How to reset or cancel "network password"

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jbclem - 15 Jul 2008 08:24 GMT

For two years I've had a simple LAN for my two home computers. I never even knew about network passwords until I
recently replaced one of the motherboards and had to reinstall Win2000. In this process I was asked, for the first time
ever that I remember, to pick a network password. I did that because I didn't seem to have a choice. Now when I start
go to up the computers the network is inaccessible. To get it to work I have to go to My Network Places and click my
way through the network icons, then the workgroup icon, then open the icon for the other computer and then finally a
screen will pop up asking for the network password. Today for the first time, my password isn't working.

So, where can I go to reset or remove the requirement for a network password. I'd sure appreciate some help with this.

John

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Pegasus (MVP) - 15 Jul 2008 08:45 GMT

> For two years I've had a simple LAN for my two home computers. I never
> even knew about network passwords until I
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> John

There is no such thing as a "network password". However, all
versions of Windows starting with Windows NT employ a file
security system. This means: Unless Windows "knows" you,
you are challenged for a password when trying to access a file
or a folder.

How can you get Windows to "know" you? Very simple: You
make sure that the logon account/password on your current
machine is identical to an account/password on the machine
that hosts your shared files.

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Meinolf Weber - 15 Jul 2008 12:53 GMT

Hello jbclem,

Make sure that both comupters are in the same workgroup and that on both
machines exist the same username/password. A network password doesn't exist
in that way.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> For two years I've had a simple LAN for my two home computers. I
> never even knew about network passwords until I
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> John

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Pegasus (MVP) - 15 Jul 2008 13:37 GMT

> Hello jbclem,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Meinolf Weber

AFAIR, the Workgroup is important for visibility of shared
resources. It is irrelevant when it comes to user authentication.

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jbclem - 16 Jul 2008 01:46 GMT

Just to be clear about this, the window that opens up is entitled "Enter Network Password". It asks for Connect as: and
Password. I've been entering the same user name and password that's always worked and suddenly it isn't working.

One possibility is that on my other computer I just installed an extra OS, WinXP. I used a different user name for that
account, but the same password. Strangely, when I'm on that computer(and WinXP) and want to access a file on this one,
there is no "Enter Network Password" window that pops up, the connection is made with no hassles. But if I'm on that
computer and using the Win2000 OS, I get the Network Password window.

I've created a new user account on the other computer with WinXP where I'll use the identical user name and password as
on the first computer. We'll see if that will solve this access problem. I'm currently trying to copy the original
user profile(on the WinXP account) to this new user account but not having any luck at it (the CopyTo is greyed out).

Can someone point me to a really good detailed explanation of passwords and user accounts and exactly how the interact
with each other.

John

> For two years I've had a simple LAN for my two home computers. I never even knew about network passwords until I
> recently replaced one of the motherboards and had to reinstall Win2000. In this process I was asked, for the first time
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> John

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