Microsoft KB Archive/174356

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

"Member ID or Password Is Not Valid" Connecting to MSN
Last reviewed: October 23, 1997

Article ID: Q174356

The information in this article applies to:


 * The Microsoft Network, versions 1.0, 1.05, 1.2, 1.3, 2.0, 2.5

SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to connect to MSN, The Microsoft Network, you may receive one of the following error messages:


 * Could not connect. The Member ID or Password is not valid.
 * The password not valid. Please type it again.
 * The Member ID is not valid. Please make sure it is correct and try again.

Under certain conditions, you may be able to connect to MSN using the MSN icon and the Internet And The Microsoft Network service type. However, when you attempt to connect using The Internet icon on the desktop, you receive the an error message.

CAUSE
This behavior can occur for the following reasons:


 * You may have typed your Member ID or password incorrectly.
 * MSN may be unable to validate your account information.
 * An intermittent Point of Presence (POP) server or Accounts Database server may be preventing authentication.
 * Your password list file (.pwl) may be damaged or missing.
 * Dial-Up Networking components may be damaged or configured incorrectly.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods:

Method 1
MSN may be unable to verify your account information. Your account may have expired or have been locked.

For answers to questions about accounts and billing, contact MSN Member Services at (813) 557-0613 or (800) 386-5550.

NOTE: If your credit card has expired, your MSN account is automatically locked and you must contact MSN Member Service to supply your new credit card number or expiration date.

Method 2
 Double-click the MSN icon on the desktop. Click the Remember My Password check box to clear it. Delete both the Member ID and password. In both the Member ID and Password boxes, type "XXXXXXXX" (without quotation marks), and then click Connect.  When the MSN Sign-In screen appears again, type your correct MSN Member ID and password. NOTE: You must type your MSN Member ID, not your e-mail address.  Click the Remember My Password check box to select it, and then click Connect.

Method 3
Delete the password list file. To do so, follow these steps:


 * 1) Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.
 * 2) In the Named box, type " .pwl" (without quotation marks), where is your MSN Member ID, and then click Find Now.
 * 3) In the list of found files, right-click the .pwl file, and then click Delete.
 * 4) Close the Find window.
 * 5) Restart the computer.

Method 4
Remove and reinstall Dial-Up Networking and the Dial-Up Adapter. To do so, use the following steps:

 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.</li> Double-click Network.</li> On the Configuration tab, click Dial-Up Adapter, and then click Remove.</li> Click OK or Close until you return to Control Panel.</li> When you are prompted to restart the computer, click No.</li> Double-click Add/Remove Programs.</li> On the Windows Setup tab, click Communications, and then click Details.</li> Click the Dial-Up Networking check box to clear it, click OK, and then click OK again.</li> Close the Control Panel window, and then restart the computer.</li> Right-click the MSN icon on the desktop, and then click Connection Settings.</li> Click Access Numbers. Verify that the Internet And The Microsoft Network service type is selected, and then click OK.</li>  When you receive the following prompt Your computer is not entirely set up to access the Internet. Do     you want MSN to set it up now? click Yes. </li> Follow the instructions on the screen. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.</li></ol>

MORE INFORMATION
For more information about how to remove and reinstall the Dial-Up Adapter for MSN, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q173088 TITLE    : How to Remove and Reinstall the Dial-Up Adapter for MSN