"Connection to <Number> Is Not a Valid Name" Error Message Occurs If You Create a Dial-Up Networking Connection (319162)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q319162

SYMPTOMS

If you try to create a new dial-up connection, you may receive the following error message, where number is the telephone number that you typed in the Network Connection Wizard:
Connection to number is not a valid name.
The entry must contain at least one character that is not a space and does not begin with a period.

Choose a different name.

CAUSE

This issue may occur in the following situation:
  • You upgrade the computer from a previous operating system to Windows 2000.

    -and-
  • Some of the Windows 2000 Routing and Remote Access components were not installed correctly.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, perform an inplace upgrade of Windows 2000:
  1. Log on to Windows 2000 Professional as an administrator.
  2. Insert the Windows 2000 compact disc (CD).
  3. In the startup window, click Install Windows 2000.
  4. Click Upgrade to Windows 2000 (Recommended), and then click Next.
  5. Click I accept this agreement, and then click Next.
  6. Type your Windows 2000 Professional product key number in the Product Key boxes, and then click Next.

    Windows Setup copies files to the hard disk, restarts the computer, and then replaces the Windows system files.
  7. Follow the remaining steps in the installation wizard to complete the inplace upgrade process.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

292175 How to Perform an Inplace Upgrade of Windows 2000

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/1/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB319162
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