Cannot Connect to Novell Drive - Account is Locked Out

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Your NetWare account is locked out when you try to establish a connection to a Novell server from File Manager using Client Services for NetWare (CSNW) or Gateway Services for Netware (GSNW).

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the NetWare and Windows NT user accounts have the same username, but different passwords, and the NetWare account is restricted to "Lock out after three (or up to six) bad logons."

When you log on, Windows NT tries to establish a connection to the default preferred server using the Windows NT credentials (Windows NT username and Windows NT password). When this fails, you are prompted to select a preferred NetWare server and enter a password. If you enter the correct NetWare password, the connection is established and you can connect to shares through File Manager with no problems.

If you choose not to logon to the Novell server by choosing Cancel or by selecting None for the preferred server, Windows NT still tries to connect to the Novell server several times using the Windows NT credentials. Each attempt by Windows NT to establish a connection is counted as a failed logon attempt. If you later attempt to connect to the NetWare drive from File Manager, the attempt fails as the account is locked out.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, make sure the Windows NT and NetWare account passwords match.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT Workstation and Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.