http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Search/en-US/?query=network%20password&rq=me ta:Search.MSForums.ForumID(388f479c-f002-4e26-b454-a8208d66fed6)+site:microsoft. com&rn=Windows+7+Networking+Forum We have stopped supporting Windows 98. The network compatibility is not consider ed in the design of the network in Windows 7. You may follow the steps to change the NTLM authentication level in Windows 7. 1. Launch regedit from Start Search box. 2. Find the following branch. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa 3. Create a DWORD key under Lsa and set: Name: LmCompatibilityLevel Value: 1 4. Restart. If the issue is not resolved, I suggest you use another system that is supported instead of Windows 98.