"Connection Has Been Dropped" Error Message After Authentication (192544)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows CE Services 2.1, when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
    • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows CE Services 2.2, when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
    • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
This article was previously published under Q192544

SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect your Windows CE device, the following error message may appear after the Responding To Authentication dialog box appears:
Connection has been dropped. Try reconnecting your device. If the problem persist check your serial cable and any user name, password, or domain that you are providing.
Note that this behavior occurs only with Windows NT.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because Windows CE Services Setup creates a local account without enabling the Password Never Expires option. Windows CE devices have a problem when the user name and password cache is not flushed when authentication does not succeed.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, follow these steps on the desktop computer:
  1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click User Manager.
  2. Click the local account created by Windows CE Services Setup and then click to select the Password Never Expires check box.
  3. Click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

If you are logged on to your Windows NT-based computer using an account with local administrative privileges, Windows CE Services Setup sets the appropriate Remote Access Service (RAS) privileges for the local administrative account.

During Setup, if you are logged on to the Windows NT-based computer with a domain account, Setup prompts you for user name and password to log on to your Windows CE device. It is best to use the user name and password as you normally log on with, or you have to log on using the new user name and password you provide in this dialog box.

Windows CE Services creates a new local account with the user name and password that you provide in this dialog box.

When you want to connect, make sure you are logged on using this user name and password, and use the same user name and password in the Windows CE password screen.

When you want to connect your Windows CE device, you must be logged on to the Windows NT-based computer as an administrator and use the same user name and password.

NOTE: You do not need to provide the domain in the password box.

Additional Information

If you receive the following error message, use the resolution listed below:
The Everyone group no longer has the user right of "Access this computer from network."
  1. Run User Manager.
  2. On the Policies menu, click User Rights.
  3. In the Right box, click Access This Computer From Network.
  4. In the Grant To box, add the Everyone group, or add the specific accounts used for Windows CE authentication.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/28/2003
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB192544
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.