Dial up Q

[DL]

XP Home, Dell - (virgin setup)
Hi, I set up a new pc,from the box, created a dialup connection using
wizard. All Ok.
But next time I connected my password had grown! i.e. was 7* now 14*
Setup a second connection, manually, same thing.
Its not an overwhelming problem more an irritation
Any advice appreciated
David

[Thorsten Matzner]

"DL" > wrote:

>XP Home, Dell - (virgin setup)
>Hi, I set up a new pc,from the box, created a dialup connection using
>wizard. All Ok.
>But next time I connected my password had grown! i.e. was 7* now 14*

This is by design: the number of asterisks/dots does no longer match
the number of characters in the password for additional safety.

--
(tm)

[Sharon F]

On Sat, 23 Aug 2003 18:31:55 +0100, DL wrote:

> XP Home, Dell - (virgin setup)
> Hi, I set up a new pc,from the box, created a dialup connection using
> wizard. All Ok.
> But next time I connected my password had grown! i.e. was 7* now 14*
> Setup a second connection, manually, same thing.
> Its not an overwhelming problem more an irritation
> Any advice appreciated
> David

This is always a bit of a surprise to folks who are used to Win9x or WinME
(it was to me anyhow). The NT operating systems, including Windows XP, add
extra symbols to mask the actual password for security reasons. Not showing
the true number of characters makes it harder for someone looking over your
shoulder to guess at your password.

The underlying password should still be exactly the same as you entered it.
Type your password carefully and give the "extended" version a try to see
if it will connect.
--
Sharon F
MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

DL wrote:
> XP Home, Dell - (virgin setup)
> Hi, I set up a new pc,from the box, created a dialup connection using
> wizard. All Ok.
> But next time I connected my password had grown! i.e. was 7* now 14*
> Setup a second connection, manually, same thing.
> Its not an overwhelming problem more an irritation
> Any advice appreciated
>

David

This behavior is by design in XP. Your password is still intact and the same
as when you entered it. The extra asterix you see are simply for security.
These are added to defeat programs that can convert the asterix to the
actual characters you entered. The added asterix can make the password
appear to be 16 characters when it may actually be 4 or 5 characters.

--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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