Knowledge Base

Err Msg "The Mailbox Name or Password Is Incorrect" in Mail

Article ID: 131520

Article Last Modified on 10/13/2003

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11

This article was previously published under Q131520

SYMPTOMS

After you clear the Remember Password check box in the Microsoft Mail logon dialog box in Windows for Workgroups and then change your Microsoft Mail password, the next time you log on you receive the following error message:

The mailbox name or password is incorrect.

Note that this description assumes that you have previously selected the Remember Password check box and then logged on to Microsoft Mail.

CAUSE

When you start Microsoft Mail, it looks for a cached password. If Microsoft Mail finds a cached password, it tries to use that password.

Clearing the Remember Password check box does not remove a previously cached password, but prevents your new password from being cached. In the situation described in the "Symptoms" section, the last cached password is different from your current password, but is used when you try to log in.

RESOLUTION

To work around this error, use either of the following methods:

Remove or rename the <username>.PWL file in the Windows directory, then restart Microsoft Mail and enter your new password. If you want the new password cached, select the Remember Password check box.

NOTE: This method removes all cached passwords.

NOTE: If you are using a personal certificate, you should export it before renaming your .pwl file. If you do not do so, it may be unavailable when you send e-mail. For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
190296 Unable to Use Personal Certificates in Outlook Express
Use the password list editor (PWLEDIT.EXE) available on the Utilities disk included with the Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Resource Kit to delete the cached password.

Additional query words: 3.10 3.11

Keywords: KB131520