When I install Mac OS 8.0 onto my PowerBook 3400, the Password Security control panel gets automatically disabled. I cannot seem to use it anymore. What is happening?

On PowerBook 2400 and 3400 systems, Password Security software is not compatible with Mac OS 8.0. Other PowerBook systems are not affected.

If the Password Security control panel is opened on PowerBook 2400 or 3400 systems while Mac OS 8.0 is running, the controls will not work or will work improperly.

If a clean install of Mac OS 8.0 is performed on a PowerBook 2400 or 3400 system, the Password Security software will not be installed. If Mac OS 8.0 is installed over a previous version of the Mac OS, the Password Security control panel will be moved into the "Control Panels (Disabled)" folder.

With Mac OS 8.0, you can still use Password Security on PowerBook 2400 and 3400 systems but you will need to start up from an earlier version of the system software in order to adjust any Password Security settings. If you do not have an earlier version of the system software on your hard drive, you can drag the Password Security control panel to the System Folder on the Disk Tools disk which came with your PowerBook. If you do not already have Password Security on your hard drive, you will need to custom install it from the system software installer on the CD which came with your computer. Then, if you start up from the Disk Tools disk you will be able to turn Password Security on and off, change the password, and so on. These settings will persist and function correctly even after restarting with Mac OS 8.0.

Apple has released a software update for PowerBook 2400 and 3400 customers with this problem. Please see TIL article 26056 for more information on Password Security 1.0.6.