart Windows. NOTE: If you rename your password list file, be sure to rename the .pwl file extension to a different extension (such as .xxx). If you do not rename the file extension, the password list file is loaded into memory.


Possible solutions - method 2

When you start Windows 95, do not click Cancel in the logon dialog box. If you do not have a password, create a new one by typing it in the Password box, or create a null password by clicking OK. If you create a null password, you are no longer prompted to log on to Windows when Windows starts. Creating a null password does not prevent other people from accessing your computer, but does allow you to save your password when you are using Dial-Up Networking or a shared network resource. NOTE: Creating a null password does not allow you to save your Dial-Up Networking password if you are using user profiles. Using user profiles prevents the Dial-Up Networking password from being saved. To restart Windows 95 so that you receive the logon dialog box, use the appropriate method.

If Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 is Not Installed:

Click Start, click Shut Down, click "Close all programs and log on as a different user", and then click OK.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Installed:

Click Start, click Log Off (username), and then click Yes.


Possible solutions - method 3

Install the client for Microsoft Networks in Network properties.

Go to the Start button, point to Settings, and point to Control Panel.

Open up the Network control panel.

Click Add.

Pick Client, then click Add again.

For the manufacturer, pick Microsoft, and for the product, pick Client for Microsoft Networks.

Click OK.

You may need to restart your computer.


Additional information

Password cache list files are associated with individuals. If you do not log on to Windows, Windows does not know who you are, and cannot open your password cache list file.