Increase Domain Logon Timeout over Network

ID: Q163204

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you log on to a Domain, you may receive the following error message:

Logon Message
A domain controller for your domain could not be contacted. You have been logged on using cached account information. Changes made to your profile since you last logged on may not be available.


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To increase the amount of time Netlogon waits before timing out during an interactive logon using a Domain User account, the following registry setting can be used. This registry parameter can be added on a Windows NT 3.51 Service Pack 5 or Windows NT 4.0 Member Workstation or Server computer.

To edit the registry parameter, perform the following steps:

  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) and go to the following subkey:


    2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters
  2. On the Edit menu, click Add Value.


    3. Value Name: ExpectedDialupDelay
    Data Type: Reg_Dword
    Data Value is in seconds.
    Min Value: 0
    Max Value: 600 in decimal.
Note: This value can also be used to increase the delay for switched Ethernet networks.


MORE INFORMATION

The usage of this parameter as outlined above is not using secure channel traffic. For further information that discusses this parameter and its affect on Secure Channel communication, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q151259
TITLE : New Netlogon Registry Entry for Dialup Routers

ARTICLE-ID: Q154355
TITLE : How to Tune Trusts for Dialup Routers in a WAN

ARTICLE-ID: Q152719
TITLE : WAN and Trust: Traffic on the Wire

Additional query words: credentials interactive log on SAM UAS

Keywords : kbnetwork ntdomain NTSrvWkst
Version : WINDOWS:2000; winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0
Platform : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: January 20, 2000
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