>I know,...I know,....I should have paid attention when the topic of
retaining one's password was under discussion.  But I didn't have >that
problem then. Only got it when I re-installed win98SE. Now I have to
re-enter my password every time I wish to dial up. Can >anyone help?

Hiya Arthur,

  The problem here lies in the fact that there are no network components
installed on your machine that will retain the passwords for you, there are
two of them for Windows 98 SE, "Client for Microsoft Networks" and
"Microsoft Family Logon". I would recommend using Client for Microsoft
Networks. Here is how to go about installing it:

  Open your control panel through My Computer, Control Panel. Double Click
on "Network". Click on "Add", Double Click "Client", Click "Microsoft" on
the left hand side, Click "Client for Microsoft Networks" on the right hand
side, Click "OK" on this screen, Click "OK" on the Network screen.

  At this point it will go through some system configuration changes and
probably ask you for your win98se CDRom to install the Click for Microsoft
Networking components. After that is done, it should ask you to reboot (if
it doesn't, do it yourself).

  When the system comes back up and windows starts, you will see a login
prompt at the beginning when windows comes up. Leave the login name as it
is, and do not enter a password. Just click on OK.

  When you try to dial up now, you will see that you now have the "Save
Password" option (it's no longer grayed out). Click that option, put in your
password and log on. Your password is saved now.

  Windows stores all your passwords in a file name <windows-login-name>.pwl
.. whatever you see when you boot back up in the login prompt for the name
is what the beginning of the filename will be. Remember it, if you wish to
do the next step.

  Now, this part is completely optional, but you can get rid of that initial
login screen and still retain the ability to save your passwords. To do
this, go to the Start menu, then Find, Files or Folders. Search for "*.pwl"
(without the quotes of course, and that's an asterisk, Shift-8). Delete the
file that matches the login name that you are using. Reboot the machine,
when the login prompt comes up, you will see the same thing, but there is no
previous PWL (PassWord List) file created for that login name since you just
deleted it. Again, do not enter a password. Just click OK. Windows should
come up and ask you to confirm (doesn't always ask for confirmation though)
and if it does, click OK again. Windows will start up normally.

  When you start your next windows session, it should go right in to
Windows, bypassing the need to click OK on the login prompt anymore.

Hope this helps!

Frank Diacheysn (CrazyMan)
VP, CobbPC

CobbPC - "Your One-Stop Source For All Computer Needs"
http://www.cobbpc.com/
(770) 435-5065
[log in to unmask]

PC Sales, Upgrades, Service, Repair, Web Hosting & Site Design

                         PCSOFT's List Owner's:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>