This thread is here to attempt and solve the issues surrounding the x-ed out connection icon in the system tray and the many related/concurrent (part of the problem is deciding which issues are caused by what) problems that has happened to many vista users. Some of the suggested causes of the problems so far have been: -AIM (versions 5.9+) (seems to be by far the most popular program to blame, but not everyone has had this program installed) -Viewpoint (installed with AIM...once again, not everyone has had this) -Firefox2 (I don't know whether or not everyone has had this or not, but I read it quite a bit) -various anti-virus programs (this seems the most illogical of all because antivirus programs are quite common-place and I know many people who have these programs and have no issues...I myself had no issues for months) The most common symptoms seem to be: * - these seem to be the definitive issues. All of the other issues either seem to be side-effects (at least, it looks that way) or are not common to all situations and, therefore, may be caused by something else. *-1 - an x-ed out connection icon in the system tray *-2 - the network and connection center freezes upon loading (loading takes a long time also) *-3 - the internet can be accessed just fine *-4 - the Network List Service is not running even though it is set to Automatic and cannot be started (upon trying to start it, you receive the following: Error 1450: Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service. -5 - When clicking on -Start Menu, and right-clicking on -Computer, then selecting -Properties, the system rating is blank (or appears briefly and then disappears). (On my system, it says that the processor and memory are Not Available...does anyone else have this also?) -6 - Some people have problems with sound, and/or playing mp3s or other audio (if you have this problem, please write a more detailed explanation of the symptoms so that I can edit this to be more accurate). -If there are any other symptoms, please post so that I can gather a more complete list of the issues IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING: The main purpose of this thread is to try and figure out what this problem is. To this end, I will try and compile all of the postings as best I can every night or every couple (I have a life outside of my computer, but I will try) so that we can try and pinpoint the issue. -The first thing that I think we should try and keep track of (since it was already tried, but people stopped posting their information) is programs that people have installed. Whenever you post, please leave a list of the programs you have installed. A very useful program for this is HijackThis. It is a program intended to help diagnose and correct problems with your computer. You can get a scan of everything running if you desire(which we may need to try doing eventually, but first, I think we should just try installed programs since we don't know much about the issue). -Use HijackThis or some other such program and create a list of your programs to post here. To use HijackThis, download it from one of the following sites: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download5554.htmlhttp://www.merijn.org/files/HiJackThis_v2.exehttp://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/threat_analytics/hijackthis.php once downloaded, run HijackThis.exe -click on the <open misc tool section> button -select the <Open Uninstall Manager...> button -select <Save list...> -save the list somewhere on your computer (where you can find it if you want to look at it later) and press <save> -Notepad should pop up with a list of all your installed programs. Copy that into your post. -The next most important thing is to list what symptoms you have EXACTLY. If the symptom is already listed, go ahead and mention it (I added numbers to the symptoms so you can just abbreviate). IF YOU HAVE A NEW SYMPTOM OR ONE OF THE MAIN FOUR SYMPTOMS IS NOT PRESENT ON YOUR MACHINE, MAKE SURE YOU MAKE IT A POINT TO MENTION THAT!!!! We're trying to solve this problem, please help as much as you can. Also, if any Microsoft tech's are reading this, if there is a way for one of you to administrate this thread (and maybe delete posts as I compile them into a helpful format, or even make the thread sticky or something to help out this effort would be appreciated).

Here are my problems: Numbers: 1,2,3,4,5 Here are my specs: Windows Vista Home Basic motherboard: ASUS A8R-MVP CPU: Athlon 64 3200+ (Socket 939) RAM:2GB DDR2 Video: 2 x Radeon 1650 XT Pro (Crossfired) Ethernet: Marvell Yukon 88E8001/8003/8010 PCI Gigabit Ethernet Controller Installed programs: bsoluteTelnet Version 5.49Ad-Aware 2007Adobe Flash Player ActiveXAdobe Flash Player PluginAdobe Reader 8.1.1Adobe Reader 8.1.1Adobe Shockwave PlayerAdobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition 3.2America's ArmyApple Mobile Device SupportApple Software UpdateAptana StudioATI - Software Uninstall UtilityAVG 7.5Baldur's Gate(TM) II - Shadows of Amn(TM)CDDRV_InstallerCommand & Conquer 3Command & Conquer RenegadeCounter-Strike 1.6Dev-C++ 5 beta 9 release (4.9.9.2)Diablo IIDivX CodecDivX Content UploaderDivX ConverterDivX PlayerDivX Web PlayerDVD Shrink 3.2EasyBCD 1.6eMuleFable - The Lost ChaptersGoogle Talk (remove only)HijackThis 2.0.2IGN Download Manager 2.3.2InterActual PlayeriReboot 1.0.0iTunesJava(TM) 6 Update 2Java(TM) 6 Update 3KhalInstallWrapperLexmark X73LimeWire PRO 4.12.6Logitech Desktop MessengerLogitech SetPointMarvell Miniport DriverMicrosoft .NET Framework 1.1Microsoft MSDN 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Office Standard Edition 2003Microsoft SQL Server 2005Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (SQLEXPRESS)Microsoft SQL Server 2005 ToolsMicrosoft SQL Server Management Studio ExpressMicrosoft SQL Server Native ClientMicrosoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English)Microsoft SQL Server VSS WriterMicrosoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition - ENU Service Pack 1 (KB926747)Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition - ENU Service Pack 1 (KB926749)Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition - ENU Service Pack 1 (KB926748)Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 RedistributableMicrosoft Visual J# 2.0 Redistributable PackageMicrosoft Visual J# 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual J# 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual J# 2005 Express Edition - ENU Service Pack 1 (KB926750)Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition - ENUMicrosoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition - ENU Service Pack 1 (KB926751)Mozilla Firefox (2.0.0.9)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB927978)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB936181)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB941833)MSXML 4.0 SP2 Parser and SDKMusicmatch JukeboxOpenOffice.org 2.2PCFriendlyPowerDVDQuickTimeRealPlayerRegistry Mechanic 7.0Rhapsody Player EngineR-Studio Demo v2.0Ruby-186-26Security Update for CAPICOM (KB931906)Security Update for CAPICOM (KB931906)Sid Meier's Civilization 4Sid Meier's Civilization 4 - WarlordsSoundMAXSpeechRedistSpelling Dictionaries Support For Adobe Reader 8StarcraftSteamTweakVIUnreal Tournament 2004Update for Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition - ENU (KB932232)Update for Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition - ENU (KB932232)Update for Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition - ENU (KB932232)Update for Microsoft Visual J# 2005 Express Edition - ENU (KB932232)Update for Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition - ENU (KB932232)Virtools 3D Life PlayerWarcraft IIIWestwood Shared Internet ComponentsWindows Live OneCare safety scannerWindows Media Player Firefox PluginWinRAR archiver

Thanks for the new thread and FAQ/instructions on keeping this thread on-topic and helpful. Hope you're in management *grin* I had problems 1, 2, 3, and 6. In addition, it seemed that the creation of System Restore points FAILED more often than not. I suspect that, due to this, installing any program took hours, if it installed at all. I think that each time a system restore point was executed, the program would "hang" until the restore point creation failed and "timed out" (about five to ten minutes). Dell Inspiron 530 Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit) MOBO: Foxconn G33M (Dell-specific, modified) CPU: Pentium Core 2 Duo E6550 RAM: 3GBDDR2 800 Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT 256MB TV tuner: "ATI Unified AVStream Driver" (ATI Theater 650 Pro) Audio: Creative SB X-Fi (Platinum, Fatal1ty) Ethernet: MOBO integrated 10/100 Ethernet (Intel 82562V-2) After being unable to fix a smorgasboard of problems, I have installed Vista from scratch and am in the process of re-installing all my programs, backing up completely before installing each one (what a pain, and very time-consuming). If I encounter problems, I expect to be able to pinpoint them in this way. I'll post as I progress. Note that I DO have the "new" AOL 9.1 (next version after AOL VR) installed, with NO problems. What I have NOT yet installed and what may cause problems are: Firefox, ZoneAlarm security suite, and Symantec Norton Systemworks (yes, I know Symantec states that ZoneAlarm and Systemworks will NOT work together, but if ZA is installed AFTER Systemworks, they seem to perform fine, at least they did for a while BEFORE my problems began). If I do not encounter problems, one assumption can be that a Windows Update installation ON TOP OF one or more programs could be a root cause. In my current case, all Windows Updates prior to 11/4/07 were performed BEFORE installation of the majority of the listed programs. Note: Symantec apps like Norton AntiVirus are listed because Norton AntiVirus came semi pre-installed, but I have NOT formally installed it, nor have I removed the Symantec "pre-installation" apps that were already there yet, nor have I removed/installed some of thethe pre-installed or semi-installed Dell stuff (e.g., Norton, Roxio, Dell update/help). CURRENT PROGRAMS, NO PROBLEMS YET, ALLVISTA UPDATES PERFORMEDPRIOR TOMOST INSTALLATIONS: Adobe Flash Player ActiveXAdobe Photoshop Elements 6.0Adobe Reader 8.1.1AOL InstallAOL Uninstaller (Choose which Products to Remove)AppCoreApple Mobile Device SupportApple Software UpdateATI Parental Control & EncoderAVBrowser Address Error RedirectorccCommonCreative Audio ConsoleCreative Console LauncherCreative MediaSource 5Creative Software AutoUpdateCreative Sound Blaster PropertiesCreative System InformationCreative WaveStudio 7Dell DataSafe OnlineDell Support CenterDell System Customization WizardDellSupportEarthLink Setup FilesEPSON TWAIN 5Games, Music, & Photos LauncherGoldWave v5.22Intel(R) PRO Network Connections 12.1.11.0Intel(R) PRO Network Connections 12.1.11.0Internet Service Offers LauncheriTunesJava(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6LiveUpdate 3.2 (Symantec Corporation)Microsoft Location FinderMicrosoft Office Excel MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007Microsoft Office OneNote MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office PowerPoint MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (English) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (French) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (Spanish) 2007Microsoft Office Proofing (English) 2007Microsoft Office Shared MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Shared Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Word MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006Microsoft WorksMSRedistMSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB936181)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB941833)Norton AntiVirusNorton Confidential Browser ComponentNorton Confidential Web Protection ComponentNorton Internet SecurityNorton Internet SecurityNorton Internet SecurityNorton Internet SecurityNorton Internet SecurityNorton Internet Security (Symantec Corporation)Norton Protection CenterNVIDIA DriversOpenALProduct Documentation LauncherQuickTimeRealtek High Definition Audio DriverRetrospect 7.5Roxio Creator AudioRoxio Creator BDAV PluginRoxio Creator CopyRoxio Creator DataRoxio Creator PremierRoxio Creator ToolsRoxio EasyArchiveRoxio MyDVD PremierRoxio Update ManagerRTC Client API v1.2Security Update for CAPICOM (KB931906)Security Update for CAPICOM (KB931906)Security Update for Excel 2007 (KB936509)Security Update for Office 2007 (KB934062)Security Update for Office 2007 (KB936514)Security Update for the 2007 Microsoft Office System (KB936960)SilverFast Epson-SE 6.5.5r1SilverFast SE/SE-Plus Documentation 6.5.0Sonic Activation ModuleSound Blaster X-FiSPBBC 32bitSpelling Dictionaries Support For Adobe Reader 8Symantec Real Time Storage Protection ComponentSymNetTVT7DiagUninstall AOL Emergency Connect Utility 1.0Update for Office 2007 (KB932080)Update for Office 2007 (KB934391)Update for Office 2007 (KB934393)Update for Word 2007 (KB934173)User's GuidesViewpoint Media PlayerYahoo! Music JukeboxZoom Ethernet ADSL Modem

I'm having the exact same problem... had AIM 6.5 and Viewpoint installed and determined that AIM must had been the culprit seeing as all this started happening after I installed it... here's my list...Add or Remove Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web PremiumAdobe Anchor Service CS3Adobe Asset Services CS3Adobe Bridge CS3Adobe Bridge Start MeetingAdobe BridgeTalk Plugin CS3Adobe Camera Raw 4.0Adobe CMapsAdobe Color - Photoshop SpecificAdobe Color Common SettingsAdobe Color EU Extra SettingsAdobe Color JA Extra SettingsAdobe Color NA Recommended SettingsAdobe Creative Suite 3 Web PremiumAdobe Default Language CS3Adobe Device Central CS3Adobe Dreamweaver CS3Adobe ExtendScript Toolkit 2Adobe Extension Manager CS3Adobe Flash Player 9 ActiveXAdobe Flash Player 9 PluginAdobe Fonts AllAdobe Help Viewer CS3Adobe Illustrator CS3Adobe Linguistics CS3Adobe MotionPicture Color FilesAdobe PDF Library FilesAdobe Photoshop CS3Adobe SetupAdobe Stock Photos CS3Adobe Type SupportAdobe Update Manager CS3Adobe Version Cue CS3 ClientAdobe WAS CS3Adobe WinSoft Linguistics PluginAdobe XMP Panels CS3AHV content for Acrobat and FlashAnyDVDApple Mobile Device SupportApple Software UpdateAshampoo Burning Studio 7.10Avanquest updateCCleaner (remove only)CloneCDCloneDVD2EasyBCD 1.7FileZilla Client 3.0.2.1FrostWire 4.13.3Google Talk (remove only)HijackThis 2.0.0HP Deskjet 8.0 SoftwareHP Imaging Device Functions 8.0iReboot 1.0.0IsoBuster 2.2iTunesJava(TM) 6 Update 3Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0Microsoft Office Access MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Access Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007Microsoft Office Excel MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Groove MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Groove Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office InfoPath MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office OneNote MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Outlook MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office PowerPoint MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (English) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (French) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (Spanish) 2007Microsoft Office Proofing (English) 2007Microsoft Office Publisher MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Shared MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Shared Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Word MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Virtual PC 2007Motorola Driver InstallationMotorola Phone ToolsMozilla Firefox (2.0.0.9)Mozilla Thunderbird (2.0.0.6)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB936181)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB941833)Nero 8neroxmlPDF SettingsPicasa 2PowerISOQuickTimeRealtek High Definition Audio DriverSafariSecurity Update for CAPICOM (KB931906)Security Update for CAPICOM (KB931906)Security Update for Excel 2007 (KB936509)Security Update for Office 2007 (KB934062)Security Update for Office 2007 (KB936514)Security Update for Publisher 2007 (KB936646)Security Update for the 2007 Microsoft Office System (KB936960)Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCPTweakVIUltraISO Premium V8.63Update for Office 2007 (KB932080)Update for Office 2007 (KB934391)Update for Office 2007 (KB934393)Update for Outlook 2007 (KB937608)Update for Outlook 2007 Junk Email Filter (kb942575)Update for Word 2007 (KB934173)VCRedistSetupVideoLAN VLC media player 0.8.6cVMware WorkstationWinRAR archiver

hello, i have done a system restore so i dont have any of the problems anymore, but this is what i had...no songs would play in wmpaim sounds were there at the beginning, but dissappeared 2 days latersystem sounds still therevideos played in firefox, but like 2 fps and with no soundcalled toshiba tech support and all they told me was to do a sys restore or reinstall vistasys restore worked

Hi kirillian, I do appreciate your efforts on this issue. However, please understand that service crash issue may be caused by different factors, although the symptom is the same. Also, I am currently working on a similar issue (http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2326150&SiteID=17). If there is any update, I will let you know. Thanks. Sincerely, Joson Zhou Microsoft Online Community Support

1,2,3,4,5 32 Bit HP CIO Components InstallerActivation Assistant for the 2007 Microsoft Office suitesAdobe Flash Player ActiveXAdobe Flash Player PluginAdobe Photoshop 7.0Adobe Reader 7.0.9AIM 6APC PowerChute Personal EditionApple Software UpdateATI Catalyst Control Center ExBejeweled 2 DeluxeBigFixBitPim 1.0.0Blasterball 3CCleaner (remove only)Chuzzle DeluxeDesignPro 5.0 Limited EditionDiner DashDirect MIDI to MP3 Converter 3.0DriverMax 3.0EasyCleanereMachines Game ConsoleeMachines Recovery Center InstallerFATEGoogle DesktopGoogle EarthGoogle Toolbar for Internet ExplorerGoogle Toolbar for Internet ExplorerHijackThis 2.0.0HP Customer Participation Program 8.0HP Deskjet & Photosmart Printer Driver Software 8.0.AHP Imaging Device Functions 8.0HP Photosmart EssentialHP Solution Center 8.0HP UpdateHPSSupplyIpswitch WS_FTP Pro UninstallJava(TM) 6 Update 3Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6JEOPARDYLaserJet 1020 seriesLG USB DriversLG USB Modem driverMcAfee SecurityCenterMicrosoft Digital Image Starter Edition 2006Microsoft Location FinderMicrosoft Money 2006Microsoft Office Excel MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007Microsoft Office OneNote MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office PowerPoint MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (English) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (French) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (Spanish) 2007Microsoft Office Proofing (English) 2007Microsoft Office Shared MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Shared Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Word MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 RedistributableMicrosoft WorksMSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB927978)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB936181)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB941833)NapsterNapster Burn EngineNero SuiteOrderReminder HP LaserJet 1020Penguins!Polar BowlerPolar GolferPower2Go 5.0PrimoPDFPrimoPDF Redistribution PackageQuicken 2004QuickTimeRealtek 8139 and 8139C+ Ethernet Network Card Driver for Windows VistaRealtek High Definition Audio DriverRoofCalculator 6.4SafariSCRABBLESoft Data Fax Modem with SmartCPSwitchTextPad 4.7The Jazz Midi SequencerTightVNC 1.3.9V CAST Music Manager Viewpoint Media PlayerVirtual Earth 3D (Beta)Wal-Mart Digital Photo ManagerWal-Mart Music Downloads Store

Help Microsoft!.... This problem is easily reproduced. All of the above mentioned symptoms are experienced after the installation of AIM 6.5. Uninstalling AIM does NOT reverse the problem, but performing a system restore to before it was installed does repair it. On my other system, system restore was disabled and I ended up having to add the local services group to the administrator group which I didn't want to do, but I couldn't take the non functioning programs anymore. It's possible other program installations may cause the same issue, but it seems to be AIM above and by far. There are a handful of people in the forums complaining and begging for a true fix, but there must be 1000's of Vista/AIM users experiencing this problem. Maybe this needs to get out into the media to get some action taken. Seems like no one at Microsoftis listening. If I am wrong, please direct me to some evidence of a real fix, or evidence that some from Microsoft has acknowledged this and is committed to working on it. Thanks. EDIT: OK, I realize I am crying like everyone else right now. I did not find a fix, but after some more reading and some more testing, I found what I do believe to be a workable solution. Seems the AIM problem is happening to those like myself who had their UAC turned off. After turning it on, rebooting and installing AIM I am not having any problems. I disabled UAC afterwards and no problems. Might be a good idea to leave UAC on when installing any software, then turn it off afterwards. That's what I will be doing just in case future programs that I install encounter the same issue. We'll see how it goes from here, will most likely end up reinstalling on my other PC to close up the security issue caused by the temporary fix. Take care and God bless!

Hi, Thank you for your information. However, I still cannot reproduce the issue on my testing environment even if I turned off UAC. Thus, as I request on thread http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2326150&SiteID=17, please help to confirm if we can start Network List Service service in Safe Mode with Networking. If the issue persists in that mode, please help to collect the following information for further research: 1. System Information:======a. Click Start, type msinfo32 on the Start Search boxb. On the System Information window, click File, click Save to export the system information to a .NFO file. 2. Application and System Log:======a. Click Start, type eventvwr on the Start Search boxb. Expand Windows Logs, right-click System and Application, click Save Event As to export the system and application event log to .evtx file 3. Collect IDNA======a.Download process monitor from the following website:https://sftasia.one.microsoft.com/choosetransfer.aspx?key=1e6777af-29a2-4c1a-aa13-77eedea88215Password: 4YT^]cgqRU9yLb.Install the tool. c.Run Command Prompt as Administrators and locate to the installation folder of TTTSetup. The default location is %systemdrive%\Debuggers\tttd.Type the following commands: sc config netprofm type= own tttracer -onlaunch netprofme. After the following output appears in the command prompt, start the Network List Service to reproduce the issue Successfully created process: nirvexec.exe /quiet /duration 1 /clientname "C:\Debuggers\ttt\tttproccreatenotify.dll" /attach 624f. After the issue reproduce, uncheck the check box Tracing on on the dialog box svchost_netprofm g. Go back to the Command Prompt window, you will see a .run file generated in the folder %systemdrive%\Debuggers\ttt. Press Ctrl + C to exit. 4. After that, please put all above files to a folder, rename the folder to your account name, zip it and upload to the following space:https://sftasia.one.microsoft.com/choosetransfer.aspx?key=1e6777af-29a2-4c1a-aa13-77eedea88215Password: 4YT^]cgqRU9yL Important Note: ============= Please understand that this is actually a service crash issue, and to solidly resolve this kind of issue, it is necessary to perform debugging operation. Unfortunately debugging is beyond our support boundary in the forum. I will do my best to check the MPS report and IDNA trace to see if I can find the root cause. However, to be honest, it is almost the last troubleshooting steps we can perform in the forum. In other words, if we still cannot identify the culprit from the MPS report and IDNA trace, it is necessary to debug the crashed server and you need to contact our CSS for further troubleshooting. To obtain the phone numbers for specific technology request please take a look at the web site listed below: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;PHONENUMBERS I appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Sincerely, Joson Zhou Microsoft Online Community Support

I had the sound issue, and it all started after installing AIM 6.5 (Installed for AIM Phoneline, I usually use Miranda as my default client). Device manager showed my sound card working properly, it was also listed in the playback devices and set to default, although in the volume mixer no audio device was detected. I tried uninstalling the driver and reinstalling from WU and from the manufacturers website. None of these methods worked. I found a fix which was to add the Local Services user to the administrators group, but I opted out on that due to the major security hole that would be created. I wouldn't go as far as to reinstall Vista because, from experience, all problems are fixable with some effort. Finally, I stumbled upon ViewpointKiller (http://prm753.bchea.org/click/click.php?id=1, scroll down to the bottom) and decided to stick Vista in safe mode to make sure only first party software was running. I ran the 'killer' and choose to remove everything. When that was done, I restarted and was greeted with the Vista Orb and sounds.

Hi, I had issues 1, 2, 3,4 and 5 as well as a problem accessing any other user accont on my computer after installing AIM 6.I was going out of my mind trying to find a solution to the problem. I tried the system restore without success (kept getting a general error - oh how I love those...) and was just about to add the local services group to the admin group whenI stumbled upon easydoesit36's fix in his edit section and presto! No more red x's on my network icon, my AV/firewall software was again recognized by Windows etc. Now my only problem is having to live with AIM on my computer, but I think I can live with that (actually it was my wife who wanted the damned software installed in the first place...). So I just wanted to saycheers to easy for saving me from a long and tedious night in front of my computer. P.S. I actually needed to reboot my computer after installing AIM again for the problems to disappear. Otherwise everything worked just like easy wrote. -Kaisla

Have you tried this update that is from around 11/15/07? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941649 This resolved the frustration of this problem for me. I'm not sure if this affected you as well, but I also couldn't download Windows Updates, and received an error, "Cannot contact server....". However, I was thrilled to find out that when I clicked on "Microsoft Updates" (which updates other Microsoft Applications) on the same screenin the "You receive updates" section (you may have to install it seperatly), it connected to the server, and also picked up the Windows Updates. Horray! I rebooted, and no more Red X. My computer has a Processor and RAM again in my Computer Properties. It looks like it resolved all of my previous issues. I'm curious to try and reinstall AIM 6.5 and see what happens. I went into Manage Computer >> Local Users and Groups >> Groups and checked the Administrators group. It looks like they placed a "NT AUTHORITY\SERVICE" account in this group. This is a different service than the LOCAL SERVICE "fix" that was roaming around and opened up the security holes. It also explains why on 1 or 2 posts out there I saw a mention of the people that had the SP1 preview/beta for Vista. They probably already had this kb fix installed in some fashion. i'm doing a happy dance now :-)

Hi all,I do appreciate your time and effort on this issue. Thanks you for all the information you provided. I have collected several suggestions to share with you the troubleshooting steps for this issue. Note.: Please perform a system backup first before installing AIM. 1.Perform Windows Update==================From AmandaLynn79http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2375891&SiteID=172.Download the latest version of AIM from AOL. (In fact, you may also try to search AOL official website for a solution as they are responsible for upgrading their product and let it compatible with Windows Vista.).==================From tims10000http://forums.microsoft.com/technet/showpost.aspx?postid=2326150&siteid=17&sb=0&d=1&at=7&ft=11&tf=0&pageid=13.Turn on UAC, and reinstall AIM==================From MAndre, Lead Headhttp://forums.microsoft.com/technet/showpost.aspx?postid=2326150&siteid=17&sb=0&d=1&at=7&ft=11&tf=0&pageid=2 ------------------------------1. Uninstall AIM.2. Turn on UAC and reboot the computer.3. Download AIM again.4. Install AIM (version: 6.5.5.2). If the issue persists, after trying the above suggestions, please refer to the following workaround:=================== Add Local Service to Administrators group. From BlueShot:----------------------------------------->>Right click "Computer". >>Click "Manage".>>Under the "System Tools" section, double click "Local Users and Groups".>>Click "Groups".>>Right click "Administrators".>>Click "Add to group...".>>Click "Add".>>Click "Advanced".>>Click "Find Now".>>Double click "Local Service".>>Click "Ok".>>"NT Authority\Local Service" should show up in the list now.>>Click "Ok".>>Close Computer Management and reboot the computer.Please understand that the permission of Local Service is elevated after this workaround is performed.I will update on here once I get more information about this issue. Hope the above information is helpful.Sincerely,Joson ZhouMicrosoft Online Community Support

Hi, I have a DELL Latitude D830 with a Verizon Wireless Broadband card. Installing AIM 6.5 did all the things mentioned above. The fix for local service fixed the "Server Execution failed"... But I still have trouble with the DELL Broadband utility. The Broadband utility starts and stops right away again, I'm unable to use the Broadband connection. I uninstalled/installed the latest Utility and drivers but no luck. I will have to re-install VISTA I guess. Helmut

Running HP Media 7750N PC, Windows Vista Home Premium. Symptoms earlier this week included the infamous "server execution failed" network issue, loss of ability read/write CD/DVDs, loss of audio/video services (i.e., media players would either have error messages or simply not play media, including Windows Media Player, iTunes, and Windows Media Center (tv tuner)). What appears to have worked for me: Restored to factory installation the Vista installation. Performed all Windows Updates. Reinstalled personal third-party software. All appeared to be fine then, until use for some time. Then, suddenly, the CD/DVD drive stopped recognizing disks. I have just UNINSTALLED the recommended Microsoft update KB19649; re-booted; and, now CD/DVD drive is working fine. Not claiming this is a complete success just yet, as I would have declared success Wednesdayday after the complete system rebuild. However, I thought it might be worth sharing, as it may point Microsoft in a direction to look. It may also be something for others to check and see if it works on their systems.

Thi site has apparently discovered the problem and solution: http://www.iamdum.com/2007/11/09/connection-status-unknown-server-execution-failed/

The above solution works. From what I can tell and reproduce, I can get the connection center to open, and it seems to be working until either Norton Internet Security 2008 or AIM 6 load on startup. It will then no longer open. I wonder if Symantec had the installation of NIS08 to remove the net entry so that you would have to use their internal Norton network monitoring tool, which works fine? Unfortunately, Norton doesn't control sharing or requiring password protected sharing, it only restricts it. Anyway, all of these issues began when I installed both NIS08 and AIM6. However, it is a huge oversight on the part of Microsoft that the loss of a server's connection information (as I think I understand it works) should in any way hinder or alter the function of Windows on a client PC or the association with the ability to use the net command by a use group. The entry should have been auto-ignored once it dissappeared and should not have prevented using the UI either. I don't claim to completely understand how it all works to the T, butas much is obvious that this issue should have simply returned a one time error of "server unavailable," to which we would have said OK and never saw again. I also noticed that this issue only occured after I started he computer without network connectivity (NIC removed) too. Then it would not go away. That would seem to be, in this scenario, the inabilty of Windows to have a blank net command association when there was one before when a network connection is down but being accessed in an attempt to connect to a network anyway, where the path would then be invalid (i.e. my automatic wireless set to connect even when network card is unavailable accesses the net command and since there is no entry it fails but won't go away because it is still being re-attempted infinite times, permenantely displaying the mesage and making the problem the inability for Windows to time-out on the attempt to map a net command.)All I know is,a specialist in this field should see this, clean it up, and submit thisto Microsoft. Maybe it will help them to solve the problem with an update.

Not sure I replied to this currectly as its 1am but anyway.I have had all the same problems as most of the posters hear minus I don't have the soundbaster card.I turned UAC back onrebooted couldn't log into my account was totally black screen, switched to my wifes accountinstalled AIM from the website (which is what caused my problem 100%)shortly afterwards maybe 30 seconds my network ICON lost the X and I was able to do things nonmally again.I have since turned off UAC and took local service and service out of my admin group and everything is good.I tried the update but my computer doesn't need it.I tried the NT Authority\local service fix but didn't like the security riskwent to the NT Authority\service fix and everything worked great still didn't like doing thiscame back here and read the aim uninstall/install with UAC and everything is fixed.update: I have nothing in the admin group that shouldn't be there no LOCAL SERVICE OR SERVICE.My guess is AIM and maybe other programs for vista are expecting UAC to be on and when they don't get the prompts etc or what ever the installer is looking for well we get the issues we all have had. So my guess is either they need to stop looking for UAC or UAC has some major issue that needs to be looked into.If you want a more detail run down of what I did etc leave a post and I will but like I said in this same post in another thread its very early AM and I should be sleeping but coudn't stand the security hole I created in my computer being a security+ certified tech I shouldn't be opening my own computer to risks.

I am also sure it is AIM 6.5 that causes this problem, I restored my hard drive to a previously working condition from an acronis image I made of the C drive and then I reinstalled one program at a time and I can tell you for sure after I reinstalled AIM 6.5 and adjused all the settings and then signed off and then signed back onto AIM the red X appeared in the notification area and the network and sharing center program froze.To fix my C drive I did the following and it works perfectly now. Restored the C drive using system restore to the state prior to AIM 6.5 installationTurned on UAC through the users control panel and the computer will be restarted by the UAC changeAfter reboot Reinstalled AIM and adjusted the settingsTurned UAC off and computer restartedProblem fixed and AIM works fineThis does work try it

I've seen a number of solutions, but all seem to be just improv'd patches, not true fixes. My laptop is nearly fresh off of the line; perhaps at this point it would be better to simply reinstall Vista, and start anew?

Vista Home Premium I recently had this problem but I am using AIM 5.9.6089 and it has been installed since I loaded this pc up several months ago. So I do not think AIM is a total culprit. I have had UAC turned off for about 2 months. The first symptom I noticed was the X'ed out Network Icon. The second was Media Center telling me my TV tumer was not installed. The third was the Intel Media Server would not run. I searched for answers and could not find one so I restored to the day before I had any problems. Looked good. I turned on the PC the next morning and all the problems were back again. So I restored again and made sure virus software et al were updated and created a current restore point. Looking through recent windows updates the only one at the correct time was "Security Update for Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0 Service Pack 2 (KB936181)" Not sure this is an issue but it is the common update at time of the problems. I just wanted to add my info. Thanks JoeH

I had the same problem right after I installed AIM classic edition. I had this problem last year on my Vista laptop and now this year on my Vista Desktop. Both times I restored from a previous restore point and never had the problem again. Why hasn't Vista fixed this already? I've spent all day reading forums of other people having this problem. There has to be thousands of people with this problem. From now on, anything I install, I'll have to turn on UAC and RESTART every dang time. I used to be a really big Microsoft fan but after this... after this all I get from Microsoft is a big "we don't care."

We have streets&trips 2006 in which we have lost all color. The BestBuy Geeks tried for 24 hours to restore the color and we also tried 2008 version and still had no color. What is our next strp? Color appears to be okay in other programs.

dell computer inspiron 530 vista business 32bit purchased 8-07 not new, symptoms have been present for a long time, though no aim, firefox, or viewpoint installed. do have live messenger installed but not on. windows sidebar is on, kind of new. other main programs running are: alibre design, autocad 2000i, internet explorer, thats about it. there are several other programs installed, but not used. problems are 1,2,3, and 5

Right... I'm facing problems 1, 2, 3 and 6.HP Pavilion dv2000 (I've had this laptop for about a year.)OS: Windows Vista Home PremiumService Pack 1 (very recently installed)32-bit OSI did the "Net localgroup Administrators localservice /add" fix, then quickly deleted it after rereading the thread, and learned about the potential long-term security issue. Also, some of those patches don't seem to work for me; I'm tempted to try Amanda's suggestion, and download the patch KB941649 (This thing: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941649 ), since the other one I tried claimed I had the wrong system and kicked out on me.Erhem... I checked whether or not I had sound problems, and apparently, I do... in terms of mp3s, that is. My MIDIs work, WAVE files *must* be working properly, none of my iTunes songs are working properly and.... nor are my OGG files.... Argh!I also deleted off both AIM and Viewpoint along with "My HP Games" since that software and its associated programs, which came preinstalled on my laptop, required Viewpoint to work. Then, I deleted Viewpoint (and Wild Tangent) from my registrt. As a replacement for AIM, I am using Miranda IM 0.7.6 Unicode, and it currently has clist Nicer and TABSRMM installed as plugins.I also have Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.14 as my primary browser as opposed to IE (which I only use for certain occasions in which sites support only IE), my primary antivirus software program is my suddenly unrecognized (by Windows Security, that is) Avira Antivir Premium Edition 8.1.00.332 which replaces that annoying bulk of a program that is Norton.Understand that all these problems I have been having ("server execution failed") came randomly right after I installed Service Pack 1 from Windows Update. This has understandably, given me cause for concern. Especially after I've gotten rid of the suspected "offending programs", and rebooted about 5 times. I'm currently looking for a portable hard drive so I can save my files onto it while I do a full system restore... or downgrade. Vista has seriously left me ticked off!Also, is there any reason Windows Security suddenly dropped recognition of my antivirus program? As far as I know, it's Vista-ready. Again, that all suddenly happened soon after I got SP1.... its gotten me seriously unnerved.PROGRAM LIST:101 Clips2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1)7-Zip 4.53 betaAdobe Bridge 1.0Adobe Common File InstallerAdobe Flash Player 9 ActiveXAdobe Flash Player PluginAdobe Help Center 1.0Adobe Photoshop 6.0Adobe Photoshop CS2Adobe Reader 8.1.2Adobe Stock Photos 1.0Adobe SVG ViewerApple Mobile Device SupportApple Software UpdateAvira AntiVir PremiumConexant HD AudioDivX CodecDivX Content UploaderDivX ConverterDivX PlayerDivX Web PlayerESU for Microsoft VistaHDAUDIO Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCPHewlett-Packard Active Check for Health CheckHewlett-Packard Asset Agent for Health CheckHP Active Support LibraryHP Active Support Library 32 bit componentsHP Active Support Library 32 bit componentsHP Customer Experience EnhancementsHP Doc ViewerHP Easy Setup - FrontendHP Help and SupportHP Integrated Module with Bluetooth wireless technologyHP Pavilion Webcam Driver for Vista v061.001.00006HP Quick Launch Buttons 6.10 B9HP QuickPlay 3.2HP Total Care AdvisorHP UpdateHP User Guides 0083HP Wireless AssistantHPNetworkAssistantIntel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator DriverIntel(R) Network Connections DriversiTunesJava(TM) 6 Update 2Java(TM) 6 Update 3Java(TM) 6 Update 5Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6Microsoft Office Excel MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007Microsoft Office OneNote MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office PowerPoint MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (English) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (French) 2007Microsoft Office Proof (Spanish) 2007Microsoft Office Proofing (English) 2007Microsoft Office Shared MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Shared Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2007Microsoft Office Word MUI (English) 2007Microsoft SilverlightMicrosoft Visual C++ 2005 RedistributableMicrosoft WorksMiranda IM 0.7.6Mozilla Firefox (2.0.0.14)MSCU for Microsoft VistaMSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB927978)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB936181)MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB941833)NetWaitingoggcodecs 0.71.0946QuickTimeRhapsody Player EngineRoxio Activation ModuleSecurity Update for CAPICOM (KB931906)Security Update for CAPICOM (KB931906)Security Update for Excel 2007 (KB946974)Security Update for Microsoft Office system 2007 (KB951808)Security Update for Microsoft Office Word 2007 (KB950113)Security Update for Office 2007 (KB947801)Security Update for Visio 2007 (KB947590)SmartUndeleteSynaptics Pointing Device DriverUpdate for Office 2007 (KB946691)Windows Media Player Firefox PluginYahoo! Toolbar for Internet Explorer

I had the sound problems, the red X on my network icon, and the lack of system information display. I've never installed AIM on this machine. As most of you in this thread probably know, the solutions involving Local Services are a big security risk.If you want a solution without the big security hole, use the one posted here:http://www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server-2.html#post989337This solution as posted by Todd9774 worked for me and does not involve messing with Local Services. I was pointed to this solution by reading Edward77's thread here. And I quote:_____________________________________________ 1. Back up registry 2. Install SubinACL http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e8ba3e56-d8fe-4a91-93cf-ed6985e3927b&displaylang=en 3. Run the following commands in sequence subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f subinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose 4. Reboot____________________________________________For the clueless: The place you run the commands is in a command window. Open the command window by typing CMD into the start menu search box. It might take a while for each command to run, and you will see a lot of scary scrolling system messages and a red status bar. Do not freak out.Your Mileage May Vary, but I'm delighted to have found this.

kirillian wrote: This thread is here to attempt and solve the issues surrounding the x-ed out connection icon in the system tray and the many related/concurrent (part of the problem is deciding which issues are caused by what) problems that has happened to many vista users. Some of the suggested causes of the problems so far have been: -AIM (versions 5.9+) (seems to be by far the most popular program to blame, but not everyone has had this program installed) -Viewpoint (installed with AIM...once again, not everyone has had this) -Firefox2 (I don't know whether or not everyone has had this or not, but I read it quite a bit) -various anti-virus programs (this seems the most illogical of all because antivirus programs are quite common-place and I know many people who have these programs and have no issues...I myself had no issues for months) The most common symptoms seem to be: * - these seem to be the definitive issues. All of the other issues either seem to be side-effects (at least, it looks that way) or are not common to all situations and, therefore, may be caused by something else. *-1 - an x-ed out connection icon in the system tray *-2 - the network and connection center freezes upon loading (loading takes a long time also) *-3 - the internet can be accessed just fine *-4 - the Network List Service is not running even though it is set to Automatic and cannot be started (upon trying to start it, you receive the following: Error 1450: Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service. -5 - When clicking on -Start Menu, and right-clicking on -Computer, then selecting -Properties, the system rating is blank (or appears briefly and then disappears). (On my system, it says that the processor and memory are Not Available...does anyone else have this also?) -6 - Some people have problems with sound, and/or playing mp3s or other audio (if you have this problem, please write a more detailed explanation of the symptoms so that I can edit this to be more accurate). -If there are any other symptoms, please post so that I can gather a more complete list of the issues IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING: The main purpose of this thread is to try and figure out what this problem is. To this end, I will try and compile all of the postings as best I can every night or every couple (I have a life outside of my computer, but I will try) so that we can try and pinpoint the issue. -The first thing that I think we should try and keep track of (since it was already tried, but people stopped posting their information) is programs that people have installed. Whenever you post, please leave a list of the programs you have installed. A very useful program for this is HijackThis. It is a program intended to help diagnose and correct problems with your computer. You can get a scan of everything running if you desire(which we may need to try doing eventually, but first, I think we should just try installed programs since we don't know much about the issue). -Use HijackThis or some other such program and create a list of your programs to post here. To use HijackThis, download it from one of the following sites: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download5554.htmlhttp://www.merijn.org/files/HiJackThis_v2.exehttp://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/threat_analytics/hijackthis.php once downloaded, run HijackThis.exe -click on the <open misc tool section> button -select the <Open Uninstall Manager...> button -select <Save list...> -save the list somewhere on your computer (where you can find it if you want to look at it later) and press <save> -Notepad should pop up with a list of all your installed programs. Copy that into your post. -The next most important thing is to list what symptoms you have EXACTLY. If the symptom is already listed, go ahead and mention it (I added numbers to the symptoms so you can just abbreviate). IF YOU HAVE A NEW SYMPTOM OR ONE OF THE MAIN FOUR SYMPTOMS IS NOT PRESENT ON YOUR MACHINE, MAKE SURE YOU MAKE IT A POINT TO MENTION THAT!!!! We're trying to solve this problem, please help as much as you can. Also, if any Microsoft tech's are reading this, if there is a way for one of you to administrate this thread (and maybe delete posts as I compile them into a helpful format, or even make the thread sticky or something to help out this effort would be appreciated).

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