Increase Domain Logon Timeout over Network (163204)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q163204

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you log on to a Domain, you may receive the following error message:
Logon Message
A domain controller for your domain could not be contacted. You have been logged on using cached account information. Changes made to your profile since you last logged on may not be available.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To increase the amount of time Netlogon waits before timing out during an interactive logon using a Domain User account, the following registry setting can be used. This registry parameter can be added on a Windows NT 3.51 Service Pack 5 or Windows NT 4.0 Member Workstation or Server computer.

To edit the registry parameter, perform the following steps:
  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) and go to the following subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters

  2. On the Edit menu, click Add Value.

    Value Name: ExpectedDialupDelay
    Data Type: Reg_Dword
    Data Value is in seconds.
    Min Value: 0
    Max Value: 600 in decimal.

Note: This value can also be used to increase the delay for switched Ethernet networks.

MORE INFORMATION

The usage of this parameter as outlined above is not using secure channel traffic. For further information that discusses this parameter and its affect on Secure Channel communication, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: 151259
TITLE : New Netlogon Registry Entry for Dialup Routers

ARTICLE-ID: 152719
TITLE : WAN and Trust: Traffic on the Wire

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/11/2006
Keywords:kbnetwork KB163204
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