How To Enable the Slow Network Time Out Value

Computers that start multiple services or run lengthy logon scripts may receive the following error if connected to a busy network:

There are two ways currently available to alter the default Slow Link Timeout value to keep this message from appearing on your screen.

Method 1

You can alter the default Slow Link Timeout value for your Windows NT Workstation clients by using the System Policy Editor. To do this, perform the following steps:

1. Start System Policy Editor (Poledit.exe).
2. From the File menu, click Open Registry.
3. Click Local Machine.
4. Click Windows NT User Profiles.
5. Click to select the Check box for Slow network connection timeout.

Method 2

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serous problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

If you wish to alter this value in the registry, perform the following steps:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) and find the following subkey:
   

     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon
   						

2. From the Edit menu, click Add Value and type SlowLinkTimeOut for the Value Name. For DataType: leave at REG_DWORD. This value is in milliseconds (1,000 per second.) The minimum value is 0, the maximum is 120,000 (120 seconds) and the default is 2,000 (2 seconds.)