Connecting from NT 4.0 / Service Pack 3 Machines

The Problem:

NT 4.0's Service Pack 3 disables NT's ability to establish "plain text password" connections -- connections where the authentication password is transmitted across the network in clear, readable text.

This combination usually results in the error message:

        

        The account is not authorized to login from this station.

The Solution:

If there are only a few NT 4.0 w/SP3 machines...

The easiest approach may be to add the "EnablePlainTextPassword" registry key. Other systems (DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Macintosh w/DAVE) that are not having trouble connecting won't be affected by this and should continue to connect normally. One drawback to this approach is that you may have to re-add the registry key if you install other Service Packs and new NT 4.0 w/SP3 machines will need the key.

To Re-enable "PlainTextPassword" Connections on NT 4.0 w/SP3:

Beginning with NT 4.0's Service Pack 3, the SMB redirector does not send unencrypted passwords unless the "EnablePlainTextPassword" registry key is added.

WARNING! Be very careful when using the registry editor. If used improperly the registry can easily become corrupted which may result in an unstable or unbootable system. Please be very careful when attempting this.

Or, you can manually add this key to your registry by:

1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
Start   |   Run   |   Open:     [ regedt32     ]
2. From the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, go to the following key:
\system\currentcontrolset\services\rdr\parameters
3. Click Add Value on the Edit menu.
4. Add the following:
Value Name:   EnablePlainTextPassword
Data Type:     REG_DWORD
5. Click OK and then add:
Data:             1
6. Click OK and then quit the Registry Editor.
7. Shut down and restart Windows NT.

You should now be able to connect to File & Print services using NT 4.0 / Service Pack 3.

Comments and suggestions always welcome - tom@tkrh.demon.co.uk