>>I have tried to create a new user several times, and each time I get the error
>>
>> error 15120 unexpected error during password validation.
>>
>>This not only crashed SQL Server, but also crashes windows!! (2008R2)
>>
>>All I am doing is trying to create a new user (SQL validation with SQL sysadmin privileges).
>>
>>Wow! this seems like a huge glaring bug, but I don't find anything in MS about it.
>>
>>
>>Any help would be greatly appreciated!
>
>What is your SQL Server version exactly (select @@Version)?
>
>Also, did you try to script the action and do this from a script?

version = 11.0.21000.60 (x64)

I created the user turning off the pw validation. After that was good, I then checked the validation again. it was ok then, but while I found a work-around, this still seems like a huge bug that SQL would crash windows at all ever. ... just my $.02

thank you for your response Naomi