Asp.net count user attempt
<p>I am new to ASP.net It might be a simple question but I  dont know how to do it.
I have a asp.wizard control on my page where On "step 1" I have one textbox that accept a order number
If user enter the order number  in textbox and it match with the database it move user to wizard step 2. If user  entered wrong value or  kept it blank then  validator controls warn to enter value or entered value is wrong.
However my concern it that if user try to input value more then <strong>three time</strong> it should show the popup window and say the message "you have tried three times and you dont have a valid order number" 
I tried to  increment my counter in  serverValidate event function but its reseting the counter value to 0 on every postback of the page.
I dont now how to do it as  everytime my page postback after clicking next button o my wizard page my counter value reset to 0</p>
