Microsoft KB Archive/306322

= Error Message When You Try to Connect to the Internet: Your Windows Passwords List Was Damaged =

Article ID: 306322

Article Last Modified on 1/31/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 95

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This article was previously published under Q306322



SYMPTOMS
When you attempt log on to Windows or connect to the Internet, you may receive an error message similar to the following:

Your Windows Passwords list was damaged. The damage has been repaired as much as possible. But you may need to reenter some or all of your Windows passwords.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if either of the following conditions is true:
 * Your password list file (.pwl) is damaged.

-or-
 * One or more of the files that are associated with Dial-Up Networking are damaged.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use any of the following methods, as appropriate to your situation.

Method 1
Rename all password list files on your hard disk. The password file is named .pwl (where   is your logon user name) and is located in the Windows folder. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
 * 2) In the Search for files or folders named box, type *.pwl, and then click Search Now.
 * 3) In the Search Results list, right-click the password list file, and then click Rename.
 * 4) Rename the file by using the .old extension, and then press ENTER.
 * 5) Repeat step 3 and step 4 for each .pwl file on your hard disk.
 * 6) Close the Search Results window.
 * 7) Restart your computer.

If your primary network logon is not set to Windows Logon, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network.
 * 2) On the Configuration tab, click Windows Logon in the Primary Network Logon box, and then click OK.
 * 3) Click No to the Do you want to restart your computer now? message.
 * 4) In Control Panel, double-click Passwords.
 * 5) On the User Profiles tab, click All users of this computer use the same preferences and desktop settings (if it is not already selected), and then click Close.
 * 6) Restart your computer.

Method 2
Remove and reinstall Dial-Up Networking, and then create a new dial-up connection. To do this, follow these steps.

Remove Dial-Up Networking

 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
 * 2) Click the Windows Setup tab.
 * 3) Click Communications, and then click Details.
 * 4) Click to clear the Dial-Up Networking check box, and then click Yes to the Do you want to remove Dial-Up Networking and all components that require it? message.
 * 5) Click OK twice to close the dialog boxes, and then click Yes to the Do you want to restart your computer now? message.

Install Dial-Up Networking

 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
 * 2) Click the Windows Setup tab.
 * 3) Click Communications, and then click Details.
 * 4) Click to select the Dial-Up Networking check box, and then click OK.
 * 5) Click OK again, and then click Yes to the Do you want to restart your computer now? message.

Create a New Dial-Up Connection

 * 1) Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Communications, and then click Dial-Up Networking.
 * 2) Double-click Make New Connection.
 * 3) Follow the instructions on the screen to create a new dial-up connection.

For additional information about how to create and configure a dial-up connection in Windows Me, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

275325 How to Connect to the Internet Using the Internet Connection Wizard in Windows Millennium Edition

For additional information about how to create and configure a dial-up connection in Windows 95 and Windows 98, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

138789 How to Connect to the Internet in Windows 95 and Windows 98

Method 3
Log off and then log on to Windows. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, click Log off, and then click Yes to the Are you sure you want to log off?, message.
 * 2) When your computer restarts, type your user name and password in the appropriate boxes on the logon screen, and then click OK.

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB306322

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