WFW RAS to Windows NT: "Access Denied" After Password Change

• Microsoft Remote Access Services for Windows for Workgroups 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you dial in from your Windows for Workgroups client using Remote Access Service (RAS) to connect to a Windows NT or Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1 RAS server and your password is expired, the server will prompt you for a new password during the authentication process. After you give a new password you will be authenticated, but when your RAS client tries to automatically reconnect to a shared directory or when you use File Manager to browse the available shares on a server the following error message appears:

   Access denied

   \\<servername>\<sharename>

CAUSE

This problem occurs because when you change your password over the RAS connection, the RAS client's local password file is not updated. Conversely, when you change your password over a direct network connection, your local password file is updated, so you are logged on with the new password and you are not denied access to new or persistent connections.

WORKAROUND

After giving a new password during authentication, choose Control Panel. In the Control Panel window choose the Network icon. Choose the Password button to change your password (again). Then log off and log on again from within the Network dialog box. These steps can be done during the same RAS connection.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Remote Access client for Windows for Workgroups 3.11. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.