Knowledge Base

NET PASSWORD on Windows for Workgroups Causes Error 2453

Article ID: 136873

Article Last Modified on 12/5/2003

Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows for Workgroups 3.11
Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows for Workgroups 3.11a
Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows for Workgroups 3.11b
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11

This article was previously published under Q136873

SYMPTOMS

On your computer running Windows for Workgroups version 3.11, after you log on to your Windows NT 3.51 primary domain controller (PDC) that is in a different subnet and you issue the command:

   NET PASSWORD /DOMAIN:<domain> <username> <old_password> <new_password>

your password is not changed and the following error message appears:

Error 2453: Unable to find domain controller for this domain.

CAUSE

A problem with the NET PASSWORD command in Windows for Workgroups causes this command to not find the PDC if there are no backup domain controllers (BDC) in the same subnet as the Windows for Workgroups computer.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem:

If you want to use the NET PASSWORD command, install a BDC in the same subnet as your computer running Windows for Workgroups.

-or-

Use the graphical user interface on your computer running Windows for Workgroups:

Run Control Panel and choose Network.
Choose Startup and then Set Password.
Type your old password in the Old Password field.
Type your new password in the New Password and the Confirm New Password fields and choose OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft TCP/IP-32 for Windows for Workgroups version 3.11b. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: prodtcp32 tcpip 3.11 3.11a 3.11b wfw wfwg

Keywords: KB136873