Password log in problem

[JT]

Occassionaly when we try to log in to our desktop XP indicates wrong
password, this happens to all users. The passwords are correct and the only
way to log in is to restart the computer and then the passwords will work.
As indicated this doesn't happen all the time.

Any help would be great appreciated.

thanks
JT

 

[Andrew McLaren]

Occassionaly when we try to log in to our desktop XP indicates wrong
password, this happens to all users. The passwords are correct and the only
way to log in is to restart the computer and then the passwords will work.
As indicated this doesn't happen all the time.

The first thing to ask is whether the users are logging in to a Windows
Domain using their Domain accounts; or are they logging in using local
workstation accounts?

If they are logging in to a Domain and it affects all users at the same
time, then you probably have a problem on the Domain Controller. If
various workstations cannot log on to the Domain from time to time,
there's probably a communications problem between the workstations and
the DC.

If users are logging in with local accounts and getting this error ...
geez, I dunno. What do you see in the Event Logs?

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[JT]

This is a home computer using User Accounts nothing fancy.

thanks

 

[Andrew McLaren]

This is a home computer using User Accounts nothing fancy.

Hmm, in that case ... it's a strange problem.

Windows stores usernames and passwords in the so-called "SAM database"
(SAM=="Security Access Manager"). This is located in the file
C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\SAM - although, this file is normally hidden.

My first guess is that the SAM may be slightly corrupted; or else that
an intermittent problem is preventing Windows from properly accessing
the SAM when you try to log in (eg occasional hard disk errors).

A few things to try:

- first, make a good backup of all your important data; just in case the
machine suddenly goes belly-up, or gets trashed while you try to fix the
problem.

- while logged in as an administrator, run this command at a command prompt:

C:\>chkdsk C: /F /V /X

And then reboot the machine. CHKDSK will run while the machine is
booting, and attempt to fix ("/F") any errors it finds.

- make sure your anti-virus and anti-malware software is up to date,
then run a full scan of your system.

- go to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer, and look at
the System and Application event log. Note any error or warning messages
(red or yellow circle), to see if they relate to the password problem.

- as a general maintenance thing, run Windows Update and make sure you
have all current hotfixes for Windows installed. The problem you're
seeing doesn't sound like a "known" one fixed by a patch, but better to
be safe and sure.

- as a general maintenance thing (again), go to Start, Accessories,
System Tools and run Disk Cleanup. Use it to delete any crud hanging
around your hard disk. Make sure you have at least 10% free disk space.
Next, run Defragment, just in case your disk heads are maxxed out
zigging back and forth. defrag won't (unfortunately) defrag the SAM
database as such, but it will reduce the overall burden on the drive.

Other folks may have extra ideas. Hope this helps a bit,

Andrew

 

[Jose]

Occassionaly when we try to log in to our desktop XP indicates wrong
password, this happens to all users.  The passwords are correct and theonly
way to log in is to restart the computer and then the passwords will work..
As indicated this doesn't happen all the time.

Any help would be great appreciated.

thanks
JT

What version of XP and Service pack?

How does XP "indicate wrong password"? (what is the message).

When you try to login and it fails, are you coming in from a
screensaver, hibernate, standby, etc.?

Caps lock not on (I know about the message).

When the PW is not working, put the cursor in the user name field so
you can see what is being typed. Type the PW in the user field and
you can see the PW as it is typed in - does the PW look okay?

How about some scans for malicious software:

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/

They can be uninstalled later if desired.

 

[JT]

XP Prof SP 2

Password can't been seen when typed just dots but we are sure everything is
correct.

Again it doesn't happen all the time

Occassionaly when we try to log in to our desktop XP indicates wrong
password, this happens to all users. The passwords are correct and the
only
way to log in is to restart the computer and then the passwords will work.
As indicated this doesn't happen all the time.

Any help would be great appreciated.

thanks
JT

What version of XP and Service pack?

How does XP "indicate wrong password"? (what is the message).

When you try to login and it fails, are you coming in from a
screensaver, hibernate, standby, etc.?

Caps lock not on (I know about the message).

When the PW is not working, put the cursor in the user name field so
you can see what is being typed. Type the PW in the user field and
you can see the PW as it is typed in - does the PW look okay?

How about some scans for malicious software:

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/

They can be uninstalled later if desired.