Cannot Unlock Workstation If Password Change Cancelled

 Last reviewed: May 19, 1997
Article ID: Q163616
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

A user logs on interactively to a Windows NT computer using an account whose password is about to expire. Windows NT displays a dialog box notifying the user that the password will expire shortly and offers the option to change it. The user selects "Yes" to change the password, but in the Password Change dialog box, the user selects "Cancel." The logon script proceeds and the user's desktop appears as normal.

However, if the workstation is subsequently locked, either interactively or by a secure screen saver, the logged on user will be unable to unlock the computer. Despite using the correct credentials, the following message is displayed: 

   The password is incorrect. Please retype your password. Letters in
   passwords must be typed using the correct case. Make sure that Caps Lock
   is not accidentally on.

WORKAROUND

Unlock the workstation using another administrative account.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. This problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 U.S. Service Pack. For information on obtaining the service pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces): 

   S E R V P A C K

Additional query words: 4.00 prodnt security winlogon expired
Keywords : kbfix4.00.sp3 ntsecurity NTSrvWkst kbbug4.00 kbbuglist kbfix4.00 kbfixlist
Version : 4.0
Platform : winnt
Hardware : x86
Issue type : kbbug
Resolution Type : kbservicepack

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Last reviewed: May 19, 1997
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