Logging In

Logging in to a system is a two-step process:

1. Type your login ID at the Login: prompt.

2. Type your password at the Password: prompt.

   (To maintain password secrecy, your password is not displayed on your screen when you type it.)

   If your login is successful you will see your system's message of the day (if any) and then your command-line prompt, windowing system, or normal application.

The Login incorrect Message

The Login incorrect message indicates that:

• You have entered the wrong login ID or the wrong password. This is the most common cause of the Login incorrect message. Check your spelling and repeat the process. Note that most systems limit to five the number of unsuccessful login tries you can make:

  • If you exceed a number of tries limit, you will get a Too many failures - try later message and not be allowed to try again until a designated time span has passed.

  • If you fail to successfully log in within a specified amount of time you will receive a Too many tries; try again later message, and not be allowed to try again until a designated time span has passed.

• Another possible cause of the Login incorrect message is that an administrator has locked your password and you cannot use it until it is unlocked. If you are sure that you are entering your login ID and password correctly, and you still get a Login incorrect message, contact your system administrator.

• Another possible cause of the Login incorrect message is that an administrator has expired your password privileges and you cannot use your password until your privileges are restored. If you are sure that you are entering your login ID and password correctly, and you still get a Login incorrect message, contact your system administrator.

The password expired Message

If you receive a Your password has expired message it means that your password has reached its age limit and expired. In other words, the password has been in use for too long and you must choose a new password at this time. (See "Choosing a Password", for criteria that a new password must meet.)

In this case, choosing a new password is a three-step process:

1. Type your old password at the Enter login password (or similar) prompt.

   Your keystrokes are not shown on your screen.

2. Type your new password at the Enter new password prompt.

   Your keystrokes are not shown on your screen.

3. Type your new password again at the Re-enter new password prompt.

   Your keystrokes are not shown on your screen.

The will expire Message

If you receive a Your password will expire in N days message (where N is a number of days), or a Your password will expire within 24 hours message, it means that your password will reach its age limit and expire in that number of days (or hours).

In essence, this message is telling you to change your password now. (See "Changing Your Password".)

The Permission denied Message

After entering your login ID and password, you may get a Permission denied message and be returned to the login: prompt. This means that your login attempt has failed because an administrator has either locked your password, or terminated your account, or your password privileges have expired. In these situations you cannot log in until an administrator unlocks your password or reactivates your account or privileges. Consult your system administrator.