I have recieved Windows Vista Business edition as part of my college's MSDNAA program. I am having a problem which pops up every now and again, though I think I am beginning to narrow down its causes.At some point the network icon will go off - it will display me as disconnected. Holding my mouse over it the popup says "connection status: unknown server execution failed". At the same time with that, my windows experience index will stop appearing in windows' system properties window, the network center freezes, my ATI driver's control app refuses to start, and if I change my sound driver the sound icon goes dead aswell. Also, if I try to install windows by repairing my current installation it will freeze at 52%. The problem is only reversable via system restore.The network itself works fine, as does the sound. The problems seem completly unrelated and are actually pointing to something more complex than simply a network problem. However, I have noticed it happen under curious circumstances: after using yahoo messenger for a while it happens. After the issue is reversed via system restore if yahoo is started up again, explorer will freeze for a few seconds, then the problem will strike again. I have uninstalled yahoo and deleted its leftover program files, appdata files, programdata files, and registry entries. The problem was fixed. I blamed it on using a modified version called yahoo multi messenger because I needed to be online on 2 accounts at the same time. Back then I didn't know I could fix my problem with SR so I just reinstalled all of windows from scratch.Then a few days ago I installed trillian to use it as a substitute for yahoo. I had no problems at first. Then as I left 2 yahoo accounts run at once a few hours ago, it struck again. System restore repaired it again.I am currently interested in why this problem is occuring and what server execution failed is supposed to be because my network works just fine, but part of windows doesn't know that it is, and why it will mess up just so much of my system. If there are any ways to debug or troubleshoot this I am willing to go as deep into windows' infrastructure as it takes because it is a highly frustrating problem. Also, if you require any additional information about my hardware/software configuration I will gladly offer.Thank you in advance.

Yes, I'm having the same problem can someone please help. But, I think my problem may be from AIM instead of yahoo, but I'm not sure. I'm checking it out as I type.

In reply to you, I have taken y problem to tech support. I have AIM too, turns out the culprit was the latest version of AIM -- 5.9.6-something, do a system restore, uninstall it, install 5.9.3 or older, they'll work. My problem has been fixed.

I have the same issue with Vista Ultimate.I think MSN 8.1 screwed mine. When i view "network and sharing centre" the first line under the title reads"unknown - Server execution failed"Once that happens i am screwed and need to reboot the machine to get it working again.I have to admit Vista is RIDDLED with bugs througout and i have found a lot, plus its only 3 months old!In my event logs i receive this message"The Network List Service service terminated with the following error: Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service."I know for a fact that is wrong as i have over 1.2GB of memory and am about to upgrade to 2GB.Wait for SP1 as Vista really isn't ready!

I am having the same problem, I also have Vista Business Edition from MSDNAA, I don't wanna restore my OS.

I am having the same exact problem. This is ridiculous, wonder how long this will take to get addressed.

Good! I am not alone! Here is what happened... One day, after restarting on feb 1st, after installing a round of microsoft updates it happened to me... I first noticed it as the network icon with a red 'X'... then i noticed i also couldn't MSTSC.exe into my vista computer that was having this issue... I assumed network, then as i progressed I noticed the system information tool (msinfo32.exe) couldn't "collect information" so that pointed me to the windows management information service - which is running just fine (as per the logs and service status). I started to explore 'access' restrictions, disabling all the firewalls...etc. I think it might just be the information service is blocked by programs that want to access it... Oh, restoring the system to an earlier date didn't fix the problem either. Oh well... Can't wait to figure this one out.. i've tried everything! update... The Sidebar module that shows current network status works fine... Leading more to believe there's an access issue between some windows apps and the information service... hmm! more possible problems... I tried creating a new account on the machine (guest, standard user, and admin user) and none of them would work after trying to login with the new account. The desktop would take about a minute to come up and when it did, it would have a 'windows mail' loader error on MSOE.dll failed to initialize, and then explorer didn't start--- I couldn't even start explorer.exe from the ask manager!! (other simple apps started like notepad... but not the vitals!!)

A question for those complaining about the problem above:Does your network still work normally even though the network appears disconnected?There might actually be other programs not just AIM 5.9.6089 which cause this problem.But whatever the cause, using system restore to a time before the problem had occurred is most likely to solve the problem. However, starting the application which originally caused the problem will bring it back again.If you are interested in learning more about your problem, you may reproduce it to observe it better.I don't know about other programs, but the problem itself can be quite decieving. It doesn't necessarily occur at the very moment of connection. Mine happened only when 2 or more other messengers were working at once, and once it was triggered by the browser too.In all cases the interface(all, not just explorer), would freeze for a couple of seconds when the problem struck.I want to ask you all one question: when you open up system properties, does your rating(windows experience index) still appear normally? In my case it wouldn't display it.As for Vista bugs, the only real bugs I've found were explorer file names disappearing from a folder and windows defender's options being able to scroll up into infinity. The problem in question is most likely a compatibility issue, not a bug.

Yea, I just noticed this problem as well. AIM 5.9 no longer starts, but i could get it to start by closing all the svchost.exe that were network services. But then I could not start Firefox or IE, it would restart my computer. My rating doest appear either

Experience index does not display, correct. I tried restoring with no luck! I noticed this in the 'WMI Control Properties' under computer management -> services & applications -> "WMI Control Properties" the information box on that properties screen under ('more actions') says: Failed to initialize all required WMI classes. Win32_Processor: Win32: Access is denied Win32_WMISetting: Successful Security information: Successful Win32_OperatingSystem: Win32: Access is denied i'll investigate further...

After hosing wmi, attempting a bunch of random old windows XP fixes for it... i'm back to square 1 minus 1... now the WMI control properties says: Win32_Processor: <Null>: No such interface supported (same for win32_operatingsystem) investigating this... i've tried reregistering the dll several times...

Yes, I also noticed the experience index doesn't show, the network works fine for me as I am using it right now, but it always has that red X over it, it's been like this since maybe the second day I had it, which was probably around January 28th. I think we need a fix for this ASAP.

I also can not play any media files. avi mp3 etc...

Same problem here too Rcunn87... What kind of systems are you all running? I'm running a Dell E1505 w/ nvidia 2go, wi-fi.. yeah all that.. Let's get to the bottom of this!!

I can still use AIM and play media files, I just hope it doesn't get progressively worse, cause right now I'm having a lot of network failures I have to restart all the time although messengers keep working, websites stop loading, even when I try to go to the administration panel of my router

Well Aim 5.9 didn't work, I upgraded to 6 and that seems to be fine. I did a system restore last night and everything seemed fine until I woke up and I am back to where I was. My system is a HP P4 Northwood 2.8 w/HT, I have a ATI R. 9800XT, X-Fi Platinum, Sony Dvd writter, and a logitech mouse. All of those have some sort of driver except the Dvd writter. Should i post the programs i have installed?

I'm getting the same exact error. I am running Microsoft Vista Business from the MSDNAA program. Network and Sharing Center is slow to load and freezes. Network icon shows I'm disconnected even though I am connected and also list the error:Connection Status: UnknownServer Execution FailedI tried to install a 5.9.3 of AIM instead of 5.9.6 and this did not solve my problem. I tried contacting customer service at Microsoft and they helped me narrow it down to this problem:Go to Start and in the search, type "Services" - Click on services and find the service called "Network List Service." This was not started on my machine. When I tried to start it, it told me the following:Error 1450 Insufficient Resources ExistThis cannot be possible since my task manager is showing plenty of memory and processor power available. I also am running a Dell e1705 with an Intel 2.16 Core 2 Duo Processor with 2 Gigs of RAM.Microsoft really needs to patch this.

Yeah, I gave up. I tried everything, even went as far as uninstalling most of my development tools (VS2005, SQL Server 2005) and still nothing. Browsing the network took an insane amount of time, at work, I had to exclude my static network IP from the DHCP range since Vista wouldn't let me access the Network Connections section without a freeze of that window. I am really disappointed. Once the pretty eyecandy wears off, we seem to be left with a system that excessivelyconstrains and limits what we can do coupled with a lot of instability. It's back to XP for me. I'll take another look at Vista in a year. Maybe.

I have the same problem with the connection status unknown and server execution failed. When I go into networks or sharing, most of the time it doesn't even load anymore or freezes. My ATI Control Center also doesn't start anymore and thats a pain in the *** because I need to use it. Everything else seems to work ok, like AIM and Windows Live Messenger. I can play media files fine, some .avi files don't play for some reason. They play in Windows XP though. I wrote a trouble ticket into ATI about the control panel not starting to see if they have any ideas on how to fix it and they never responded back yet, it has been over a week. I guess the only thing to do is to reinstall Vista or go back to XP.

Yeah this is all so interesting, I'm just glad we are all having a comparable problem. To everyone: what does your WMI control panel say? computer management -> services & applications -> WMI control snapin, under 'more actions' on the right hit 'properties' and post what error it is you are having... mine says 'access denied'. This tells me that there are some definite security measures occuring that shouldn't be. I've been messing with the local security policy a bit trying to remove all limits and restrictions just to see if i can find out what is getting blocked, because it's obviously something is being blocked from accessing resources.... including some of these services (such as that network list service) -j

Yea mine does the same thing for processor and OS

It says. Failed to initialize all required WMI classes. Win32_Processor: Win32: Access is denied. Win32_WMISetting: Successful Security information: Successful Win32_OperatingSystem: Win32: Access is denied.

Mine says the exact same thing in the WMI Snap In Properties: Failed to initialize all required WMI classes. Win32_Processor: Win32: Access is denied. Win32_WMISetting: Successful Security information: Successful Win32_OperatingSystem: Win32: Access is denied.Help us Microsoft

I researched on google. And found this website http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.win32.programmer.wmi/msg/1da6ab3690bc75a0 but its only for Windows XP, also some people had success by typing in these: regsvr32 %windir%\system32\atl.dllregsvr32 %windir%\system32\netshell.dllregsvr32 %windir%\system32\hnetcfg.dllregsvr32 %windir%\system32\netcfgx.dllregsvr32 %windir%\system32\netman.dll but that didn't help me, the hnetcfg.dll failed, but all the others succeeded. Do anybody have a wireless card installed? If so what kind?

I just tried that exact same thing. I got the same result:hnetcfg.dll failedMy wireless card is built in

Is it an SMC by anychance? or have SMC Wireless utility installed?

I dont have any wireless card installed. What programs do you have installed? I haveAdobe Flash 9 ActiveXAdobe Reader 8Aim 6.0Aim 5.9Ati Catalyst Install ManengerAzureusCreative Audio ConsoleCreative Audio Processing Object ModuleDivX CodecDivC Content UploaderDivX ConverterDivX PlayerDivX WebplaerJava SDK 6.0Java RE 6.0Office 2007 pro trialMicrosoft Visual C++ 2005 RedistributableFireFox 2.0.0.1OpenAlVLC 0.8.6aViewpoint Media

I'm using an Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection

I have : IC Card Reader Driver v1.8e2 A+ 2006 Demo Adobe Flash Player 9 ActiveX Adobe Photoshop CS2 Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 Adobe Reader 8 AIM 6.0 Apple Software Update ATI Catalyst Install Manager Audacity 1.2.6 Audacity 1.3.2 Audio/Video To Wav Converter version 1.0.3 Auto Gordian Knot 2.27 AVIcodec AviSynth 2.5 BitComet 0.70 BitPim 0.9.07 BlueJ 2.1.3 Codec Pack - All In 1 6.0.3.0 Cool MP3 Splitter 2.2 Deer Hunter 4 Deer Hunter 2004 DVD43 v3.9.0 DVD Decrypter EA Sports online 2007 Far Cry FEARCombat FIFA 2007 GameSpy Arcade GrabIt 1.6.2 Beta Indeo Software iTunes J2SE Development Kit 5.0 Update 4 J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 4 Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6 Lexmark 730 Series LimeWire PRO 4.13.0 Logitech QuickCam Logitech Camera Driver LogMeIn Madden 2007 Magic ISO Maker v4.8 MailWasher Pro Medieval II Total War Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003 Microsoft Office OneNote 2007 Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable MP4 Converter 3 MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB927978) MSXML 4.0 SP@ Parser and SDK Nero 7 Ultra Edition NetBeans IDE 5.5 NHL 2007 palmOne Paltalk Messenger PowerISO QuickPar 0.9 QuickTime Realtek High Definition Audio Driver Return to Castle Wolfenstein Samsung USB Driver (MCCI 4.34) WHQL v3.0 Skype 3.0 SnagIt 7 Test Drive Unlimited PUBLIC Beta Trophy Bass 2007 Ultra ISO V6.56 SR-2 Ventrilo Client VobSub v2.23 Windows LIve Messenger WinFast PVR WinRar Xvid 1.1.2 xVid MPEG4 Video Codec Yahoo Messenger

Out of your programs that you listed, I also have installed:Adobe Reader 8Aim 5.9AzureusDivX CodecDivC Content UploaderDivX ConverterDivX PlayerDivX WebplaerFireFox 2.0.0.1VLC 0.8.6aViewpoint Media

oh yea i did have itunes installed but i got rid of it to see if that fixed anything

So are we ever getting this fixed? It's been almost a week already...

I had the problem for over a week, I searched but there was nothing about it, so I thought I was the only person with the problem. Until, I searched today and found this forum.

I was talking to someone from microsoft for 3-4 hours earlier and got no where

Hmph. I just got this error 2day. It says Server Execution Failed. As soon as it said that, i also could not play any media what-so ever in any media playing application, including windows media center recorded tv. I hope that it is resolved soon.

Good, the more people that have this problem the more exposure we'll get in finding a fix... in the meantime, keep tinkering with the computer management settings! I too have tried all the winXP fixes for WMI, no dice!!!

This is to my last post about having no media playing what-so ever. I actually just fixed it and got all media working by going to device manager and windows vista had a pop up dialog box saying something was wrong and it asked me if i wanted to disable it. So i did and now i can run all media again. But i still have the "Server Execution Failed" error. I also understand what caused my sound device to go all wrong and not be able to play media. If i ran a program that was designed for xp, it would give me a fatal error about direct sound.

I originally had media playback problems too....interesting. I fixed it but I wonder if that has to do with our current problem at all?

Okay, I have a question for all. I got pissed that I couldn't listen to music so I installed Xp Pro on my second harddrive and now it dosen't ask what I want to boot into. Is there any way to fix this?

not sure Rcunn,, sounds like another problem for another forum, but try the start->run-> msconfig and click on the boot tab and see if you can modify the boot settings there. ryan, how did you get media playback to start working again? i still can't get mine to work... -j

I installed all the Vista drivers from the Dell.com site for my graphics card and audio card when i installed Vista. Turns out, the Vista drivers weren't needed and the XP ones were the ones that worked. There was a small line on the vista drivers page that said "You may not need to upgrade your driver to this driver. Windows XP drivers may work in some cases" or something like that. So i uninstalled all of my devices in Device Manager and reinstalled them with the proper drivers. Also make sure to get the proper codecs like DivX, XviD, AC3 Filter, etc.

Amazing Nittany, thanks for that. I got my media player working again! Now back to the issue at hand. I think the reason for the red X network icon is the network list service won't start. At least, that's what provides the information to it. I simply can't get it to start due to an error on service start... Does anyone know how to debug this or enable more verbose logging of it so that we can get a better hint of what's going on inside of it? Thanks! -j

Same happens to me. I'm using my Wireless Internet. My internet randomly disconnects with the red x on my wireless. I get the "Server Execution Failed" error. I have to right click the X. It takes about a minute for the options to appear. I click open networks. Takes another minutes. I click disconnect. Goes right away. And I press Connect to another network. Takes another minute. Finally I can re connect again. But it keeps happening and it's driving me nuts. I don't know why it started.I'm using Windows Vista Business... Standard programs. Anything yet guys?

I had this problem too and was hoping there would be an answer here. This is how I fixed the media playback issue that seems to be half of this problem... System restore worked the first time this happened but not the second. I remembered that there was some compatibility warning for my Creative Audigy 2 sound card game port. So I disabled the game port and the sound card in device manager. At that point I could once again play MPEGs... so I knew the card was to blame. I reinstalled the driver package from Creative and rebooted. At this point my machine did not have the audio driver installed at all. I let windows search for a driver and it found the Audigy WDM. Now I have media playback again. This is pretty typical of Creative. When XP came out it was a full 6 months before I had a stable system because of my Creative card. I still have the "Server execution failed" message and the red X.

I'm just wondering if we'll ever get a fix.

To Microsoft:Here are the specs: -Windows Vista Business Edition (seemingly) -Network List Service (netprofm) will not start -Network Task Bar Icon is slow or unresponsive -Network and Sharing Center is slow or unresponsiveThere ya go. Fix it.

Does anyone else have UAC turned off? I have it turned off and Security Alerts too, every time I go to the Security Center I have to attempt to turn on everything Firewall works fine, and Automatic Updating, but when I go to Malware Protection, it doesn't seem to know I have Windows Live OneCare installed, Windows Defender is off and when I try to turn it on it just updates definitions but doesn't turn on.

I'm with you guys on this one.Network List Service is set to Automatic,however it is not running.When attempting to run it I get the Error 1450 with the whole insufficient memory speech.Same red X in the system tray though clearly I'm on a network and using the internet else I wouldn't be able to post this reply :)Vista is still young.. let's hope for a patch up soon.

I'm in as well - same issues. I have nothing further to add - but I figure the more complaints, the better right? Please Microsoft - fix it fast. This is my laptop for work and I'm *this* close to having to go back to XP.....

I have the same problem after upgrading from XP. Persistent red X on the network icon in the systray and Vista telling me it doesn't see any networks although I can see all the boxes connected to the network. I can't change network type from public to private, or do anything with respect to network control, because when I go into the Network and Sharing app, the app freezes. The only way out of the app is through Task Manager. Anyone else see this behavior?

I also noticed that in my computer properties, it displays my processor and my Memory (ram) as 'unavailable'. Is anybody else experiencing this? they might be linked to the "server execution failed" error.

Mine is listed as unavailable too.

Same here.

Interesting, does anyone else here have a tv tuner card? Mine stopped working the day i received the error. Idk, maybe its just my pc.

Crex, This is because the WMI service doesn't have access to the WIN32_processor and Win32_OperatingSystem classes for the information service. Computer Management -> Services and Applications -> WMI Control -> (right menut) more actions-> properties... and you'll see the error. This indeed started to occur the same time as the network issues we were seeing, and are by all means - related.

I had the same problems as everyone: server excecution failure, couldn't play audio files which all happened seemingly randomly. I was browsing the intarweb and listening to a song, then all of a sudden the next song won't start and wmp is jumping down the playlist like there's a fire or something. I simply did a windows restore to this morning (most recent restore point) and everything seems to be working fine. windows update wasn't scheduled to run at the time this issue occurred, and i wasn't installing any new software. because our issues started at different times, i doubt the issue has to do with a bad update. because most of us seem to be running wireless, i believe this might be the issue...an internal error detector that changes the state of the software to something unacceptable and saves this to memory so it starts up with the same issue. then, because of the media sharing ***, media player determines that because the internet connection is behaving illegally, the music/media might be being illegally used (somehow); and therefor disables playback. now- that's all conjecture, but one thing is true: system restore fixed the symptoms for me for now.

system restore is not an option, and I'm sure it will break again in the future

well a long with this problem, now my AIM stopped working.. Tried to reinstall it, still doesn't work, I get A server error occured when trying to sign on. This is starting to really piss me off, I'm going to go back to windows xp soon.

the only aim that will work is 5.9, earlier verions don't work, and 6.0 doesn't work anymore.

Although I can't view my RAM or processor information in Computer properties, that information is displayed on my Welcome Center. Is that the case with everyone else?

Yes ryan, I too can see my processor and ram information on the welcome center screen. Probably because this doesn't poll the WMI to get the information.

It's rather frustrating that we can't get a fix even when we're posting on Microsoft forums. Has anyone tried reinstalling WMI? I don't know how to do it so I know it was possible in XP, I think we should try it .... if anyone can figure out how to do it

I'm having the same issue. I first noticed a problem with Vista when I tried to load my "Net2Phone" software, the window did not load correctly. Then someone tried to send me a simple audio clip through Live Messenger and it would not play, Messenger closed with an error. Later, my wireless connection stopped and when it restarted the icon had a red X over it in the task bar. The usual "Connection Unknown, Server execution failed" message appears. I HAD NOT MADE ANY CHANGES OR INSTALLED ANY SOFTWARE FOR SEVERAL DAYS, but yet the problem suddenly appeared. I thought I might be able to do a System Restore to an earlier point, but for some odd reason my System Restore had NO RESTORE POINTS!! I have 27gb open on my HD, I did not turn Restore off, but yet all of my previous restore points were gone. I uninstalled everything I had installed through 2/1, including Norton A/V, Novell Client Preview and Dell QuickSet but it didnt have any effect. I also went back further and uninstalled AIM Messenger but that had no effect either. I will say that AIM worked earlier in the day but after the problem appeared it would no longer work. I did notice that the Viewpoint Media Player had been installed by AIM earlier in the day, even though I had installed AIM in December. Had to jump through hoops to uninstall that program because I kept getting the error message that I had to be logged in as an Administrator, even though I am the only user and I have Admin rights. This is an annoying problem that makes NO SENSE!It's like it came from NO WHERE and for NO REASON! When might the great Vista God give us a fix?!?! I had been warned of many problems with Vista during development by someone "higher up" on their beta team. Apparently MS would receive bug reports like this but simply write them off as "unable to replicate" and move on, completely ignoring the issue in order to get the product available for RTM status as quickly as possible. I didn't believe this person at first, but now I do.

I'm just going to reinstall Vista again, even though the same problem will probably happen again.

I am having the same problems. Brand new HP laptop - 1 week old. Everything worked fine until i noticed MS Outlook was being a little weird. Rebooted, fixed my Outlook problem, but i could not listen to music/movies/media - seemed to happen out of nowhere. Then i noticed the red x and the same error messages you are all receiving. The network situation sucks and it needs to be fixed, but in the meantime i still cannot get any media playback. I am still getting errors in every application i try to use to play MP3s. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the sound card but i continue to get the same error. Any other ways anyone has resolved this problem so i can at least listen to my music while i'm miserable with the rest of vista?

There still doesnt seem to be a "fix", an no acknowledgment from MS either that a problem exists. It seems to be becoming more widespread and there's no rhyme or reason as to why the problem occurs, except that the basic symptoms are all the same... No Network Sharing Center functionality, No Sound and No Processor or Memory acknowledged from Computer-Properties window, amongst a few others. Hopefully there will be fix sometime soon. THIS IS GETTING VERY ANNOYING!!!

Just an update. I tried doing an in place upgrade to cure the red X and malfunctioning WMI but it failed maybe 3/4 of the way through. I also removed and reinstalled all of my network adapters (the real ones and the virtual ones), removed my antivirus and removed my IM programs, all to no avail. I don't have a wireless card. I do still have my restored ability to play media files since I reinstalled the audio card drivers. Another note, the system restore worked the first time, fixing both the network and multimedia problems, but the second time it did nothing, even though I restored to the same point both times.

Back again..Yea, I also felt the media playing death/plague and random system performance attributes disappearing from the System Properties in addition to the norm.The blame for most of my damage is attributed to instant messenger programs-AIM, Yahoo, Windows Live, GoogleTalk...My VAIO was less than a week old when this all started, but I was able to roll back with system restore just fine. Using AIM 6.0 instead now and so for no issues. Kinda sad that Windows Messenger isn't even compatible with it's native OS.. sigh.

Same problems here except I can still play media files. I don't think this is as much of a Vista issue as it is a bug with the way third-party apps work. Something between them obviously got ****ed up during the development process. At this point it seems any instant messenger program that uses those protocols is causing this issue. My specs are as follows:Mid to Late 2005 Dell Dimension 3000/Xoxide X-Ventilator HybridMicrosoft Windows Vista Ultimate 32-Bit Edition Retail/Full512MB Dell Standard PC3200 RAM @ 333MHzIntel Pentium 4 Socket 478 @ 2.8GHz (Single Core/No HyperThreading Technology)Integrated Dell/Intel 10/100 EthernetVisionTek/ATI Radeon X1300 PCI Graphics CardDell-Custom Intel Board, Chipset base currently unknown/forgottenAT&T High Speed Internet (Best Plan @ 6.0MBPS) With 2Wire HomePortal 2700HG-B With Built-In Wired/Wireless Router, Connected Via 10/100-Base Ethernet, (Using 100-Base).Normally I wouldn't be so detailed but since the real cause of this is still unknown, and because there's such a broad choice of possibilities as to why we get this error, all the information we can attain on it helps MicroSoft and the third-parties find a plausible solution.My recommendation is do not use any instant messengers or download them. This probably only seems to occur on full/clean installs of Vista so far. My friend who did an upgrade install from Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition (Most Recent Version) hasn't had this problem...of course the apps were already installed at the time too...

FireFox 2ViewPointAdobeAIMI'm guessing it's down to the IM systems or FireFox then.Does anyone here not have either of those installed? If so, then we're looking in the wrong place.

I reinstalled vista on friday. Everything is working so far. I have AIM 6, Windows Live Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger 8.1 installed and seems to be fine so far. I also got MouseWare 9.0 from logitech to install for my mouse because the bastards didn't release a Vista version because they want us to go out and buy their new laser mice that are like $60 or more.

One common "thread" I've seen with most of the users having this issue is AOL/AIM Messenger. I too had installed AIM in December when I installed Vista, but had only used it ONE TIME until 2 days before the Network issue started on my machine. And, my list of Installed Programs showed that theViewpoint Media Player been installed on the VERY DAY that the issue started. That is a media player that AIM installs, but had apparently not been installed until I used AIM that day. Note that I DID NOT install it myself. I really think AIM is at least one of the major causes. I've always said that AOL Software was the worst in the world, so I'm not surprised. I like the AOL service for its content, but I refuse to install the software because of all the extra poop it forces you to install along with it. Lastly, I also did a complete reinstall of Vista on a formatted HD and so far it's working great again. But I will not install any software that's not specifically Vista compatible until this issue is fixed.

New here myself. So far this is the ONLY place I've been able to find this issue. I've had all the issues described in this thread (with the exception of playing audio and video). Likewise, I have Vista Business via MSDNAA with the college that I work at (we are currently testing Vista and learning its... quirks).Still no solution for me. I'm actually quite far more interested in the cause. Adobe 8Firefox 2 AIM 5.9.3NX ClientThese were the ONLY programs installed before this issue began. Can anyone verify independently if the culprit is Firefox 2 or AIM? I haven't seen this in a 64-bit version... YET.A little background as well:During the time before my network connectivity had its little red X enter my life, I was having network issues where I would not be able to ping or get outside of a subnet on my network. HOWEVER, if I was already connected to a web page or application that was beyond it, those connections remained active. If I tried to repair the connection, the system would blue screen and reboot on me. At least, until I'm in the final state the rest of us are in.Anyone have similar experiences?

Interesting...it has to be IM or FireFox related then. Any chance that FireFox's default browser settings could have modified or corrupted the network service settings?The IM programs may have done this as well with their protocols, which are probably incompatible with Vista.

I'm having this issue as well using Vista Home Premium 32-Bit on a Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop. I'm not exactly sure when the issue started but i originally noticed it yesterday. I had AIM 6.0 installed. Uninstalled that and that didn't change anything. I've never had Firefox on this computer. I'm trying to uninstall viewpoint media player and i'm getting an error about i must be logged in as an administrator to do this. I'm logged in under the only user account i have on this computer, which is the administrator. Don't know if that's related or not. Oh well, i still haven't decided if i want to re-install Vista or go back to XP until this issue is resolved.

It seems we have narrowed the issue down to the IM programs, specifically AIM and it's ViewPoint Media Player. Is there anyone at all who has gotten this error and does NOT have AIM or ViewPoint Media Player installed?

All of you need to see the "common thread" that seems to be the issue... AIM MESSENGER!!! You can uninstall until you're blue in the face, but nothing will solve the problem once it appears until you completely Reinstall Vista on a formatted drive. When you've done this, DO NOT install AIM or AOL! I'm telling ya, this is the problem. I DID NOT have this issue until I started using AIM with Vista! While I did have it on my computer for a while before the problem began, I didnt use it. Within 2 days of using it, the problem started. And the Viewpoint Media Player from AIM installed itself the VERY DAY that the problem reared its ugly head. I might not be a Vista expert, but common sense says AIM is the likely cause. Note: Viewpoint wont uninstall properly because it's not Vista compatible yet. I had the same issue.

A reinstall is not necessary. Obviously it's registry/service-related. All we need is a patch...but it may be a matter of time until one is developed.

I'm not so sure about just a patch. After the problem occured, I compared my Vista install to a spacecraft in a decaying orbit. With every restart and each day other issues showed up. It was like the install was slowly decaying, piece by piece. I'm not exagerating. I would have loved to wait for a patch, but I could not risk a crash and losing information. And since this is the only place in the known Universe where the issue is being addressed, God only knows how long it will take for a fix from whoever. Regardless, the only fix right now is to reinstall Vista. I don't believe installing OVER a current install will necessarily work, that's why I recommend a complete new install. Has anyone bothered sending a link to this forum thread to AOL techs or their 6.0 Beta Team?

Well I'm speaking of the type of patch where it would not only prevent the issue, but fix it as well...sorta like a hotfix.

I just went to the AIM Beta Testers Chit Chat on AOL and posted a thread with a link back to TechNet. Hopefully AOL will be made aware of the issue if they're not already.

even if AOL is made aware of the issue, it's Microsoft that has been neglecting our claims for the past month and a half...

I had the same problem and I've NEVER had AIM or Viewpoint installed on the machine. I ended up reinstalling Vista, for the THIRD time, and slowly reinstalling all my applications to see if one of them was suspect. So far, everything works...but it may only be a matter of time. Somebody at Microsoft should take this seriously. Reinstalling the OS isn't much of fix.

I think I'll reinstall and try to duplicate the error. At least that way I can track down exactly what program is causing it. I believe it's AIM as well. Now I'm going to find out.Watch everything work this time. :P

Although, I just realized that I did have ANOTHER program installed. Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition 10. I throw that out there in case it's another common program we are all using....

I to have an E1505.... I have not yet tried to uninstall aim 6.x or viewpoint media player. However if you want to get rid of the administrator nag screens go to control panel -> users and passwords (or something like that) and find the User Access Control option and disable it! rock on!

Hi all, I did some digging and found out that viewpoint does not have it's own uninstall program which is why add/remove pgms craps out- you have to do it manually. (Reg keys, remove the folders in program files, yaddayadda) Unfortuantely manually removing it did not help (although it did remove itself from my add/remove programs list) I also double checked msconfig and my background services to make sure it wasn't still popping up. I also have SAV CE installed. I had AIM 6 installed when this first started - it's now removed. I have all the same items installed on my home system as I do at work, yet only my work laptop is having the issue. Any chance it's laptop related as opposed to workstation? what is everyone using? I'm getting desperate. I've given myself until Friday to resolve, then I'm reinstalling Vista. If it comes back again, then it's back to XP for me. Has anyone who has done a fresh reinstall had this issue re-occur?

I too am using a Dell D820 laptop, received new on 12/1, the same day I installed Vista. I would say it's unlikely to be related or limited to a particular type of machine. Laptops do have wireless cards in common, which most desktops do not, but again it's highly unlikely. I still believe AIM is the probably cause. I know it's not from simply installing AIM though, as I installed it on 12/18 but didnt use it until 2 days before the error occured.

Hey, Ive been reading this thread cause I have the same or similar problem. I'm not as knowledgeable as you guys seems to be but can generally follow the discussion. I'm still running vista beta due to lack of funds at the moment, and this happend to me two days ago. My downloads seemed to be disappearing from the desktop as they finished (which turned out to be IE crapping out and cancelling them) as none of my video/audio files would play. Vista suggested my sound drive was the problem (realtek AC'97). I updated my sound drivers to a vista release, and things seemed mostly functional except for the task bar icon not recognizing the network. I had recently, about a week ago, had aim 6 crap out on me; it just wouldnt connect tot he server. I put old aim on and worked fine, and after I had finished this sound problem I put new aim back to test it and it seems fine. After reading through this thread I was content that evertyhing was working and would continue to check back to see if the problem had been solved. Just to add, Im not sure what kind of windows games you play, but this problem wont let me play unreal tournament 2004, as the game doesn't know I have internet and wont even try to look for servers. WoW seems fine, but I havent tried anything else yet. Ill try to get retail vista within the next week or so, so hopefully a fresh install will solve it. I will continue to check back and let you know if I figure anything out. Good luck and thanks. -nik *hl2.exe also started failing when I try to launch counterstrike: source. bah.

Although it may seem that it has to do with Dell...and I kinda wish it did because I hate them now lol...it shouldn't matter what type of system you are running. I'm running a full retail copy of my OS, and I did NOT get it from Dell, so it's not a Dell-based OS, so I know it's not Dell that's causing the issue. As for the wireless card, my system doesn't have that either, so that can't be a factor for this, atleast for the most part. It is also not Norton because, like I said in the past few sentences, I don't have it. It seems we have narrowed it down to AOL's products. As for whoever said the installed the newest version of AIM and didn't get this error, you're pretty **** lucky. That's exactly what I installed and I got the error. :P As for ViewPoint Media Player, if it has no uninstaller, and isn't uninstalled along with AIM, then we have a problem here. AOL needs to release an uninstaller A.S.A.P. before someone sues them for claiming their software is mal-ware, since it did in fact install another program without knowledge or permission of the user(s). Lastly, for the Microsoft basher that said MS is neglecting this, just calm the **** down. MS is releasing a whole ****-load of updates, patches, and hotfixes in March that they've been working on since before the release of Vista. If AIM or MS doesn't come forward with a fix soon we're just going to have to wait and see what happens in March. You may think this is a huge deal and MS needs to fix it A.S.A.P., but not only would it be a third party issue, but MS also has bigger bugs to fix at the moment. Remember this, just because MS releases updates and fixes for bugs on their system for free, doesn't mean they have to. No where in the license of the product does it say that you get all the updates and bugs fixed when you buy it. MS provides updates and fixes for free because they care about their products and their customers, so next time you wanna get pissed at MS, don't. Get pissed at the guys who made the program that ****ed up your computer.I know that didn't help the situation much physically, ...or virtually lol..., but it'll hopefully atleast help you guys calm down. Now on to the real issue at hand. We do know it's AOL's products that are causing the issue, but has anyone been able to re-create the issue without ANY AOL-based or Plaxo-based products on their system? If so, it's important that you tell us now.Technical info: Is anyone else's Windows Explorer window freezing when attempting to open the Networking And Share Center? Also, is EVERYONE else's computer rating advisor missing from the main computer properties window as well? Has anyone attempted and successfully removed ViewPoint Media Player, and if so, is the error gone? Does AIM or AIM Pro still work after the removal? Check the properties for ViewPoint Media Player and make sure it's officially AOL's and not a third party app, such as Plaxo. Whoever said they created a thread on AOL's forums, make sure you mention ViewPoint Media Player in it so they know that is also a possibility for the problem. And my last sentence before I go: Can you please link us to the AOL thread you made from here?(Jeez...too much needed to be written...)

Well, I've spent the last few days trying to fix this bugger and I've come across some interesting things.Firstly: I have freshly reinstalled and have EVERYTHING installed and configured that I did before EXCEPT AIM. So far so good. But It's only been running a few hours now.Secondly:I tried some XP repairing tricks for similar errors outlined on this web page: http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-531768.phpAnd in great detail on this Web page:http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.win32.programmer.wmi/msg/1da6ab3690bc75a0These did not help me. But I encourage those of you with troubles to try these just the same to see if it fixes your woes. In any event, I did come across some interesting things while doing this.1) On the second web page he talks about reinstalling all the *.mof files in \windows\system32\wbem\ folder. I was unable to do this as I couldn't find their location on my Vista DVD. It's possible they're in the *.wim file which i didn't care to track down and figure out how to expand.2) When attempting to reregister certain dlls, I got an error code 0x80070716 for hnetcfg.dll. 3) Obviously, as we all now know, the Network List Service won't run, it returns an error of not enough resources. 4) Even though winmgmt service is running, it DOES NOT have an ID in the tasklist, whether using tasklist.exe or tlist.exe (for those of you who remember this program, also mentioned and used in the second web page). Thusly, I have no way of knowing the process ID it's assigned in the registry actually matches it's real process ID.*5) The Logs directory at \Windows\System32\wbem\Logs contains various logs of this service. One specific Log, the WMITracing.log, has LOST OWNERSHIP. This prevents anyone, even the system from writing to the file. The owner is SUPPOSED to be System. However, no owner is displayed. As a result, you can't take ownership of this file or give it to someone else. NOT EVEN THE ADMINISTRATOR (by name) was able to do this. Fun. What makes this doubly strange is that I deleted the file in safe mode, and when I rebooted the system had recreated it and promptly lost ownership and rights to it again.6) Whether related or not, if you reboot the system after destroying the \windows\system32\wbem\repository directory, if you quickly go to check your performance index, it says it can't be displayed and offers a link to recalculate it. Shortly there after, the link disappears. Not sure if this is related or not, just something I noticed.Well, I'm sorry I couldn't be a bigger help right now. But I'll see how long the system goes before troubles arise again. For the moment, as I've stated, no AIM is installed. OR ANY INSTANT MESSENGER PROGRAM. I'll be using www.meebo.com in the meantime. heheI hope something in there will trigger someone else's mind on their search.Cheers!

Network List Service won't run because it has certain requirements to run, and since WMI doesn't display that information, the service thinks it's 0 and so it doesn't run.

As I had indicated previously, I never had AIM, Viewpoint or any other IM installed on the box and I had all the same symptoms, red X, no rating in the advisor and network and sharing center would freeze and be useless. It's not a Dell box, it's a Gateway core2duo, on a wired network so no laptop or wireless issues. The last (3rd) reinstall of Vista has fixed things so far.

Can you give me the exact path and name of all the files ownership was lost to, as well as any known registry keys? I may be able to work on it if I can get that information.

Here's the AOL link to their beta forum... http://messageboards.aol.com/aol/en_us/articles.php?boardId=567777&func=3&channel=People%20Connection You may have to sign-in with an AOL or AIM account to view the board. I didnt post too much there about the problem, but would probably be a good idea if you did. Also, there's a thread on their board about a similar issue, it may be related to what we're seeing.

Replied And Submitted A Bug Report.

I was having this problem as well, including really slow system startup. After seeing this forum, I uninstalled AIM 6.0, and noticed ViewPoint had been installed yesterday... conveniently enough, that's when my problem started. So, I uninstalled that as well. After that, I did a System Restore back to the day before yesterday... Computer re-started, and everything works like a charm. (y)

SugarDx wrote:Can you give me the exact path and name of all the files ownership was lost to, as well as any known registry keys? I may be able to work on it if I can get that information.Unfortunately, not anymore at the moment. I reinstalled the system. I'm actually trying to break it again.

It's cool-if you find them out just post them up! :D

I found this interesting about Viewpoint Media Player... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viewpoint_Media_Player I'm looking for a list of other software that installs this player, I'm sure AOL is not the only one.

"Malware claims Viewpoint is commonly installed with AIM without the explicit consent of the user because it is considered to be a required package. VMP is sometimes considered to be spyware because the license agreement states that the software collects information about users' interactions with advertisements and the browser and operating system in use. This information is reported to Viewpoint's customers, and is delivered with a unique identifying code. Again, this information is sent without any notification to the end user."I think AOL owes us an explanation...

AIM isn't the problem chuckleme don't jump to any conclusions

AIM seems to be the common thread. It must be at minimum a contributing factor, or have something in common with another software package that causes the issue. Can you offer another explanation? At least 2 of us had AIM and the Viewpoint Media Player was installed without permission on the very day the problem occured. Seems rather odd to me.

AIM or one of it's components is the problem. I know ur trying to bash Vista and I don't give a ****, go do it somewhere else.

Same problem, Dell e1405, Windows Vista Home premium, "unknown - Server execution failed", not playing mp3 files, can't see Windows Experience Index, has AIM 5.9 installed.I fixed it via system restore, then it happened again (red x on network icon) when I restarted the system without disconnecting the internet connection first. Did another system restore, and uninstalled Viewpoint Media Player.I hope somebody is already working on a patch for this.

I noticed, while trying to "break" another Vista installation, that even though Viewpoint Media player is installed by AIM, it IS possible to uninstall the player. Just goto add / remove programs and remove it. However, I couldn't do that before, after I had broken Vista the first time, as has been detailed by others in this thread. For the time being, my system has been running nearly flawlessly with the exception of one crash, cause unknown. I think it's time to put AIM back on and see what happens.

Does AIM even use ViewPoint Media Player for anything other than advertisements? Will it run without it? I wonder if it's being caused by a combination of the two when they're running...

greetings all- I've been out of the loop for a while, but it seems that everyone is trashing on AOL/AIM. My problem was with AIM 5.9, but it is true that I had GoogleTalk and other messengers installed as well. After the more than well known 'server execution failed' stuff, I rolled back safely via System Restore. Granted I've repeated this, I want to point out that at least for me, AIM 6.0 is working fine and didn't kill my system, though it seems it is hit or miss for some of you other guys.I don't know about all this Viewpoint stuff... What interests me is what would compel theNetwork List Service to just DIE on us and give us the Error 1450 Insufficient Resources thingy. Something is inhibiting or tricking this service into thinking it cannot run. We've listed possible suspects that may have made this thing stop, but how can we get it running again? It's ridiculous to not be able to run WIndows Live or AIM just because of this. These are common programs that people use ALL THE TIME.

Have you got this fixed yet. i feel the problem lies here. Not with AIM. I noticed this problem started right around the time a expanded a partition. Were you working with your partitions lately? Thank you for any help you can provide. I too get the 1450 error.

Some services use WMI to calculate system resources, since WMI is not working, these services can not calculate whether your system meets the minimum requirements to start the service. That's what makes Network List Service not start.

Very true.We need a way though to get it running correctly again, as well as preventing this issue in the future.

much thanks, dazed. so it's down to whyinstant messangerskills WMI, now is it?

The problem may not be instant messenger, at least not by itself. I'm still trying to break this installation again. I've been using AIM since my last post without any issues (version 5.9). However, I uninstalled viewpoint media player before using it. So... Perhaps a combination of the two?Doesn't AIM use the player to display those annoying streaming video commercials in the top of the buddy list window?I guess it's time to put viewpoint media player back in.

I've the same problem, but I have no AIM installed and I don't want to play media files. It's a fresh install, only VisualStudio2005 is installed.It seems to be a security issue with the WMI, which results in the following: "The Network List Service service terminated with the following error: Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service."In the Comp. mgmt > Services and Apps > WMI Control Properties: Failed to initialize all required WMI classes.Win32_Processor: Win32: Access is deniedWin32_WMISetting: SuccessfulSecurity information: SuccessfulWin32_OperatingSystem: Win32: Access is deniedSystem restore doesn't help.

I agree about IM. I'm starting to wonder if this isn't some file/app permission issue. For what its worth, my problem showed up right after I resized one of my partitions.

I have the exact same Dell and I'm getting the same error. It's really bugging me even tho the network is still working... *sigh*

I managed to find an XP solution that resolves the Vista WMI issue. http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.win32.programmer.wmi/msg/1da6ab3690bc75a0 My WMi is working fine now, the network icon is working and WMI properties displays correctly. The above fix errors on one of the dll's but otherwise works fine. Credit to the Author. Where they state to kill/stop the WMI process can be replaced with a simple stop / start of the Service through the service control panel. Some might want to experiment running as a shared service and reporting back. I am taking a break from weeks of detective work and leaving my PC alone for a while to try and introduce some stability. My stability index started at -2 and is now 6.7 and rising. One thing at a time. My network list service starts service starts fine. CAVEATS The above solutuion involes adding the Network Service account to the local Administrators group. Hard to swallow but better than my previous state of affairs. IMHO, UAC, permissions and general Security in Vistaare poorly implemented, poorly documented and frustrating to an experienced home user. They have a product that runs fine out of the box, but try and do anything fancy such as tinkering, tailoring or tightening/loosening up and the whole thing breaks. The online help facility linked into events and errors is nearly always a dead end else hoplessly vague. What we had with XP was a homebrew V8 for petrolheads, Vista is a Barbie Pink Ferrari with a bonnet that can't be opened. Hope this helps, I certainly shared the frustrations of many of the posters here. Hurry up with Vista SP1 please MS !!

Please read my previous reply to the WMI issues. It refers to this link which solves teh WMI security issue. http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.win32.programmer.wmi/msg/1da6ab3690bc75a0

Yes, I saw this on my google searches and actually referenced it here as well. A wonderful piece of work. Unfortunately, it didn't solve my issues under Vista. Anyone else have any luck with this method?

It didn't work on Vista.

Sorry to hear that... Did all the steps work ? I have Vista Ultimate and it worked for me.... Strangely though, only after a few restarts... I thought it had failed at first.

I have a Toshiba laptop running XP SP2.On Sunday, I upgraded to Vista Ultimate (did NOT do a clean install, just upgrade). After spending at least 40 hours, got every thing working correctly. Then out of the blues, the same problem showed up (Server execution failed). Now, I don't have a Dell, it is a Toshiba. I am NOT running AIM or any AOL stuff. After giving up trying to fix it myself, I was able to talk to MS Tech. Yesterday morning, I spent close to 4 hours with one of them. He managed to solve part of the problem, The "Server execution failed" was gone and the Network & Sharing Center was back working (not freezing anymore). However, a new message replaced the "Server execution faild" appeared when you hover the mouse on the network icon. The new message said something like there is a conflict where two processes are starting in the same services (can't remember exactly). Apparently, the new problem relates to a specific service "Network List service"which refuses to start (see services). The first tech could not solve it and he elevated the issue to his research team. A second tech called me yesterday evening and worked with me for another hour or so. He could not resolve it either. In the process, my "Server execution failed"came back and the Network & Sharing Center is again frozen. He promised to consult with his higher ups and call me back with a resolution. While I did appreciate their fantastic effort, I am not at all thrilled with Vista or Microsoft. The moral of the story, it is a Vista bug and not AIM or another prgram. I think MS are now seriously looking at it and let's hope thay can find the culprit. Thank you for the great info in this thread.

I have the same problem. Network connection X'd out, AIM 5.9 installed, and media not playing. I installed AIM a while ago and the Viewpoint player installed on the same day. It may be the problem, but it could also be a coincidence, with AIM being such a popular program. This is becoming a widespread problem that NEEDS to get fixed soon.

Agreed. AOL and Microsoft better do something soon before people start suing lol...

FIXED! At least for me. I had already taken care of the multimedia issue by reinstalling the Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 drivers, but I still had all of the network issues described in this forum. To finally fix the network problems all I did was add the Local Service account to the Administrators group. I'm sure there is some particular file access or registry key access issue that I could have fixed directly and maybe I'll try to find the particular corrupted security settingat a later date. Just in case you need it here are the steps I took... >>Right click "Computer">>Click "Manage">>Double click "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. Hopefully this will fix it for everyone. If anyone finds the exact file(s) or registry key(s) that needed the permissions modified I'd be interested to know.

IT WORKS!!! Thank you!

Gah, the steps can't be done on Vista Home Premium and lower. The Users and Groups snap-in isn't there, and can't be added on Vista Starter, Home, or Home Premium. The only way to add administrators is through the control panel, and it only lists users created, not the Local Service.Bleh :(

Found an error in that!It should be the following, unless your computer is just different:>>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.Testing it now-hopefully it works! :D Great job man!

ATTENTION EVERYONE!THANK BLUESHOT FOR SAVING THE DAY! I just tested this and it officially works! I'll post this fix in a few other places to make sure no one gets left out. :) All credit goes to BlueShot!

<3 you blueshot.

Thanks blueshot that fixed it right up; saved me a reformat sothank youvery much I also found that some other services were affected by this bug, which can be fixed by adding both Local service and Service to the administrative group.

This definitely narrows tings down a lot :) However, I have to cast a vote for the Home Premium users. Sadly, I also cannot use this fix. Is there any other way that these services can be added to the administrative group?

Amazing fix... for you home users, i bet there is a way to use the command line to add the user to the group.... start with: http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/library/bbc58f6d-5283-4da2-9fc4-703503803fbd1033.mspx?mfr=true that might point you in the right direction!!??

Yes, I read that somewhere for Windows XP error but didn't think to try it on Vista, thanks

It doesn't fix WMI, how can we do the same for WMI?

You're right. I still can't view system info, etc. The thing is that I ran the WMI fix described in a previous post (which didn't help the networking or the WMI). So now I'm not really sure if WMI wouldn't have been fixed had I not messed with it in the first place. Did anyonenot do that WMI fix but change the security settings?If so, does WMI now work? Also, I'm not all that familiar with the Home versions of Microsoft's OSs but perhaps you can modify the user accounts via safe mode. I don't have a machine with a Home version of either XP or Vista to test on but it's probably worth a try.

From command prompt as administrator : net localhost Administrators /add Local Service then do a : net localhosts Administrator and NT Local Service should be listed. Reboot and all is well. Completely fizxed my problem - I can go into network and sharing center without hangs and I can change network options - Oh Boy !!! I did NOT run the WMI fix detailed below and all seems to work fine!!! Good Luck!! Scott

I have lost many hours of sleep trying to resolve this problem. YOU SAVED THE DAY. I just tested it on Vista Ultimate upgrade and it worked like a charm. Thank you, thank you and thank you. I have a telephone appointment scheduled with Microsoft Tech this evening (this will be the 3rd time, already spent 4 hours with them to resolve this issue). With your permission, I would like to pass your FIX of this issue to them. Perhaps thay can help those who are not members of this forum. Best luck, wishes, thanks and all. Mike

Worked great. Thank you for saving me a few hours this weekend. At one point I though I was working on my linux box. :)

Has there been asolution yet to the problem of WMI. I still get the error "cannot access the Windows Management Instrumentation software. Windows Management files may be moved or missing". Any help with this issue please? Mike

fixed the network browsing issue, BUT i still cant remote desktop into my vista enterprise. any solution for that ? it was working fine, then this all happened. applied the fix you guys recently posted. that solved network thing but not remote desktop. can you guys try to remote desktop into your computer and see if that problem is there for you too. Thanks

^ Did you try to eliminate then totally "reconfigure" all things to do with remote desktop? Are the RDP services working? What exactly is the issue? (I'm guessing you've tried all the usual troubleshooting stuff) This issue may no longer be related to this thread.http://weblogs.asp.net/astopford/archive/2006/02/28/439240.aspx

yea tried everything related to rdp. closed firewall, enabled rdp, tried less secure client option, but doesnt connect form inside or outside of network. was working fine when i installed vista , then suddenly stopped working and i realized i have same network problems as people here. also somebody else posted rdp not working.. tried to do everything again for rdp..but nothing works

These steps don't work for me for some reason.>>Right click "Computer">>Click "Manage">>Double click "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.When I click manage, the window that shows up doesn't have anything that says "Users and Groups." I can't get past this step, and therefore can't fix the problem. I can't go through the command prompt either, as the net command isn't working. Please help!EDIT: Forgot to mention that I'm using Windows Home Premium, and User Account Control happens to be turned off. Even with it on, I don't see the group section in the manage window.

JLarkin wrote:These steps don't work for me for some reason.<snip>I'm using Windows Home Premium<snip> try this solution posted above: SWAndersen wrote: From command prompt as administrator : net localhost Administrators /add Local Service then do a : net localhosts Administrator and NT Local Service should be listed. Reboot and all is well. <snip> Scott

I'm running Vista Home Basic, in which localhost was not available. I had success with the following:Boot Windows to Safe Mode.From the command prompt, enter net localgroup Administrators LocalService /addVerify using net localgroup AdministratorsRestart Windows normally.This would work for me only in Safe Mode. It seems to have fixed the network and media issues. However, now I find that my Guest user account won't startup fully -- don't know if it's related to what I did.

paul.a wrote:I'm running Vista Home Basic, in which localhost was not available. I had success with the following:Boot Windows to Safe Mode.From the command prompt, enter net localgroup Administrators LocalService /addVerify using net localgroup AdministratorsRestart Windows normally.This would work for me only in Safe Mode. It seems to have fixed the network and media issues. However, now I find that my Guest user account won't startup fully -- don't know if it's related to what I did.fixed my "connection status unknown" problem. great work. thanks a bunch.

Tool2Die4 wrote: paul.a wrote:I'm running Vista Home Basic, in which localhost was not available. I had success with the following:Boot Windows to Safe Mode.From the command prompt, enter net localgroup Administrators LocalService /addVerify using net localgroup AdministratorsRestart Windows normally.This would work for me only in Safe Mode. It seems to have fixed the network and media issues. However, now I find that my Guest user account won't startup fully -- don't know if it's related to what I did.fixed my "connection status unknown" problem. great work. thanks a bunch. Worked for me too. Thanks a lot!

I had the same problem. It took me a while to remember all the updates and changes ect. i had made to my computer when it started happening. When reading through the 10 pages of posts i came across one that asked if disabling UAC was the problem. This got me to remembering. When i had UAC enabled everytime i started AIM after a minute or so i would get an alert that Aim was attempting to execute a process (im assuming viewpoint mediaplayer). I would always cancel it because aim would always work fine without it before it launched. But a while ago I disabled UAC and sometime after that i logged on to AIM. Without the UAC it must have just executed the process and installed viewpoint. The restart after this is when i started experiencing this crap. All i did was do a systm restore back to before i turned off UAC and then uninstalled all of my AIM and AOL junk. Its been running fine since.Edit: Forgot. I'm Running Vista Home Premium on Dell comp.

Ah, good call. That's probably exactly what's doing it. Too bad I can't back up that far... I've installed so much stuff since the problem cropped up... Dammit.

I've tried rebuilding the Repository by using "net stop winmgmt; delete Repository folder; net start winmgmt" and I've also added LocalService, as above, but my WMI still isn't working properly... this is on Vista Home Premium... Yes I have AOL & Viewpoint Mediaplayer installed.. At this point I dunno what to do, maybe reinstall Vista?Any other suggestions?

Ahh, figured it out. First, I ran the WMIDiag script and it told me some registry keys were missing... so I added those... I eventually got to the section where it recommended restoring the Repository folder with a fresh one from the Vista install disk. But I couldn't find it in there... Luckily Dell has a backup partition (D:) which has a backup of all the system files, so I copied the Repository folder from there, and WMI is now working! I've decided to leave those other fixes as they are, left those "missing" registry keys in there, and left the LocalService in the Administrators group... Now my Norton Antivirus is acting up... (it's been acting up for a couple of days now...) ugh... Jason

Thanks god for you guys. Still trying to figure out the WMI thing though.

Hi, that fixed my network issues but I am still having the same issues with remote desktop. Despite all the services and whatnot being enabled, I am still not listening on port 3389. Any one have any ideas?

At the moment I have two user accounts that still work under Vista Ultimate. Same issues as mentioned by others in this thread: Network List Service errors in Event Viewer, unable to create new user accounts that actually work, Windows Vista Experience Index ratings have disappeared etc. If this really is a common problem experienced by many users, I would say that Vista has been launched way too early and that the service pack should arrive really soon!!! This is even worse than the launch of XP! I'm not thinking of reinstallingas this is just the second week the OS has been installed on my PC. What a disgrace... .

I've had Vista Ultimate installed on my home computer since it came out in Feb, but just today the problem (red x, server execution failed, access denied) appeared. In addition, my system was generally way slower than usual, and my sound (Audigy 4) quit working.Putting LocalService in Admin fixed the network (and slugishness) problem, but I'll probably have to reinstall my sound drivers for the audigy. Here's some items of note:1. I do have a TV Tuner card2. I do have Firefox 23. I don't have AIM or any IM on this machine (never have had).4. I haven't installed any software (other than Windows Updates) on this machine in the last 2 weeks.5. The problem appeared after my computer lost power unexpectedly (my UPS must be bad).Now, here's something interesting...Over the last two days at work I've been trying to identify and fix a weird problem regarding permissions on my XP Pro box. On this particular problem, my .NET Framework 2.0 was hosed royally. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling many times, trying various internet fixes all the while. No matter what I did, I kept getting an access denied error at a certain part of the install.On a whim, I reset ownership of the entire filesystem back to the Administrators group - which fixed the problem.My suspicions are these:1. A windows update recently went out that changes security in some way that's causing these problems (both the one that is the topic of this thread, and the one I described at work on XP).-or-2. The problem is occurring as the result of file/registry corruption - particularly corruption that would affect security settings. This would be supported by the fact that reinstalling Vista seems to correct the problem.At any rate, having 2 major security related issues pop up on two different machines at the same time seems pretty odd to me - and the only thing those two things share (other than the user) is Firefox 2, .NET Framework 2.0, and Windows Update.

There's a command in XP for resetting security permissions on files and registry keys but I don't know what the corresponding command is in Vista. secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\repair\secsetup.inf /db secsetup.sdb /verbose secedit is still there but the security catalog and templates aren't the same. You can also use subinaclto reset registry perms but there are groups/users like Restricted and msiserver on some keys and I don't think it would be wise to reset the whole registry with only system and administrators.

Well,I managed to find a security template that I could use, but I'm not sure if it's the proper/best one. defltwk.inf is a template that's also in xp/2k so I thought I would give it a shot, seeing that I couldn't find a secsetup.inf.It has a date of 6/21/06 so I assumed it would've been updated for Vista. I backed up my registry with ERUNT first and ran the following in a cmd window (in c:\Users\Admin): secedit /configure /DB secedit.sdb /CFG %systemroot%\inf\defltwk.inf /log secedit.log /verbose First runI got a criticalerror and it quit. The log showed it to be hklm\software\Licenses soI checked the perms and there were none. I added Administrators manually andsystem, users and creator owner were added automatically (inherited). I ran the command again and got another error - this time on hklm\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\Run. Again there were no perms so I added them as before and ran the command again. This time, the registry processing completed, although there were still quite a few errors, most on HKLM\software\classes (there were no subkeys listed so I'm not sure if the problem was with specific classes). There were many file errors as well, mostly on oldxp style paths such as c:\windows\repair but most of these were likely irrelevant to the problem anyway so it's probably not a big deal. I rebooted and immediately got the startup sound so I knew that part of the problem was fixed. My Uptime and Ping sidebar gadgets also worked. The network connnectedicon seemed a little slow coming around but it did after a minute or so. I rebooted again and got the same results so everything appears to be fixed.

Turns out they never included the security templates with Vista. You can get them here: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=74028 EDIT: These don't reset the file and registry permissions so they won't work. Back to the hunt...

After all the research and such today, I found no real answer. Although it was a bit of a pain. I reinstalled Vista over top if itself (Repair / Upgrade) and it resolved the issues for WMI and the red X in the Task bar.I would have liked to have know MS was actually looking into and going to do something about, but I couldn't wait that long. So, I'n the meantime, if you want to just install your O.S. over itself, it will fix you up,Best of luck. Ill check back from time to time to see if another fix was posted but this will do for now.-Fuel

If you can find the proper default security template, that will solve your problem. Although there were a number of errors, the defltwk.inftemplate does work and hasn't caused any problems so far.

I have a brand new Dell laptop that came with Vista Ultimate. The network worked good for a while. After a Windows update I rebooted the computer and voila! The network is gone and I get this error. Since then on, I can only connect to the wireless networks that I had set up before. I can't believe Microsoft is not providing a patch for this. This is taking forever and my whole productivity is down because of this stupid problem.

I had same problem when I installed ViewPoint Media Player. That software created lot of problems. I applied below fix and it looks like my system is stable again (Windows Visata Home Premium). Tool2Die4 wrote: paul.a wrote: I'm running Vista Home Basic, in which localhost was not available. I had success with the following: Boot Windows to Safe Mode. From the command prompt, enter net localgroup Administrators LocalService /add Verify using net localgroup Administrators Restart Windows normally.This would work for me only in Safe Mode. It seems to have fixed the network and media issues. However, now I find that my Guest user account won't startup fully -- don't know if it's related to what I did. I am still concerned if the viewpoint has deleted any important system files. My System Restore didn't work after uninstalling ViewPoint. I strongly discourage installing ViewPoint software!

just wanted to say that the above method, where you go into the command prompt (home premium edition here) and add Local Service to the administrators group worked great for me, it not only fixed the red x, but also the sound and missing system info on the computer properties screen. I would like to point out that you should use localgroup instead of what was originally said (must have been a typo).Since we seem to have a fix, does anyone know what the problem was, or why on earth this is a fix for all these seemingly unrelated problems? Just seems like a really strange problem. Oh, also I just installed viewpoint today to look at a 360 of a honda, but I haven't installed any IM programs on my computer. I suppose this is pointing more towards viewpoint.Anyways, thanks again for the solution!! It was really driving me bonkers (yes I said bonkers)

I did a search on the internet for this particular error. I used the suggested solution and it work. If this has already been posted, I apologize for the reposting, if not I hope it works for those having problems with it in the forum. Thanks. http://support.celeratec.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=70

I've just 'saved as'in My Documents aU.S. Court of Appeals Opinion from a few years ago whereby people like Aol & Netscapewere suing Microsoft over bundling IE to it's systems and screwing up/slowing downother internet access providers and search companies and creating it's own Java Virtual Machine etc. I found it on the same page as this site and it answers a lot of your questions ... and mine...... I always assumed I had done something wrong all the time! Hope this helps. Bye. Rona

I am running Ultimate and I installed only one program that could have caused this behavior. I installed Symantec Ghost version 12 and it would not complete the installation after reboot and gave me a E1AD3212 error along with a permissions error. Uninstall anda restore both failed to remedy the situation. I found nothing about this on Symantec's web site and lucked onto this. The above instructions worked perfectly and I would like to say thanks because I was almost ready to do a reinstall which I dreaded. Anyway, nice job in coming up with the solution but I am dismayed with how many other programs may have caused the same problem and I hope Microsoft takes care of this and corrects the restore process so that is backs up and restores the user's and permissions. This is a serious oversight on their part. Thanks again, Burton Crawford

I, too, am using Vista Business (32-bit) from my college's MDSN subscription.Adding 'NT Authority\Local Service' to the Administrators group does not fix the problem for me. All other symptoms seem to be the same. I have had both Aim 6.0 and 5.9 installed at one point, as well as that steaming pile of dung known as Viewpoint Media Player (uninstall didn't work; I did a filesystem and registry search for 'viewpoint' and deleted everything found). I still have Firefox 2, Daemon Tools, Paragon Partition Manager 8.5 and CloneCD installed. I have never had any antivirus installed.I don't have any time to investigate further right now, since I'm trying to be ready to pass all my finals this Thursday and Friday. I'll spend some time next week trying to fix this, but I'm not too confident I'll figure it out. I'm hoping someone else makes progress before then

Microsoft is addressing this problem as we speak, if you add the 'NT Authority\Local Service' and still does not work, I'll recommend using the following: 1. Use system restore to roll back before the install of any AIM. 2. Do a search on any left-over AIM folders and dir, if it exist, delete it. 3. Complete the process of adding 'NT Authority\Local Service' to Local Users and Groups before installing AIM. 4. Install AIM 5.9.3 only(not the 5.9.6 or the 6.0) Let me know if this works, if not there is a patch I obtain from the MSDN support group that may able to help your problem, this patch will also be include within the upcoming update around summer. Thanks for your patients.

As I and a couple of others mentioned, I don't have (and have never had) AIM or anything from AOL installed on my computers. So that in and of itself eliminates AIM as a cause.But hey, addressing the problem is half the battle, so kudos there.

I can't do a roll-back, since the system restore messed up in a freakish way. under the "system protection" tab is a list of all the permanent drives in the system. somehow, I had two listings for drive c:, one labeled "VISTA (C: ) (Missing)" that was checked and one labeled "VISTA (C: ) (System)" that was not checked. all restore points were gone for all drives.I could do a clean install, but I would rather not have to deal with reinstalling all programs and getting the multiboot working with xp and linux again unless I have to, especially since the problem may return, anyway.@bordelon - you've never had AIM, but is it possible that viewpoint found its way onto your system somehow?

This worked for me, thank you so much! I've been riddled with this problem for months now. Like others, it took a few reboots to work.

Server connection failed in Windows Vista Server connection failed is a problem that occurs in Windows Vista when there is a change of GUID (Globally unique identifier). In Windows Vista, you might get connection status as - server execution failed. You will still be connected with the internet but, except for the administrator, no other accounts might work.Well, this happens when the GUID (Globally unique identifier) of a network adapter changes on the computer that is running Windows Vista and the computer indexes an old IP address that was linked with the old GUID. In this case if the old IP address is not a valid one, you can get a connection failure message resulting a connection failure.The following are the two downloads that are available. This should resolve your problem. For Windows Vista, http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?amp;displaylang=en&familyid=c585e831-41fd-40bd-8923-e542eb7a1b8a&displaylang=enFor Windows Vista 64-bit systems, http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8c328a96-f715-48a5-9d92-974e97c74165&DisplayLang=en Original Thread here: http://www.zolved.com/synapse/view_content/28072/Server_connection_failed_in_Windows_Vista Hope it helps you all out, it worked for me and AIM sucks..... AOL sucks....

Downloaded hotfix for vista (above) didn't work. I still have the same problems: Windows Defender is offand won't turn on Can't play media files in media player red x on network icon in taskbar with error "Server execution failed" Network "anything" is slow or unresponsive. Problem started for me after installing and uninstalling Adobe CS3 Web Premium.

Hey, just wanted to chime in and say the commandline fix worked fine for me: net localgroup Administrators LocalService /add This is on Windows Vista Home Premium on a Dell Inspiron E1705. UPDATE: This wasn't my computer, I thought I'd throw in a couple more "me toos". This computer also:-had AIM 5.9.6089-had the "Viewpoint" media player pre-installed (it had been removed by the time I was called on).-had become unable to play music files (system sounds still worked fine, I "fixed" this by disabling the S/PDIF output from the volume applet)-had the "server execution failed" tooltip from the network applet-had a red "x" on the network applet, though network AND internet access were usable-took a significant amount of time to load the context menu when you right-clicked on the network applet-took as long if not longer to load the Network and Whatever Place (sorry, I'm a *nix guy, the one you can access via the network applet context menu)-had the Processor(s) and several other items show up as "n/a" when I ran 'dxdiag'Thanks again, you people saved my friend a lot of hassle!

I wanted to post and say thanks, the fix posted here worked for me adding the localservice to the admin group. The bug happened to me after i tried to install KB931770 to fix file transfer issues. Uninstalling the update didn't work but this did, you have saved my day, week, and possibly month of frustration. I'd buy you lunch.

Well guys, thanks for the fix...i was bashing my head against the wall with this one. However, as soon as i applied this fix all of my word 07 documents and excel files became "locked for editing and in use by another user" does anybody have any insight as to where i should trek from here? also my wmi and computer properties still arn't 100% TIA

Adding the Local Service tag solved my issue with the X on the Network Icon, however I cannot receive Windows Updates, I keep getting an error. Is anyone else having this issue associated with the LocalService problem? If a patch is forthcoming, how can I receive it if I cannot access Windows Updates? This all started when I could not get updates and then I noticed I had the same issue as everyone else on this thread.

me too, it also says Failed to initialize all required WMI classes. Win32_Processor: Win32: Access is denied. Win32_WMISetting: Successful Security information: Successful Win32_OperatingSystem: Win32: Access is denied.

I followed what paul. a said and I was able to fix it. My internet network connection no longer has the red X and I can once again listen to music. I have one question though, is it safe to re-install AIM? I used to have 5.9.6, and I don't believe it was the problem, unless you guys object. Also, if I am allowed to re-install AIM without it happening again, I would appreciate a link to which AIM version I am able to download. Thanks a bunch.Please, contact me via e-mail at hotscot7@optonline.net

Completely fixed my problem also with Vista Home Premium.....All works now as before....I suspect AOL AIM and/or Viewpoint as I've deleted all references but it's probably corrupted a key somewhere....Thanks for this workaround.....

I had the same problem. This guy fixed it... http://www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server.html

hello all, i've also run into this problem. adding the local service to the administrators group solved the red x problem, but i was still not able to connect to my machine via remote desktop. i am running vista enterprise and i did indeed have an AIM 5.9 install on it. i also had firefox, photoshop, and a few other things that were mentioned here. i did the reinstall and everything worked dandy again for a day and then the problem came back up. i reinstalled again and now i'm trying to reproduce the problem on both my computer and a virtual vista install i have going. getting rid of the red x is great and all, but the remote desktop is really what i need.

I tried the fix and it did fix the network problem. However, it did not fit the missing System information, ie: Processor: Not Available, Memory(RAM): Not Available.Has anyone found a fix for this yet, they both appeared at the same exact time, on after installing the latest hotfix downloaded from windows update last week.

joek1234 wrote: I tried the fix and it did fix the network problem. However, it did not fit the missing System information, ie: Processor: Not Available, Memory(RAM): Not Available.Has anyone found a fix for this yet, they both appeared at the same exact time, on after installing the latest hotfix downloaded from windows update last week. Joek...I have the same exact problem. My system information and installed Memory is not available. Have been looking all around the web for a solution and haven't found one yet.

You guys are AWESOME! Thanks for the tip, the whole net localgroup Admistrators thing worked like a charm! The red x went away, and my music now plays! Lets just hope it stays that way. Thanks a lot guys, you're all geniuses!Now, my little message to the Microsoft tech guys...This topic started in the beginning of FEBRUARY, and it's now almost JULY! To put it bluntly, this is fucking ridiculous, you should have released an update to fix this. If you fucks down at Microsoft actually take some time to read these damn posts, listen to this. HURRY THE FUCK UP. We payed good money for your product and stand by it while Mac commercials and ads flood the market, and what do we get? Major fucking bugs like this that last for months with no official word on it. It's also sad how these people in this topic are probably doing more damn work than you guys are in fixing these problems, and you fucks are getting payed for sitting on your asses helping no one.

I still cannot RDP into my Vista box after the network issue fix...Has anyone been able to get it going?

hi guys, i am encountering the same problem - network error (connection status: unknown, server execution failed), and not playiing any media files. for the second problem, i fixed it from sound setting. try to change some of the settings in sound.detailed i forgotbut it helps, still very irritated with the network problem, my wireless network is not working, but can connects through LAN or internet card.but cant open "network and sharing center", it hangs.sucks.

>>>>I had the same problem. This guy fixed it... >>>>>>http://www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server.html I looked at this fix and went down through the list of steps to complete it but ran into a slight snag. The list reads as shown below: the third line reads 'double click the "local Users and Groups" I don't have that option. What does that mean? anyone know? Mike >>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.Remember, all credit goes to BlueShot @ Microsoft TechNet Forums!

WINDOWS VISTA HOME AND HOME PREMIUM USERSthis worked for me just make sure you are using an administrator account and than type this into the cmd promptStart>Run>cmd Code Snippet Net localgroup Administrators localservice /addrestart and bingo fixed i hope this helps

I have Vista Home Basic. After I execute this command my connection status is still x'ed out. This tooltip displays: The account specified for this service is different from the account specified for other services running in the same process space. I haven't seen anyone else report this problem. I suppose I could try to put every service in administrators, but I would prefer a more surgical approach. Update: I have also had the wmi problem others reported. The wmi snap-in for Computer Management displayed: Failed to initialize all required WMI classes. Win32_Processor: Win32: Access is denied. Win32_WMISetting: Successful Security information: Successful Win32_OperatingSystem: Win32: Access is denied. Also, I was unable to install sql server express due to a 'wmi configuration error'.Thiscommand fixed the snap-in and allowed me toinstall sql server: net localgroup administrators NetworkService /ADD Once I completed my install I removed it: net localgroup administrators NetworkService /DELETE Of course the snap-in has problems again. I changed Network Lists Service logon to 'Local Service' (the original I think) and now the 'x' is gone!

i am still having this stupid problem....and capn your fix didnt work for me unless i am doing something wrong. can you list your exact steps?

It worked for me too. I did have to do it in safe mode with commands though Cathy

did you make sure your current account was an administrator by adding it?

Since I was having many problems with this issue, I'm going to show what I did to fix the problem. First, I did the hotfix which fixed the network problem, but I found that I still had wmi errors and was unable to play any games on Steam. So, armed with google and a caffinated beverage, I went to work. Eventually, I discovered that my computer has a slightly differen't net command. So I changed this: net localhost Administrators /add Local Service To this: net localgroup Administrators /add Local Service And it worked perfectly. No wmi problems, not even one error when running wmi diag. Hope this helps someone.

I simply uninstalled AIM and it fixed it.

Thanks for the tip. It worked perfectly fine for me (I was using Vista Home Premium). Now the red x is gone and back to the two squares with the blue circle. Seriously MS, what the hell is going on to the point where we, as in the customers, have to come up with solutions for your glitches? I hope they release some kind of patch or service pack to fix this issue in the future.

I've found out myself that doing a dual-boot configuration actually causes your restore points to be effectively wiped out everytime you go to boot into the other OS and then back to Vista as it (theRestore Points feature)is affected by the dual boot process.

I was able to fix the network problem and the Media player issues by doing the safe mode boot and the localservice fix, but I still don't have a working WMI. I use a usb internet card provided by Verizon to connect to the internet while on traveling and it can't be configured either which I suspect is related to this. Has anyone been able to figure out how exactly to restore teh WMI? Thanks.

Thanks to all for figuring this out I have been dealing with this since March. Using Vista Business, no AIM, just the problem of the red x over the networking icon in the notification area and not being able to bring up and change, view or modify network connections and the Network List Service service would not start telling me I did not have enough resources. Using Dell Latitude D620 with intel Core2 Duo 2 GHz processor and 2GB of RAM I think I met the resource requirements. Have tried everything from reinstallingNIC's to reinstalling full OS, nothing has worked. In addition, trying to connect to wireless networks was impossible. The command line option worked for me: From the command prompt, enter net localgroup Administrators LocalService /addVerify using net localgroup Administrators Restart Windows normally. However, I did not need to do this in safe mode, just started the command prompt as administrator.

Yeah, anyone have any info on how to fix WMI? My computer now says i have "Not Available" under processor and memory and can't connect to WMI using the msinfo32 program (system information)

Thank you so much Blueshot. You have really helped me out, and a lot of other people too.I'm not religeous but God bless you my friend!

did u receive a solution yetif so please share it with me because i have been having this problem for 2 days nowand without my music and videos i might go insanealso Internet is necessary for schoolwork

im having the same exact problemdid u find a solution yet?nobody seems to have a solution on the internet thanks in advance

Originally posted by Blueshot: FIXED! At least for me. I had already taken care of the multimedia issue by reinstalling the Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 drivers, but I still had all of the network issues described in this forum. To finally fix the network problems all I did was add the Local Service account to the Administrators group. I'm sure there is some particular file access or registry key access issue that I could have fixed directly and maybe I'll try to find the particular corrupted security settingat a later date. Just in case you need it here are the steps I took... >>Right click "Computer">>Click "Manage">>Double click "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. Hopefully this will fix it for everyone. If anyone finds the exact file(s) or registry key(s) that needed the permissions modified I'd be interested to know. I actually feel, even though this had fixed the problem, that there is still a registry access problem. My Vista stopped being able to access and edit registry entries a long time ago. And it shows, when running registry cleaning tools and backup programs that backup my registry. The programs pause for a while, as if they are just constantly retrying for registry entry, then eventually windows error message service pops up with "Windows could not start registry editor" or something similar. To be honest, I've uninstalled Vista for the meantime as this was not the only error I was getting. I was also getting a lot of graphic driver issues with the 8800GTX and the latest drivers 163.71 with "nvlddmkm" errors stopping the display driver every 10 seconds. Vista is a great OS, but I just don't want the hassle at the moment. Soon Crysis will be released and I will have my copy, but until then I will keep XP. If anyone ever manages to port DX10 to XP then I'll stick with XP, it's much easier on the resources.

I can confirm that AIM (version 6.5 in my case) is the culprit.I recently did a clean install, since I didn't have a good restore point when I had this problem. I then have been very careful about installing anything, creating an image of my hard drive before hand so that I can easily revert back.I installed the latest version of AIM, and then I had these issues come up again. IIS doesn't work, the network status icon has the "Server Execution Failed" message, and my User Experience Index doesn't work either. I then tried uninstalling AIM. AIM went away, but not my problems. This forced me to do a restore of my backup.I think I'll be using Trillian or AIM Classic and see if this fixes the problem.

Thank you Blueshot! I'm not sure that there is any one single cause for this issue. After reading all 14 pages of this thread, I did see a few common possible causes, but no one definitive cause. I had this problem with one of my co-workers PCs here in the office. She doesn't have AIM installed but does have Firefox. But then she has just about every web browser used today installed (she's a developer). I too have all kinds of software installed (all the browsers, IM software, various other apps) and yet I didn't have a single problem. I sure hope he M$ can fix this issue in some way other than adding Local Service to the local admin group. This seems like a potential security nightmare if this is the only way to fix the issue. Another note to any of the MS engineers who may be looking at this problem, it also seems to really mess with IIS7 and ASP pages run on the local machine. Once again, my machine was no problem to setup, yet following the EXACT same steps on my coworkers machine results in some strange issues with ASP pages where they end up failing calling simple functions.

For those still having problems with WMI after following Blueshot's directions, here's how I solved the same problem on my computer (Windows Vista Business): Follow Blueshot's directions again, up to the point where you selected "Local Service" from the list, and instead scroll down and look for "Service." Then resume following Blueshot's instructions to add "Service" to the Administrator's group. To do this from the command line just use the same command that's been given previously on this thread, with Services instead of LocalService: Net localgroup Administrators service /add This worked for me, anyway. I had installed Aim 6.5, which caused the same problems reported on this thread. Following Blueshot's instructions resolved the "server execution failed" problem in the "Network and Sharing Center," but WMI still didn't function correctly. I added "Service" to the Administrator's Group, rebooted, and everything appears to be working normally again. I also uninstalled AIM 6.5 before doing this, so I don't know if it has to be uninstalled for WMI to resume functioning properly or not.

Hi Burton, Unless I missed somehting, I couldn't find the fix you referred to. I'm having the same problem as you described. I'm running Wndows XP SP2. Thanks, CLG

ISKH wrote: For those still having problems with WMI after following Blueshot's directions, here's how I solved the same problem on my computer (Windows Vista Business): Follow Blueshot's directions again, up to the point where you selected "Local Service" from the list, and instead scroll down and look for "Service." Then resume following Blueshot's instructions to add "Service" to the Administrator's group. To do this from the command line just use the same command that's been given previously on this thread, with Services instead of LocalService: Net localgroup Administrators service /add This worked for me, anyway. I had installed Aim 6.5, which caused the same problems reported on this thread. Following Blueshot's instructions resolved the "server execution failed" problem in the "Network and Sharing Center," but WMI still didn't function correctly. I added "Service" to the Administrator's Group, rebooted, and everything appears to be working normally again. I also uninstalled AIM 6.5 before doing this, so I don't know if it has to be uninstalled for WMI to resume functioning properly or not. Hey, thank you so much bro! Worked like a charm, you and blueshot are life-savers. I wonder if there's any other thing we have to add to the Administrators group? I feel like something is still broken but we just can't see it yet, I really hope Microsoft patches this so we don't have to mickey-mouse the problem with this work around. Thanks again guys.

Just another person with the same issue as you all..*sigh*...For me it was DEFINATELY AIM 6.0 that brought about this curse...everything was working fine until I installed that horrible demon program.. *patiently waitin for a fix*....

I just tried the modified fix (adding Service instead of Local Service to the administrators group). This worked for me and fixed WMI and the network issue. The odd thing is that after rebooting the red X still appeared on the network icon. After right clicking the icon and bringing up the network properties there was a short hang, the red X disappeared and then the properties came up as normal. I as well had AIM 6 and ViewPoint installed. I uninstalled both before attempting this fix. I do have one concern, however. By adding this service to the administrators group are we not causing a security risk by giving a very limited user complete administrative rights? Does anyone know why this fix works? I've read many boards in the past weeks and no one seems to explain why doing this works.

THANK YOU!!! this is the only thing that worked for me (running Vista Home Premium)...seems to have resolved everything!!

whenever i make service an administrator my mouse constantly flashes back and forth between normal and working in the background

Same here. I tryed every media player and got Real Player to work. thats the only one tho.

The top and bottomz fail.http://67.165.225.221:8000/Probz.jpg

ISKH wrote: This worked for me, anyway. I had installed Aim 6.5, which caused the same problems reported on this thread. Following Blueshot's instructions resolved the "server execution failed" problem in the "Network and Sharing Center," but WMI still didn't function correctly. I added "Service" to the Administrator's Group, rebooted, and everything appears to be working normally again. I also uninstalled AIM 6.5 before doing this, so I don't know if it has to be uninstalled for WMI to resume functioning properly or not.Ok, I've had this problem on my mom's Dell Inspiron E1405 laptop with Vista Home Basic edition with AIM 6.5 installed but using this command worked:net localgroup Administrators LocalService /addThat only fixed the Network List service problem and the Network trayicon problem but not the WMI problems. To fix the WMI problems, use crazymonkey's solution mentioned a few pages back in this thread which I did and the WMI problems went away. Just type in the following command in either normal mode or safe mode:net localgroup Administrators /add Local ServiceThen restart the computer and WMI should work correctly again. Hope this helps other Vista users out there who are having these problems.I've now un-installed Viewpoint media player but continue to use AIM 6.5 since my brother and I like using AIM.E.P.

Claudio Girolami wrote: Hi Burton, Unless I missed somehting, I couldn't find the fix you referred to. I'm having the same problem as you described. I'm running Wndows XP SP2. Thanks, CLG The fix does not apply to XP SP2, CLG. only applicable to Vista. I believe Burton is using Vista Ultimate and not any edition of XP.

what i did to fix the situation was install the posted hotfix, add local service and service to the administrators group and redo the ownership on my drive to administrators now all is well and i have aim installed

By following the instructions to add the Local Services to the Admistrative group, I was able to restore my network.Doing the same thing and adding the Service listing to the group solved the ability to view system information when viewing my computer's propertied (Experience Rating now shows as well).I know many have described that they feel that AIM did this. I've used AIM 6 for months now with no problem, but I also uninstall Viewpoint after every AIM update because it's a useless program and I like to keep my list as clean as possible by uninstalling anything not needed or that seems 'shady.' I recently moved up to 6.5, but I didn't get the errors until tonight's (10/9/07) Windows Update ran and told me about all of the new things (14 new items tonight, aside from the annoying language packs) that were available. The question arose on a post a few before this one as to whether or not uninstalling AIM before performing the two manual fixes changed the outcome. The user DID uninstall first, I DID NOT. We both got the same outcome. I truly do hope this works for everyone else, and I seriously do feel for those of you who had to wait longer than it took me to read through 9 pages of posts until Blue came up with a quick fix.

I just installed Aim 6 last night to send a file to a friend. I turned my machine off when I went to bed. When I got home from work my computer loads all funky and wont play any sound files. In fact it won't even let me watch any avi files either. Did uninstalling AIM fix it or am I gonna have to preform a system restore?

I managed to fix it. uninstalled aim did nothing. I finally got my restore points to load and restored to a point before I had put AIM on it. And to make a major note. AIM did not create a restore point. isn't all software suposed to do that when you install it? I declare that AIM is a virus!

Firesped wrote: I managed to fix it. uninstalled aim did nothing. I finally got my restore points to load and restored to a point before I had put AIM on it. And to make a major note. AIM did not create a restore point. isn't all software suposed to do that when you install it? I declare that AIM is a virus!Not all third party software makes restore points, Firesped, unless the software installation was created from a Windows Installer package or InstallShield package. AIM uses a different installer that system restore does NOT recognize and does NOT use MSI (Windows Installer) or InstallShield to setup AIM. that's why no restore point was created by installing AIM.Basically, AOL and AIM software use their own proprietary installer instead of either InstallShield or Windows Installer.Read Vista's Help file and search for System Restore and it should tell you that restore points for programs are created when they use installers such as InstallShield or Windows Installer.Well, I un-installed AIM 6.5, rebooted and re-installed AIM 6.5 on my mom's Vista laptop and the "network" problem never came back. weird.

I've also got the bug.AIM 5.9.6089FirefoxI can play MP3s I just can't share folders and files.

I fixed my networking problems by adding localservice but I still had wmi issues as well. I just installed the latest version of AIM 6.5 and I now have my wmi back now. I hope this works for someone else as well.

Does anybody know why AIM 6.5 causes this issue? Happened to me too!

For anyone wondering who's on a clean install of Vista, the last working version of AIM that doesn't ruin your Vista is v6.5.3.12 that you can get by going here: http://filehippo.com/download_aim/?3094 Then click on Downoad this Version from the top right. So ridiculous that AIM/AOL hasn't fixed this issue yet.

Thanks!! I finally fixed my issue and is able to get remote desktop working again. But I got another problem, when I try to login with a non adminstrators account, it would try to login but it just does nothing.Computer Management->Local Users and Groups->Group->Users has the following membersASPNETmy user accountNT AUTHORITY\Authenicated UsersNT AUTHORITY\INTERACTIVEIs it missing anything else?

Here is a report of the fix. Well now there's a fix! Thanks to a regular Vista user on Microsoft's TechNet forums, a fix has been found!Here ya go:>>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.Remember, all credit goes to BlueShot @ Microsoft TechNet Forums!

When i click "Manage" how come i don't have "Local Users and Groups" under "System Tools"? All i have is: Task Scheduler Event Viewer Shared Folders Reliability and PerformanceDevice Manager please help???

You will have to use the cmd interface for Home Premium or Home Basic. Only enterprise, Business, and Ultimate users can configure users through the management console.To to the steps above with CMD,Click the start buttonIn the instant search, type "CMD"Right click on the Cmd short-cut, click "Run as Administrator" (If using User-Account Control)Type " net localgroup "Administrators" "NT Authority\Local Service" /add" (without quotes)This should solve the problem.

Silver: worked like a charm! thank you so much. Anyone who has Vista Home Premium or Home Basic, follow silver's instructions and it should work out for you.

Great job that you found a "fix", and I hate to be an issue, but it just says: Code Block There is no such global user or group: NT. There is no such global user or group: Authority\Local The command completed with one or more errors. More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 3783 Then I tried the help message, which shown: Code Block There is no such global user or group: ***. PLEASE HELP!!! Same issues. Using a Compaq 6515b, Vista Home Basic, installed latest AIM 6, disconnected networkicon, no RAM/Processor info on sys props, WMI bullcrap. Can't do a reinstall, since the laptop didn't come with a disc, just HP's crappy bootable recovery thing.

EXCELLENT. this is the correct solution. now i have a question for any tech people... is there anything wrong with my computer now that i have: NT AUTHORITY\SERVICE listed when i type net localgroup administrators in the cmd? i ask this because on another laptop with a fresh install of vista, there is no mention of NT AUTHORITY\SERVICE. what does this actually do or mean?

Ok, but ultimately the question is, what exactly is AIM 6.5 doing that causes this? Previously there was no need to add Local Service or Service to the admins group. By default they have admin priveleges. So how does installing AIM 6.5 compromise that?

nvm, I uninstalled AIM after running this command, rebooted,and now it works. Thanks for the fix Silver!!! David, I don't know how they found out, and I'm still lost also as to how adding the service fixes it, but I do hope AIM finds out soon. Meanwhile I'll have to settle with Trillian.

I dont think it's just AIM. I never had AIM insalled and I have every single issue discussed here. Including the network detection, cannot see processor and memory info in system properties, cannot RDP, and cannot login to non admin accounts. While I have fixed most of the issue (thanks for the people who found the fixes) by adding the specified services to the local admin group, I am still unable to login to a non admin account (new or old). When I first create an account I login and while it's building the profile, I get an error "Windows mail could not be started because msoe.dll could not be initialized". I click ok, and then it contintues to build the profile settings (Internet Explorer, etc...) and then just sits there on a light blue screen. I can do Ctrl+Alt+Del and pull up task manager or logout, but it will not pull up Explorer or anything else. Has anyone found a fix for this? I am running Vista Ultimate. MS, get SP1 out will ya???

I'm having this issue as well using Vista Home Premium 32-Bit on a Toshiba Satellite laptop. My issue started about two days ago and I've had this laptop for a few months. I automatically suspected AIM 6.0 to be the problem as everytime I did a system restore AIM was also uninstalled. After I would re-install it the problem would resurface. I also got fed up with my sound card not working properly. I fixed that (hopefully it wont go out again) By updating the drivers there and restarting. The x for my network still appears yet everything lets me connect. My system says my Ram and Processor are unavailable. I still have 76.8 Gb of space on my system and total I have 147 GB of space. I know it's not a problem with the Ram as I have plenty. Shouldn't this be a problem microsoft should be addressing?

This is in response to an issue with Windows Vista WMI not executing properly, and no system info in the system properties screen, sound issues and the like. the main issue for me was with the Network and Sharing center and the "Connection: Unknown, Server Execution Failed" and a constant red X even though internet works. I'm running Vista Ultimate x64.Along with a solution by blueshot. There were some more steps to solving this onmy computer. Here were blueshot's original steps, my addins are below.Right click "Computer"Click "Manage"Double click "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 nowClick "Ok"Close Computer Management and reboot.---------------------------Here's what I had to do.**These users should be added to Administrators if not already there: \CREATOR GROUP\CREATOR OWNER\OWNER RIGHTSNT AUTHORITY\INTERACTIVENT AUTHORITY\IUSRNT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICENT AUTHORITY\NETWORKNT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICENT AUTHORITY\REMOTE INTERACTIVE LOGINNT AUTHORITY\SERVICENT AUTHORITY\SYSTEMIf you are missing any of those users in the Administrators Group, it will cause Vista to not function properly. I tested each one myself last night and adding all these groups solved all my issues.

I am working on an HP Laptop that had the network issue. I fixed it using Blu's fix, but remote desktop still doesn't work. Can I ask how you got remote desktop working?

hey this works completely for lenovo T61, Vista Home Premium. Tried the other string from blushot, didnt work, but this change did it. might be for others as well?My problems were:-"X" Server Execution Failed-WMI not available-Steam Games (CS, etc.) crashing.Fixed all problems. hope it stays that way.Thanks, crazymonkey

crazymonkey wrote: Since I was having many problems with this issue, I'm going to show what I did to fix the problem. First, I did the hotfix which fixed the network problem, but I found that I still had wmi errors and was unable to play any games on Steam. So, armed with google and a caffinated beverage, I went to work. Eventually, I discovered that my computer has a slightly differen't net command. So I changed this: net localhost Administrators /add Local Service To this: net localgroup Administrators /add Local Service And it worked perfectly. No wmi problems, not even one error when running wmi diag. Hope this helps someone.

Awesome, thanks Paul! AOL was totally useless, no support whatsoever.

I have the same issue with the network connection. I also have the problem with the inability to play any media files at all. This is extremely exasporating!!! This is rediculus in fact. Does microsoft have any kind of solution for this? I attempted to do a system restore but it failed both times. It seems that I can't restore to a point before I installed the latest version of AIM.

Hey i have a SOLUTION to the problem of not being able to play videos, movies, mp3s, audio files, etc, after installing AIM 6.5 This is going to sound ridiculous, but I just did it, and it worked instantly. 1) Go to control panels 2) go to the "sound" control panel When you click on it and open it, you will instantly get some kind of an error message about some ridiculous problem, and you can choose to Allow or Disable. CHOOSE DISABLE. Instantly, your entire problem is fixed. I found the solution on another site online, but was unable to find it again to link in this post. It worked like a charm. I don't know WHY it happened, or WHAT caused it, but its works!

Thank you so much. Dell wanted to walk me through a system rebuild!! Your steps worked perfectly for my Vista Business laptop. Thanks again!!!

I am having all of the formentioned problems...I am running vista, just installed the new AIM, HP Pavillion dv9000AMD Turion 64x2 I just got off the phone with HP in India and they said it was because my Norton Subscription was about to expire.I got rid of Norton, installed and ran AVG and still all the same problems. What gives!?

I updated AIM on friday, turned off my computer. went to turn it on today... and i had this problem. I cannot play music, and my network connections is effed up. i can still browse the internet, but the connection burps a lot.I used system restore to friday (before i installed the new AIM). problem solved

I would like to add that I have resolved my "connection status : unknown" and "server exectution failed" !!!! Also my music plays!! Thank you so much everyone! I installed the plugin (KB929451) but that did not work for me. I started with Safe Mode and entered net localgroup Administrators Local Service /add. It added successfully and I rebooted. Everything is much faster now (in the process of trying to resolve this issue I deleted a lot of programs and also defragmented lol..). Thank you everyone again! My Vaio VGN-FE800 series works again!!... for now...P.S. I had AIM and Viewpoint and they both worked before I fixed this problem but I uninstalled them anyways. Also I have a Home Premium version. I also right clicked the sound icon in my taskbar and clicked "sound". It told me Window's detected something was messing with my computer so I just clicked disable.THANK YOU ALL!!!!edit: i thought my problems started after installing zone alarm security suite. on top of that i also had avira free antivir, adaware, windows firewall, windows defender, and norton. i deleted norton (crappy trial) and avira, and turned off windows firewall and defender since im just running zonealarm now which has spyware and antivirus in it anyways. but when i signed on aim successfully since it didnt affect my computer( probably was the right version) i noticed that it was the latest version i guess automatically updated.

Jeffrey555 good luck fixing your problem, same issue here and after reading through a number of the posts in this thread,the laptop to my left appears to have most issues resolved. "I just got off the phone with HP in India and they said it was because my Norton Subscription was about to expire." This comment substantially changed my mood, thanks. First laugh I've had since the problem began. Although this is assuredly not funny to you, it's amazing that your tech believed that an upcoming expiration was the problem. AIM appears to be the culprit in my case, I've been hitting the remind me later button for a week or two now (until today)because I was unable to find a way to say explicative NO. AIM also installed some "Viewpoint" software that you may want to uninstall as well. Best of luck, thanks for sharing.

This is incredibly sad that this issue has been posted on and been and ongoing issue since the release of Windows Vista in February and still has not had an official patch or anything from Microsoft that I can find. I've had Vista Ultimate on my computer since March, and I just now ran into this problem. When I find that this problem has been around since February and microsoft hasn't released a fix for it yet, it is very discouraging about Microsoft's competence about fixing important issues. It dosn't matter what the actual culprit of the problem is, wether its aim or a windws update, what matters is that it is a problem in windows vista that needs to be fixed so that it dosn't happen. Media is one of the most important things to a home user, so when it isn't work because of this bug it's a huge deal. Remote Desktop is a very beneficial tool for business and it to is effected by this bug, yet Microsoft is doing what, from what I can find they havn't even acknowledged the bug. Now after reading through the couple hundred posts in this topic, I have applied the before stated fixes and while yes it does fix the problems it opens a huge security hole on the computer. Anyone that has applied these fixes stated in this topic, you are now giving free access to your entire hard drive contents to anyone who can access your network. Thats right anyone. I tested this myself tonight when I applied the fixes. My hard drives are not shared, I don't even have file sharing turned on, but if I try to access my computer across the network from another computer,instant free full access control. Even access to user documents that are suppose to be private for that user only, as well as program files and system32. Can go in and modify files, delete files, add files, anything I want to do from another computer never having even entered a password. Thats the saddest part my computer is password protected yet my files are now open to the public. I'm at a toss up on wether I should leave the problem fixed and allow anyone that can gain access to my network access to my files as well, or if I should undo the "fixes" and not be able to use remote desktop, nor play any media files as well as having a few other problems here and there.

Perhaps this issue does deal with AIM or AOL software in some way. I have Home Premium and use AOL software proper (don't bash me for this!) the "VR" or "Vista Ready" version. I experienced the red x, server execution failed and no sound (but NOT the WMI issues) after unchecking one of two AOL entries in msconfig startup. Odd that there's only one there now...forget the names of the startup processes, but the only one there now is the "AOLsoftware.exe" which puts the AOL icon in the system tray. Anyway... My Question Is This: Does anyone know what the net localgroup (or localhost, depending on Vista version)Administrators /add Local Service command actually DOES?It can be undone using /delete in place of /add, correct? I've done so, but no amount of removing AOL completely (using registry editors, etc.) willfix the "server execution failed." Perhaps I missed it earlier, for that I apologize. What does it do, and does anyone have any inkling of how it fixes this problem? Steven6282: I was presuming that it was a poor work-around, and you stated just how it is, but unfortunately it's the only one. It's very sad that CONSUMERS must come up with answers, not Micro$oft. I give up; I'm going to be re-installing Vista from scratch, along with XP which I'll use until MS stops the BS about Vista and fixes the d**n thing. I'm also VERY disappointed in Microsoft for not owning up to how FRAGILE Vista is. I've had it for a month now, and it's like whack-a-mole...fix one problem, another (or two) crops up. Heaven forbid you should install a program, or have software with poor uninstall code. It will screw Vista up every time. A large portion of my free time the last month has been chasing down Vista problems, including a very unreliable "system restore." At one point, programs took hours to install, presumably because a restore point was created but never finished, and had to "time out" every step of an InstallShiled installation. Somehow this is now fixed, too, but I'm just waiting for the next problem. If you look at the pages on the MS website or listen to the Crabby Office Lady, Microsoft was on a big "We care, and we listen to you" kick for a while..."There are feedback forms at the bottom of almost every page!" Well, who listened to THIS issue, started in February? How long until it was resolved? When will MS own up to the fact that Vista is the WORST first-release OS they have EVER shoved out the door prematurely and supported so infrequently? How long has Vista been out of beta testing and forced on the general public? And it's still a mess?! Google "Vista" and almost everyone hates it and/or is RUNNING back to XP. Microsoft HAS to know, they just don't address the big problem they have, and thus, inferred from this non-action, DO NOT SEEM TO CARE. "MS cares" has been shown to be BS as far as I'm concerned. Sorry for the slightly off-topic rant, but MS had better wake up! I'm no longer laughing at the "Mac vs. PC" Apple commercials. As far as Vista goes, a few of them hit way too close to home. Vista has good intentions and has potential, but right now it's just pretty stuff masking a horribly flawed OS. You can mold dog poop into a rose, but it's still going to stink.

You know, I tried to email support about this problem this morning. Come to find out I can't, they want me to pay 59 dollars to email them because it's been over 90 days since my product was activated. What kind of BS is that? I'm not paying 59 dollars to get support for a problem that has been around since release and is not fixed yet. It's funny that it even specifically said on the form that if you area Windows Vista user, you have no charge support for 90 days after activation... all other OSs have 90 days from the first time they submit a support ticket. I wonder why that could be? Is it possible that Microsoft knows Vista has tons of problems and they want to get as much money as they can out of people that don't know any better? This is the reason microsoft dosn't actually provide any support here, it's not getting them any money. This is a reported serious issue, that they have neglected to fix yet and it is causing loss of productivity and is potentially damaging computers. I know every OS is going to have bugs when they first release, but imo when it is a bug that cripples key aspects of the computer it should be priority #1 to get fixed. This is by far the most devastating bug I've found in Windows Vista yet, and the fact that it has been around for so long without being fixed is just plain out ridiculous. I may have only just experienced this bug, but being the fact that I'm a computer tech and have been vouching for how much I like windows vista to all my customers, to find out a bug like this can be around for so long without a fix really infuriates me. Because of this one single bug, I'm now going to be recommending to all my customers to stick with Windows XP for as long as possible, or if they prefer to switch to a Macintosh. I don't have any direct experience with Mac's new OS but I heard it is going a lot smoother than Vista is.

Is there an official fix for this from AOL or from Microsoft?

blueshot's fix works to resolve the "server execution failed" error and resolved an issue with Windows Mobile Device Center not loading. Adding "Service" to the administrators group fixes the issue with system information. Can't help but wonder what security issues this creates. See Steven6282 post on 10/30/07. I personally do not have the same results he does but adding these two internal users to the local administrator account clearly is not the best solution overall. Yes it works but are we causing more problems? Still can't access this system via RDP. Anybody have a fix for that?

I typed these commands and they work. Please boot into safe mode and do as follows. The commands work my rig is saved. Also I uninstalled AIM version 6 and above. I am going to go to WWW.Oldapps.com and dling and older version of aim. I would suggest anyone having this same problem to do the same. It is very easy and simple to understand. Just run the net localgroup Administrators LocalService /add command. then run the net localgroup Administrators right after in the next command line. Works Great and when you reboot.

Can someone walk me through these steps? I have no idea what localgroup, Administrators, etc.

I had the message " Server execution failed"& could not access my network also the icon in the notification area had a red X on it. I was at a loss until I searched Google and found this site which cured the problem, www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server.html - 118k -.

paul.a wrote: I'm running Vista Home Basic, in which localhost was not available. I had success with the following: Boot Windows to Safe Mode. From the command prompt, enter net localgroup Administrators LocalService /add Verify using net localgroup Administrators Restart Windows normally.This would work for me only in Safe Mode. It seems to have fixed the network and media issues. However, now I find that my Guest user account won't startup fully -- don't know if it's related to what I did. Bless your little heart, Paul.....I'm being forced, kicking and screaming, into using Vista. My machine did the network server execution failed thing....I have to admit, even after years of supporting Micro$oft products, I wouldn't have guessed or figured out the command line fix for this. Worked like a charm. Now if I could only figure out what broke it, and if there aren't supposed to be any "local users and groups" displayed under "Manage" in "my computer" menu. I really wish M$ would quit working so hard on making their OS's look like Apples, and just work on making them work right.

Hey everyone I have also received the same stuff i've been reading here. I also found a soultion for this WORKAROUNDWarning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.To work around this problem, modify the value of the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\SubSystems\WindowsTo do this, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK. 2. In Registry Editor, locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\SubSystemsBy default, the Windows entry in the subkey has a value that is similar to the following (all on one line): %SystemRoot%\system32\csrss.exe ObjectDirectory=\Windows SharedSection=1024,3072 Windows=On SubSystemType=Windows ServerDll=basesrv,1 ServerDll=winsrv:UserServerDllInitialization,3 ServerDll=winsrv:ConServerDllInitialization,2 ProfileControl=Off MaxRequestThreads=16 3. Right-click the Windows entry, and then click Modify. The Edit String dialog box appears. 4. In the Value data box, locate SharedSection, add 512 to SharedSection, and then click OK.The newly changed Windows entry reads as follows: %SystemRoot%\system32\csrss.exe ObjectDirectory=\Windows SharedSection=1024,3072,512 Windows=On SubSystemType=Windows ServerDll=basesrv,1 ServerDll=winsrv:UserServerDllInitialization,3 ServerDll=winsrv:ConServerDllInitialization,2 ProfileControl=Off MaxRequestThreads=16After this is completed restart the computer and all should be fine.

Does this solution work for the newest version of AIM 6.5.5.2, or only with AIM 6.5.3.12?

Um...thanks for the effort, answers, but 512 was ALREADY part of my subkey. There goes the workaround that doesn't create a HUGE security hole in your system. To quote a user on the AOL message boards about the net localgroup(service) administrators fix: "Only an idiot will put Local Service / Network Service in the administrators group and give them elevated rights. You're asking for nothing but problems and security issues by doing that. I wouldn't count on really finding a true fix to this issue any time soon." Can anyone tell me what the security risks ARE? How does this command open up my computer? I suppose an integrated router firewall is no help if you give localservice elevated rights? What could potentially happen? I'm asking a second time; some people are just satisfied with the "fix," but I'd like to find out what it DOES. Anyone? Please?

Well pgh, I'm a computer tech, I wont claim to know everything there is to know bout my security but my understanding of it is this. By default Local Service is not given administrator rights to protect you, for example a service starts up cannot modify files and registry entries that require administrator access. So by adding Local Service to the admin group, you are essentially giving every service on your computer full reign over your computer. This would make it a lot easier for viruses and spyware to cause you problems. Again that is my understanding of it and may not be 100% correct. Regardless it is a security hole even if I'm not correct in my thinking. It was not part of the administrators group to begin with for a reason. The security hole I have, with all my files being completely open as if I'm sharing them with full rights I'm not, is caused by adding the necessary groups to admin to fix the Remote Desktop issue. I have to use my computer for Remote Desktop multiple times a day so I cannot go without this feature, just adding Service to the admin group does not fix Remote Desktop. Now as far as router / firewall helping, in my case I turned on my wireless security on my router, so that not just anyone driving by my house can get on my network. But this isn't a real solution, this is just hiding microsofts problem and it is still a security risk for people that may try to access my network over the internet. With just Local Service added, I honestly can't say what internet type security risks there are, if any. But if I'm correct in my beliefs about the Local Service rights, you are much more open to nasty viruses and such if you accidentally download one, and your router / firewall is not going to prevent that. Come to think of it, antivirus software may not even detect a virus running at admin level because admins have the right to do those things that the virus would be doing. Again I could be wrong on that, I'm just thinking out loud more or less without actually researching it.

I'm worried about this as well..

well i added the local service to the admin in the local group and it did fix my network services problem, but now whenever I try to shut my computer down, it wont. it will just keep being at the shutting down stage and will never turn off so I just hold the power button. i dont think the bug/glitch is completely fixed.. unless someone can tell me how i can fix this other problem for me. thanks

Mr. Hickerson: Thanks so much for replying to my request. I've posted in several groups on the net, and heretofore nobody has attempted to explain what the potential security risks of this "fix" are. "Thinking out loud" was all I was looking for. You did so admirably, and I thank you. No matter what caused this problem, I just continue to have issues with "Windows Vista Whack-a-Mole." Correct one problem, another pops up. My Windows Media Center will not recognize my TV card, and therefore won't let me watch live TV or record it. I have a host of other problems, such as the AOL install problem (which also occurs in XP) where the install program acts as if you hit "cancel" when it attempts to complete the installation. When time permits, I'm just going to re-install Vista and also install XP as a dual-boot OS. Perhaps I'll just end up with the same problems again, but at least I'll be able to pinpoint when it happens, and perhaps revert to a backup or just stop using Vista altogether until it's suitable for use, which IMHO, it is certainly NOT at this stage. I'm thinking M$ will just play it like they did when ME came out with a host of problems...instead of REALLY supporting the OS and fixing the problems, they'll just introduce a new one. Don't go looking for "Vista with SP2," as the OS after Vista will probably come long before that point. Sorry again for being majorly off-topic.

I sent my brand new HP DV9000 laptop back to HP to get fixed (Hinge on the left side of the screen broke). When it came back i was having the same problems as everyone else. I thought it was something HP did. I am running Vista Ultimate. AIM 6.5.5.2 YIM and Firefox. Im going to try uninstalling firefox and see if that might fix it.Very frustrating.

Well I've followed the usual tricks people have posted. Fixed my network "X" issue, fixed my sound, things seem to be okay. Then I'm finding Firefox to crash a lot and now I'm having problems with games on Steam, specifically anything that uses Half-Life 2.Unfortunately I can't restore to before I installed the AIM update, which I'm convinced is definitely the problem. So I'm wondering... is there a way to reinstall vista or at least fix it with the install disc that DOESN'T overwrite everything so I have to start from scratch? I honestly am not about to hold my breath waiting for AOL to release a fix, so this seems to be my only option.

I wouldn't hold my breath for aol to fix it either since it's not really an aol bug. AIM may be whats causing it to happen but it is an internal windows vista bug that microsoft needs to fix not aol. As for fixing it wout reinstalling, honestly I havn't tried to do a "repair" on windows vista yet. I know for windows xp you could put the cd in and when it got to the point that it showed you your windows installation you could choose to repair it, it would basically reinstall everything but keep all data and registry entries so that you didn't loose anything. I would assume Vista has this feature as well but you'll have to do some research to find out exactly how to do it if you don't want to just pop your cd in and start poking around

Yeah.. same here.I did the whole Localservice /add thing and everything's been working so far. But I think I'm just gonna uninstall AIM and use something else. Does anyone know how to reverse the localservice /add thing that I did to make AIM work?haha, I'm 100% computer illiterate. thanks guys.

finally, I got through all 18 pages!!That workaround solution was really tempting but a bit too risky based on the possiblities of security holes as a few others have mentioned. I primarily spend my internet browsing time on my campus' wireless networks which pose as a threat FAR worse than simply browsing on my home network in terms of vulnerability.So far, my patience with all the "no network control," "disfunctional media playback," and "limited access to system info" has been growing slimmer by the days putttng up with them. This patience will probably reach its end by the end of this year or sooner, but my goal is to maintain some hope left on, perhaps, the release of SP1 (Service Pack 1). I recall that its possible release date was sometime early 2008. A patch or a hotfix for this problem being distributed before then by MS would be GREATLY appreciated. It should be done soon before I get too tempted for a downgrade to XP Pro...

i was wondering if i could collect that fix cause i am having major problems as well like server execution failed and my online gaming stuff does not work either

Is anybody's itunes not working properly?? Almost everything that plays mp3's isn't working!

My boss's computer was just struck by this issue by someone who decided to install AIM on it. Seeing that "fix" did make me wonder aboutsecurity;asgiving elevated privellages to the local system is highly questionable. I think at this point a system restore is necessary, which I always hate to do. Or a complete system repair is required. My feeling is that there is something in the registry that has been tampered with that is the real issue, but we're unable to put our finger on it. Yet another reason why I dislike AOL products. (except winamp )

Kamika007z wrote: My boss's computer was just struck by this issue by someone who decided to install AIM on it. Seeing that "fix" did make me wonder aboutsecurity;asgiving elevated privellages to the local system is highly questionable. I think at this point a system restore is necessary, which I always hate to do. Or a complete system repair is required. My feeling is that there is something in the registry that has been tampered with that is the real issue, but we're unable to put our finger on it. Yet another reason why I dislike AOL products. (except winamp ) Let us know if you found a fix for this......

I think reinstalling the sound card and network drivers might fix the issue. I installed aim yesterday and was having red x on my network icon and I was also having issues with my sound on my dell 1520 laptop. Today I did a reinstall of drivers which seemed to have fixed the problems I was having so far.

I see this post was back in February. I bought the new computer with Vista the last week of February, and until a couple of weeks ago, I started getting the red X on my network, and have the same situation with my Network and Sharing Center. I was told to disable IPv6 in the LAN properties, but I cannot find a way to get to the LAN properties without the Network and Sharing Center. I have experienced everything you speak of, except I just downloaded the newest AIM 6.5.5.2. I tried to uninstall it, but did not have any change in my network icon, still X'd.Anything new that anyone knows of?

im trying this (after several failed hot fixes): http://www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server.html

Yes!! This fixed my connection icon problem and now I can play music again! THANK YOU! One note though - I had to put "localgroup" instead of "localhost". But still. It works again! Thanks!

After reading the posts in this thread, it is obvious that no solution has been found yet. True, temporary fixes have been suggested, but something needs to be done about finding a real fix - one that does not compromise security (Windows has enough problems with that as it is) and one that addresses all of these seemingly unrelated, but apparently connected issues. The first problem here is the spamming of the blueshot fix over and over again. This thread is already 19 pages long, people!! READ before posting. The other issue seems to be that people aren't doing a good job of paying attention. For those of you who have read all the posts from beginning to end, I think you probably noticed as I did that there was a point at which people were working together to solve this issue. It kinda phased out with the blueshot and other fixes, but I don't think this thing is even close to being solved. My suggestion is the starting of a new thread, which I will be happy to start, the purpose of which will be to try and determine the cause and solutions of this problem. The thread is located here: http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2375891&SiteID=17&mode=1 I ask everyone who is reading this to take the time to look at this new thread and post your system specs as well as your program list and symptoms. I will try and keep up with this and compile all of these specs into some format that we can use to isolate and solve this problem. Also, along these lines, if anyone has a creative way to collect all this information (the best I can think of at the moment is to create a spreadsheet and place it on a server somewhere where people can download what we've gathered so far).

If I apply the local service workaround solution or whatever, could deleting it back off on the commandpossibly cause the problems to come back?later on, I might actually try out this "fix," but I also want to be assured that I could undo the fix whenever in case I ever find more trouble.

Thanks, Kirillian. A new thread is in order, keeping things on-topic. Personally, I re-installed Vista from scratch, being unable to fix all the problems I was having. I have the new AOL 9.1 installed, but am afraid to install ZoneAlarm or any Norton Symantec products, as I believe these were at the root of all my problems. I shouldn't have to completely back everything up before installing each and every program due to being afraid of damaging a fragile OS. It seems this is the only "real" solution at this point. I don't believe AOL/AIM is the REAL problem, as I am now running AOL with no problems. It may be a conflict somewhere else, with something I have not installed yet.

I got this a little while ago also (+/- 2 weeks). At first it wasn't a big deal and the network was still working fine, however, it seems to have gotten worse and now I cannot get out to the internet or even hit my router at all. I am not running AIM or have any kinda AIM pieces on the devices. I do have Firefox 2 and Adobe 8 which I have uninstalled and tried to no avail. The other thing was that the network stopped working all together when I did the Office 2003 SP3 update.

didnt need to boot to safe mode.... but i did need to enter command prompt as an administrator steps i followed:Simply ran command prompt as an administrator (right-click on "command prompt" and click "Open as Administrator") then typed the following command line:net localgroup "Administrators" "NT Authority\Local Service" /add after that i just restarted my comp n it worked fine... thanks a bunch (running vista home premium on an hp dv6000)

I'm sure this problem is more widespread than we (and microsoft) think. Most people probably don't notice the problem. Hopefully Microsoft will find a fix for this...anybody have Mr. Gates phone number? hehe

This is not resolving some of the other WMI problems on my Lap Top. WMIDaig, returns the following: 33429 16:47:45 (1) !! ERROR: WMI ENUMERATION operation errors reported: ................................................................... 16 ERROR(S)!33430 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfOS_Cache', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33431 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33432 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfOS_Memory', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33433 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33434 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfOS_Objects', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33435 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33436 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfOS_PagingFile', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33437 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33438 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfOS_Processor', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33439 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33440 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfOS_System', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33441 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33442 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfProc_Process', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33443 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33444 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfProc_Thread', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33445 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33446 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_Tcpip_ICMP', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33447 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33448 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_Tcpip_ICMPv6', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33449 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33450 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_Tcpip_IPv4', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33451 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33452 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_Tcpip_IPv6', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33453 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33454 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_Tcpip_TCPv4', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33455 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33456 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_Tcpip_TCPv6', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33457 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33458 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_Tcpip_UDPv4', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33459 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33460 16:47:45 (0) ** - Root/CIMV2, InstancesOf, 'Win32_PerfFormattedData_Tcpip_UDPv6', 0x80004002 - No such interface supported.33461 16:47:45 (0) ** MOF Registration: 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\WMIPERFINST.MOF'33462 16:47:45 (0) ** 33463 16:47:45 (0) ** WMI EXECQUERY operations: ........................................................................................... OK.33464 16:47:45 (0) ** WMI GET VALUE operations: ........................................................................................... OK.33465 16:47:45 (0) ** WMI WRITE operations: ............................................................................................... NOT TESTED.33466 16:47:45 (0) ** WMI PUT operations: ................................................................................................. NOT TESTED.33467 16:47:45 (0) ** WMI DELETE operations: .............................................................................................. NOT TESTED.33468 16:47:45 (0) ** WMI static instances retrieved: ..................................................................................... 1646.33469 16:47:45 (0) ** WMI dynamic instances retrieved: .................................................................................... 0.33470 16:47:45 (0) ** WMI instance request cancellations (to limit performance impact): ................................................... 1.33471 16:47:45 (0) ** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------33472 16:47:45 (0) ** # of Event Log events BEFORE WMIDiag execution since the last 20 day(s):33473 16:47:45 (0) ** DCOM: ............................................................................................................. 0.33474 16:47:45 (0) ** WINMGMT: .......................................................................................................... 0.33475 16:47:45 (0) ** WMIADAPTER: ....................................................................................................... 0.33476 16:47:45 (0) ** 33477 16:47:45 (0) ** # of additional Event Log events AFTER WMIDiag execution:33478 16:47:45 (0) ** DCOM: ............................................................................................................. 0.33479 16:47:45 (0) ** WINMGMT: .......................................................................................................... 0.33480 16:47:45 (0) ** WMIADAPTER: ....................................................................................................... 0.33481 16:47:45 (0) ** 33482 16:47:45 (0) ** 16 error(s) 0x80004002 - (WBEM_UNKNOWN) This error code is external to WMI.33483 16:47:45 (0) ** => This error is not a WMI error. It is a DCOM error due to the following reasons:33484 16:47:45 (0) ** - An application has changed the COM/DCOM settings of OLE32.DLL and/or OLEAUT32.DLL.33485 16:47:45 (0) ** - The registry settings of COM/DCOM has been damage or wrongly modified.33486 16:47:45 (0) ** => To correct this situation, you must re-register the original COM/DCOM DLLs with REGSVR32.EXE33487 16:47:45 (0) ** i.e. 'REGSVR32.EXE OLE32.DLL'33488 16:47:45 (0) ** i.e. 'REGSVR32.EXE OLEAUT32.DLL' When I attempt to run "REGSVR32.EXE OLE32.DLL", I get the following error: "The module "OLE32.DLL" was loaded but the call to DllRegisterServer failed with error code 0x80070005." When I open SQL Server 2005 Configuration Manager I get this error: "Cannot connect to WMI provider. You do not have the permissions or the server is unreachable. Note that you can only manage SQL Server 2005 servers with SQL server Configuration Manager. Invalid class [0x80041010]" Yes these problems only manifested after I installed AIM, but where is Microsoft's support?

thxheynow wrote: The most disturbing thing i think with this ... after having to take a day out and rebuild my own computer is that this version of aim is still on the site!! It has not been pulled or updated to fix the bug. Its practically a virus it screws up so much stuff!! After so many computers being destroyed are not enough people complaining? WHy dont i read about this on a news site by now. I know enough people who have destoryed there pcs by putting aim in it like they have for years. I dont get how it still just keeps goin on. They just dont seem to care. Why do people keep assuming that it's AIM that needs to fix the problem? AIM May have caused the problem to appear, but it is a Microsoft Windows Vista problem, not AIM. So why should they remove their latest version from their website when there is nothing wrong with it? Don't blame other companies for a microsoft problem.

I have windows vista, and my server also shows it is down, although it is working. When attempting to open the network it takes forever to open, and than it will not let me do anything to it. My media speakers do not work at all, and i cannot hear anything from the webcam. I have attempted to restore, but it would not allow me to restore to a previous day prior to when it occured. Help ... would appreciate any assistance on this. Thank you Michelle

J. Ricci wrote: Same problem here too Rcunn87... What kind of systems are you all running? I'm running a Dell E1505 w/ nvidia 2go, wi-fi.. yeah all that.. Let's get to the bottom of this!! DITTO, and it's really quite irritating! I'm having all the same problems, my computer started to freeze worse and not load pages fully after I downloaded the new AIM, but I uninstalled it and went to PIDGIN to see if that would fix it, nope, still doing it. This is rediculous.

J. Ricci wrote: Same problem here too Rcunn87... What kind of systems are you all running? I'm running a Dell E1505 w/ nvidia 2go, wi-fi.. yeah all that.. Let's get to the bottom of this!! DITTO, plus my computerfroze worse after the new AIM installation, but I uninstalled it and went to PIDGIN to try and fix the freezing, my computer doesn't freeze anymore, but all the other problems still persist, but when my WMP WAS working, the songs would start to skip about 90% of the way through, and no it's not a bad CD, they work fine on my MP3 player (which the computer won't recognize anymore) and the CDs are not scratched. Going crazy in college.

How are these threads reported? Do the moderators have report anything like this to the techs at microsoft?? How the hell are they supposed to fix it if nobody assures us that it's even being looked at? *sigh* It would be nice to see some sort of confirmation that something is being done.

thank you so much blueshot

there seem to be multiple forum threads dedicated to this one issue. a moderator for the microsoft online community support has responded in this thread: http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2326150&SiteID=17 however, i would suggest not posting to it unless you have something significant to add to microsoft's efforts at identifying and solving the exact problem. this thread has been overwhelmed by "i am having this problem too and MS/AIM needs to hurry up and fix it!" as someone who has spent the last few weeks reading these forums in search of an answer, i am suggesting we leave these out. as aggrivating as the problem is and as i understand your need to vent your frustrations (as i do too), these kinds of posts help no one.again, please stop posting the same "fixes" (none of which actually eliminates the source of the problem). leave it uncluttered so the MS techs can help us and so we can more easily find truly helpful posts.

I think we all have figured out that installing AIM causes the problem to surface, but uninstalling it does not reverse the problem. Restoring the system to a restore point prior to the AIM installation does resolve the problem, but is reproducable if installed again. There may be other software installations which cause this problem to surface also, and same thing, removing them does not reverse it. 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. Restore the system to a working state and then turn on UAC. After turning it on, rebooting and installing AIM I am not having any problems. I disabled UAC afterwards and still no problems at all. Leads me to believe that this isn't so much a Microsoft issue as it is an AOL issue. Othersoftware seems to install without issue when UAC is off, but this one obviously doesn't. If this actually the case, then we may never see a fix unless Microsoft applies pressure on AOL to resolve the problem. 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, and will most likely end up reinstalling Vista on my other PC to close up the security issue caused by the temporary fix that everyone has been using. Just a matter of time before that is exploited, don't settle for that as an answer.Take care and God bless!

Well, turning on the UAC does help and fix the problem. Thank you for telling us the solution to this frustrating problem. And hopefully everyone will get this and thiswill work out for them. But I am very surprise by turning on UAC can do so much. If turing on UAC can fix all the problems wehave as in this threatthen microsoft owe us an explanation if vista is ready for the market.

Go herehttp://www.iamdum.com/2007/11/09/connection-status-unknown-server-execution-failed/it worked for me when nothing else would

The issue is related to the October patches for Vista AND instant messager programs (AIM) AND disabled user account control (UAC). The best solution I have used is system restore, thereby preventing the problem from occuring, rather than applying and reapplying a fix that does not prevent future problems . The current official Microsoft solution is to reinstall all security policies and then restore permissions, which is overly complex and not designed for Vista Home or OEM versions. This is basicly a trivial solution anyone could do, with simple steps how to avoid the problem completely. 1. Required: System Restore to a date before the red x appeared. Typically start at October 31 and then work backwards untill the red x is gone from your network icon. 2. Recommended: Open the Security Panel and turn ON User Account Control. If you stop now, you can safely wait for Microsoft to make a fix. 3. Optional: Reinstall AIM (and/or any other programs removed by the restore). After installation, you may turn off UAC at your own risk. Do not allow AIM to update while UAC is OFF. 4. If any problems return, go back to step 1. You less likely to have future problems if you leave UAC ON Note: Simply uninstalling AIM will not fix the server execution, you must restore to a point before AIM was installed to repair all broken permissions.

And where did you find tihs so called "official Microsoft solution" I sure as heck havn't been able to find it.

Some people just aren't listening...do not settle for running that command as a solution, you are creating another problem that will be far worse down the road.

So what are us HOME users supposed to do?

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 couldnt do a system restore since CCleaner erases all restore points (I have it set that way). 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. Hope this helps you as well as it helped me!

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 :-)

This is insane, microsoft had this problem since the beginning of this year and they still don't have an update that fixes this problem.I already had the update kb941649 installed, so I tried re-installing it.Nothing happenedThe only thing that worked was from SWAndersen--------------------------------------------------------------------- From command prompt as administrator : net localhost Administrators /add Local Service then do a : net localhosts Administrator and NT Local Service should be listed. Reboot and all is well. Completely fizxed my problem - I can go into network and sharing center without hangs and I can change network options - Oh Boy !!! I did NOT run the WMI fix detailed below and all seems to work fine!!! Good Luck!! Scott --------------------------------------------------------------------The X is gone but the WMI still does not workHelp!PS I'm running Vista Basic

Never mind, I did a system restore that FAILED but it workedwindows vista has way too many bugs!

people are not listening. this supposed "fix" regarding adding Local Service as an administrator does not address the underlying problem. it merely addresses one of the symptoms, if you can even call it that.if you don't mind the security issues that come with it, then go ahead and enjoy not having a red x because everything else will be the same. but know that you deserve whatever problems arise from that.in the meantime, i'm not-so-patiently waiting for someone with real knowledge of the OS to propose a fix.

I agree with muur_nick ..... this isn't a small spread problem.... as there's 20+ pages of people reporting the same damn problem. This problem is still ocurring and was originally reported back in February. Do the people at Microsoft even LOOK at this forum for problems they need to look into - or do customers just try and fix the problems themselves? ....a multi-billion dollar company with it's several thousand employees cannot replicate this error???? Go figure.

OK....after fightning through the AIM 6.5 / Server execution error thing, and using the command-line fix for that, I decided to see if I could come up with a fix for any of the security concerns that have been posted here. So to start, I wanted to look at what available groups were pre-configured in Vista Home Premium. Only, no Local Users and Groups show up in MMC. I can see them under a command line, so I know Localgroup exists and is functioning. Common wisdom says click on "file" -> "add/remove snap-in" and add the local users and groups module. Problem is, Add/Remove Snap-In is not in the menu in my MMC. Is this another "Home Premium/Safe Mode/Administrator" thing? Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?.......

Nevermind......I answered my own question. I tried to create a new management console from scratch, and when I got to the point of adding in Local users/groups, I got an error that since I was "using Windows Vista Home Premium, this snap in is not allowed. To manage users and groups, use the Users and groups icon in control panel." That's all well and good, but it doesn't give you access to security groups and system created groups, so you can't fix any of those security holes without resorting to command line instructions, and trial and error. What a crock of ***. Microsoft can take my MCSE and shove it. I'm going to work at the Apple store, while I work on my Red Hat cert.

i can confirm that after i:uninstalled AIM (and everything that came with it such as Viewpoint)turned UAC onrebootedreinstalled AIM 6.5ran AIMeverything went back to the way it was just before the problem occurred. i make this distinction because in the days beforehand every time i started my computer Starforce (cd verification service that comes with certain programs) displayed an error saying my drivers were out of date; when the problem started the error message went away. Maybe they're related, but more likely, this was just a symptom of the problem.now Steam games work, whereas they did not with the supposed "fix" that compromised security by adding Local Service as an administrator. this gives me a lot of hope that the problem is gone for good. i will be uninstalling AIM; if the problem comes back i will edit this post.i am still very dissatisfied with this solution even though it appears to be a real solution. i expected far more from Microsoft and AOL in terms of them addressing this issue expeditiously. at some point i expect an answer as to how the hell this happened in the first place... but i won't hold my breath.*note: the problem did not go away until i actually ran AIM, not after it was installed. this seemed odd to me. maybe someone else with more experience can make heads or tails of it. also, i did have the latest windows update patch installed (i believe it came out on november 13th). it might or might not have made a difference - i don't know, but i figured i'd list everything i have changed lately. i hope this was helpful, this bug has annoyed me for 3 weeks. moral of the story: GET PIDGIN OR ANOTHER MESSENGER PROGRAM!

The fix listed in this link solved my issue on two separate Vista Home laptops. You need to get to a command prompt by going to Run and typing 'cmd'. In the DOS window type the following to fix your problem: net localgroup "administrators" "local service" /add Once you get the indication that the command completed successfully, reboot. As soon as I reached a desktop the red x was replaced by the blue diamond (feel like I am talking about Lucky Charms...) and all services related to the Local Service should begin to function normally. The Network and Sharing Center, the ability to connect to wireless networks and the system resources are all funtioning on both. Thank you for the link.

290 days later and still no *real*fix.

so this worked... 1. Uninstall AIM 2. Turn UAC on. 3. Reboot 4. DL aim 5. Run aim 6. Reboot .....server connection showing properly now. We should be paid for finding solutions for microsoft.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------We should be paid for finding solutions for microsoft.--------------------------------------------------------------------------Yes, but we don'tanyway after I uninstalled aim the network and sound icons disappeared and when I went into the settings to enable them again, I couldn'tThank you microsoft

Hey I know its been a long time since you posted this but when I was looking for a solution to the problem after trying many things this finally worked. So thanks a lot! it was bugging the *** outta me lol. EDIT: The AIM fix worked for me this time so yeah everyone try that it seems to work well. ALSO!!! If you already did the cmd line fix net localgroup localservice /add, you can remove it and the security issue it causes simply by typing in the command net localgroup localservice /delete. So Thanks aain for everyone who has put time into trying to help on these forums and thanks Joson for getting involved. It was just users for too long (since february), but at least microsoft got involved eventually.

i can confirm that the following process fixes the problem: (1) uninstall AIM and viewpoint (2) turn on UAC (3) reinstall AIM (4) run AIM Maybe 5-10 seconds after running aim back it showed all of the symptoms disappeared and it connected right to my wireless network. This is probalby why AOL couldn't reproduce the problem. They probably have UAC turned on on all of their test machines. Has this been reported on the AOL beta forums yet?

Has ANYBODY bothered to try Amanda's suggestion? I personally haven't yet but am about to, but noone else has given any feedback on her idea. The update sounds very recent and when I read the description, it appeared to be targeted towards our problem. This really could be a proper fix because if theoretically MS replaced the local service fix with a redesigned Authority/service that is non-local and thus intruder free, then we could possibly have the solution seeing as the local fix worked. Thus, the security hole problem and AIM problems could potentially be solved. I'm about to install this update and reboot my computer...I'll let you guys know how it is when I'm on the other side...On a side note: I originally did the typical local service fix until recently discovering the security risks of that decision: I just now DELETED the local service group from the admin section, and the AIM problem still seems to be fixed! Of course, I haven't rebooted my computer yet, but music plays, network shows, computer RAM and processor info shows, and all else is normal. Could it be that you can just add local service to make the fix to the AIM problem and then delete local service to avoid security issues? Feedback highly recommended to this notion.

AmandaLynn79 wrote: 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 :-) oh yea....Amanda said this... PEOPLE READ MY POST ABOVE THIS

I'm having the same issues with my Toshiba laptop. I'm running Vista Home Edition 32bit and i'm getting "Server Execution Failed" error. Although it shows an icon that i'm NOT connected to the internet, I am regardless. I can still browse the internet or anything related. I just can't connect to new networks. Is this issue going to be fixed? This is ridiculous.

I am having the same problem after installing AIM on my computer. I checked my event logs and found an error stating: The Network List Service service terminated with the following error: Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service. My wireless is working but I get the "Server Execution Failed" error and I have a RedX at the bottom of my screen when i put my cursor over my network connection. I found a fix for this issue. After installing this patch my network is back to normal again. Here is the link to download and install the fix: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941649 Hope this helps with your problem. Nick

I bet you are having sound problems, media player will not play movies, and network shows disconnected but still functions???Easiest thing to do...... UNINSTALL AIM 6.5 and all will be fine!!!!!I have heard that AIM 5.9 works. I have also heard that 6.0 works. I have not tested either. I went back to Trillian.I was trying for days to figure out and when I uninstalled everything was fine.

I uninstalled AIM - 5.9.3 andinstalled the latest AIM 6.5.4.16. Problem vanished!

I already had installed the kb Amanda mentioned earlier, but the problem also appeared to me this morning. I found a way that solved it for me. It was found in another forum: " Well now there's a fix! Thanks to a regular Vista user on Microsoft's TechNet forums, a fix has been found!Here ya go:>>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. " Good luck.

FOR VISTA HOME PREMIUM USERSIf you are recieving the "Connection Status: Unknown Server Execution Failed" message on your Network Icon here is the easiest solution: Click Start and in the search bar enter CMDWhen it pops up right click and click on Run As Administrator when the it comes up enter:net localgroup administrator /add local servicethen reboot. some people have posted saying that this will only work if they start up in safe mode. this wasn't the case for me but it may very well be for you.As for people having trouble with Media player or iTunes the solution is amazingly simple Click Start>Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Sound You should get an Error popping up that asks if you want to disable something or other. Disable is and toyr music will work finei dont have a clue as to why these errors are occuring or why these solutions fix them, but they worked for me

As as been mentioned previously, the fix works to get rid of the error, but it removes capability of Remote Desktop. It also removes the ability for a Xbox 360 to serve as a Media Extender.I have been unable to find any fixes to these issues.

Hey guys, My appologies for not remembering the name of the person that posted the response regarding the CD/DVD rom not working after the 11/15/2007 hotfix from Microsoft. But I just noticed that Microsoft has updated the fix to Version 2 to addresss this CD/DVD rom issue. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941649 Guys, PLEASE don't addLOCAL SERVICE to the administrator group!. Try this hotfix and give us some feedback. It worked for me. I'm curious to know if I'm the only one it worked for. Thanks, Amanda

Yeah guys as tempting as the adding locacl service fix is, it will end up being more dangerous in the end, and ONLY USE IT after you've tried the othert fixes. for some people the patch amanda above me mentioned worked. for me personally, it didnt, but what the tech guy from microsoft said did. so here's that fix that seems to have been met with the most success across all the forums that are talking about this issue. Now for me AIM was the culprit, but apparantly other programs cause it too. So heres the fix for AIM.1) Uninstall AIM.2) Turn UAC on!!!!! (this is important)3) Reinstall AIM with UAC on!4) Turn UAC back off and reboot, the problem should be solved and there is no danger from having AIM on as long as it was installed with UAC on. **NOTE** To make sure this doesnt happen anymore, just make sure to turn UAC back on before installing software or any new AIM updates. This process has seemed to work for most people, but if it doesnt work for you give me feedback so i can work on it more. REMEMBER: only use the local service fix as a last resort and if you are on an unsecured network, such as at a college, doing this fix coulc result in serious security rissks to your computer.

I had that problem too but if you go to control panel and then to sound it will ask something about enhancments and click ok. should fix that. but my network is messed up to.

FIX: The problem here is a permissions issue. The fix is to add the LOCAL SERVICE to the adminisstrators group. Resolution: 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.

ts.hunter87654 wrote: Yeah guys as tempting as the adding locacl service fix is, it will end up being more dangerous in the end, and ONLY USE IT after you've tried the othert fixes. for some people the patch amanda above me mentioned worked. for me personally, it didnt, but what the tech guy from microsoft said did. so here's that fix that seems to have been met with the most success across all the forums that are talking about this issue. Now for me AIM was the culprit, but apparantly other programs cause it too. So heres the fix for AIM.1) Uninstall AIM.2) Turn UAC on!!!!! (this is important)3) Reinstall AIM with UAC on!4) Turn UAC back off and reboot, the problem should be solved and there is no danger from having AIM on as long as it was installed with UAC on. **NOTE** To make sure this doesnt happen anymore, just make sure to turn UAC back on before installing software or any new AIM updates. This process has seemed to work for most people, but if it doesnt work for you give me feedback so i can work on it more. REMEMBER: only use the local service fix as a last resort and if you are on an unsecured network, such as at a college, doing this fix coulc result in serious security rissks to your computer. I'm pretty sure it has been mentioned before in this thread, but I just happened to do the steps in your post. I am very happy to say it worked and everything is back to normal. It even fixed the problem where I couldn't play my Half Life 2 games (hl2.exe) and now I can. God Bless. Joseph

Has anyone tried the new AIM 6.5 Refresh Beta? It is version number 6.5.7.14. It was released Nov. 28. Link here. I was just wondering if it fixed anything, or, if freshly installed, would cause the problem?

ok so for ALL of you with sound problems let me ask this do you have a problem with windows media player,itunes or any multimedia software playing files that are store locally on your computer? because that is what i was having a problem with. and for some reason anything on the internet would work perfectly but local stuff wouldn't. so then i tried restarting and everything and nothing worked of course, removed sound drivers.now what my question to everyone here is that of you with the sound problems are you using itunes and if so which version because i just removed my entire list of songs and readded them and everything is working perfectly, all my media players sound in itunes and everything. so i am wondering if it was just considence or did that really have something to do with it. i have found apple can't seem to make any software for windows properly lately so just trying to narrow the problem down. another thing is some of you might want to check where the sound is being sent to in Playback Devices in your sound properties because in my sister's computer somehow or another it went to Realtek Digital Output and so it really messed things up.

I'm new to the forum here, but I have many of the issues all of you have mentioned previously. Knowing all of the "Windows" versions since 2.0, there is 1 major standout problem with Vista vs. any other version as of yet, which is the full integration of the WMI architecture to the actual subsys of the OS. Not to mention turning 'Windows Update' into an application, which is also going to be the biggest mistake since XP before SP1 and 2. I have no fixes for any or all of my issues as of yet, but I will soon, if I can 'dig' deep enough into some of the libraries. If anyone out there has an idea about 'the where and when' ofthe original WMI problems which started with the network icon, please feel free to email me.Any info given may help me tohelp everyone here apply a fix which doesn't involve rolling back or re-installs.

I havea Dell notebook 1501 I got back in Februarayand I have Vista Home Premium and I have the same problem. I know its not from AIM because my cousin have the SAME exact computer as me and they both have AIM installed and theres works fine.I never had Yahoo IM installed but Trillion for a little while. Maybe its something we all installed on our computer. I have Firefox.........IDK what could be causeing it?? email me if you have any new info techdude274@hotmail.com Thanks Regards , Taylor

It says the same thing for me.

NO DON'T UNISTALL ANYTHING!!!!!! I had the same problem! You needto go into there website and look for a update for it. It depends in your system. OR you can TRY to searc in the start menu for ATI updater and do that. Let it update and you can play AVI files again (( for me it was Dvd's )) YOU HAVE TO FIND THE UPDATE it also says something under windows update like how to fix ATI driver problem and there will be a link to the exact update Let me know how you make out ^_^

I have a vista home basic and I am having the same problem. The network icon shows "Connection status: Unknown, server execution failed. However, my wireless internet connection is working fine. Previously it showed the connection status. The network and sharing center is frozen. How can I restore default factory settings for the network connection without re-installing windows from scratch. Any help will be appreciated.

I had the same problem as everyone else after accepting an AIM update. I had full access to the internet but lost access to some other programs. I un-installed AIM and Viewpoint, installed AIM 6.5, rebooted the computer. Went to Diagnose and Repair in my network icon in the taskbar and Windows fixed everything.

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.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.

I have not used aim for a long time, used to get viruses from there maybe their chat service. but can't get grand daughter to load yahoo messenger. Right after the download I got the same responses as above. Unfortunately I became comfortable with my machine running well and to keep it zipping along I kept my system restore to nothing. When I tried system restore it would only restore the same day so I didn't do it, figured there would be no benefit, tried going back a few days but would not restore. I sure would like to know what causes this as I cannot use my networking and sharing page as after it takes about 15 minutes to load it is totally frozen, would love to know how to fix but I am not as adept to the computers as you people seem to be, thanks

Try this link on Microsoft support site: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870655 Be careful while following this article since it requires registry modification. I would suggest that you back up the registry before you proceed with any changes. To get information on taking backup of registry, visit the link below: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756 http://www.e-articles.info/e/a/title/Backing-Up-the-Registry-in-Windows-Vista/ I hope this helps.

I found this discussion very helpful, I ran into similar network problems and fixed them with a system restore. My experience suggests that AIM is the culprit-- I installed AIM Pro on Dec 7, and did two system restores before it worked. The key is to restore your system to a version just BEFORE AIM was installed. I installed AIM Pro on Dec 7 and did a restore to that day, which failed to resolve the issue. When I ran another restore to the 6th of December it resolved the problem (VERY good evidence that AIM caused my problem, at least). I am guessing there are other programs that could cause the problem as well, so you may want to get rid of Yahoo Messenger and see if that helps.If you go into the "Remove Programs" dialogue ("Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a Program (under Programs)), you should see the date that the program was installed. Once you know the date, go to the "Backup and Restore Center" and click the link to "System Restore" to start the process. By default it will only show retore points for the past 5 days, but you can click the checkbox to see older ones. Choose a restore point just before Yahoo Messenger (or AOL) was installed. That should work.

same problem fix it microsoft! or buy it back

remove viewpoint software. its garbage anyway. the car companies should be able to produce a 360 view using just flash the lazy bastards on vista home I ran Code Block net localgroup "Administrators" "NT Authority\Local Service" /add and rebooted.. fixed issue

MacGyver37 wrote: 1. I turned UAC back on2. rebooted couldn't log into my account was totally black screen, switched to my wifes account3. installed AIM from the website (which is what caused my problem 100%)4. shortly afterwards maybe 30 seconds my network ICON lost the X and I was able to do things nonmally again.5. 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.OK People I had the same issues as others tried the same fix that puts your computer at risk.I have outlined what I did that fixed the issue without the security risks. Hope that people read this and learn how to fix the same problem with another computer. If you need more info on what I did etc please contact me and I will e-mail you personally, call you or what ever you like but you don't need to open up security holes to fix this problem.

Well...I've had pretty much the same problems as everyone on here...at first I didn't realise they were related, but as more little things went wrong to annoy me I seeked help. This thread has basically helped me, but I thought I would sum up for people how exactly it was solved for me, just in case it will help people in the future, save them some time maybe because i've been at it for around 7 hours, ha, and it is christmas morning ('cos i'm not a loser).. BasicallyI couldn't see a cause before I read this thread but the AIM/ViewPoint thing seems apt because I downloaded that yesterday. Vista is to blame really though..! First thing I managed to sort out was the sound thing....I went into control panel> sound and then had some popup about there being problems with my speakers due to enhancements, did i want to disable the enhancements? Disabling these solved the sound issue. If your computer isn't as on the ball as mine was then go control panel> sound, click on your speakers and hit properties. go to the enhancements tab and check the disable all enhancements box. hopefully should get the audio thing sorted. That was the easy bit for me...the rest of the niggling problems were harder, seeming solutionless! [ i.e. network status being unknown and network and sharing center allowing me to do nothing at all (not even open it), windows defender being disabled and not able to get new definitions, windows just "forgetting" i had antivirus software installed, power options becoming a mission to change ] At this stage I had uninstalled AIM and related programs including Viewpoint media player, so do that now if you haven't already. Then turn User Account Control ON, this should be easy to do, Windows will be nagging you to do it fora start. To do it go to control panel>user accounts>turn user account control on or offand check the box, simple. Windows will require a restart. Now, you may have some issues booting, I couldn't get onto my user account at first, but did alt ctrl del and started task manager and then the users tab and log off. then log on again and should be ok. Now, and this sounds crazy, i only tried it 'cos i had nothing else to try really and some legend (look up) on this thread suggested it, go and download and install AIM! don't bother installing any of the trimmings they want u to, just the AIM! When it's installed run it and log in and that...then log out, close it and uninstall it. (You may want to try not uninstalling it, at this point i thought my attempts at solving the problem had failed and so i just uninstalled it...but to be honest i'm not going to install it again, i really don't NEED it and i don't trust it.) Now you can go and turn user account control off...using the same method as before, but untick the box! Again a restart is required! Now login as per usual and all should be sorted, back to normal! Antivirus and defender are all good, full network recognition and info, windows nagging you that UAC is off, hahaha! Hope this is helpful!

Ok People. I am far from an expert but I think I found a solution to the AIM problem. All I did was download a program called "AIM Ad Hack", (Google search), and let that program do everything. I didn't download AIM. I let AIM Ad Hack do it. I think it installs just AIM. Nothing else. It seems to be working for me (at the moment anyway), hopefully it will work for others. Please let me know how you make out and good luck.

SOLUTION THAT WORKS! )See page 1 of this forum:http://www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server.htmlIt has solutions for Vista Home, as well as other editions.Best of luck.

You guys seriously need to read up on the security risks before running out and doing whatever bright idea you come across first. Some of you are obviously not reading more than a few posts and are not up to speed on what may go wrong. As far as reporting to Microsoft, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If not enough people stand up and say something they're not going to do anything about it. If everyone who posted in all these forums regarding these issues were to contact Microsoft I bet they would take their heads out of their bank books and pay attention.

This solution workedfor the netowrk X...and "server execution failed" message...thanks so much. But I still get hung up if I try to log on to a guest user.These two issues happened at the same time, so I've made the assumption(!) thatthey're related. I get the welcome screen and then it goes blue (not the fabled blue screen of death)... It actuall sat for 10 hours while I was at work.The guest user actually gets logged on, but I don't get a working desktop. The only errormessage I've seenwhen this happens is that microsoft mail can't start.

I have had the same problem on my Gateway ML6230 Vista Basic Notebook. Only this problem occoured after my system was attacked by a virus, and the only way that I could fix it was to install windows on my other disk partition, and then try to fix/recover my files from there, then reinstall Vista on my main disk. And to everyone out there, I strongly advice to stay away from both BearShare and all Softwarepile.com applications. I think the problem occoured with a combination of these two applications, but they both played a role. As with everyone else with this forum, my network says: Connection Status unknown, server execution failed. It has the red x over the icon in the notification area, but it works fine just as I am sitting here replying to this forum. It also takes forever to open the Connect to a Network option and when it finally does, it says that the connection was unsuccessful, but this problem was resolved with a Windows Update. Still, my network does not operate correctly. I do see the need for further investigation into this problem. Thanks.

I have also noticed that many of the people that have reported this problem have a Veiwpoint Mediaapplication installed. Could be some sililarity.........

HOLY $HIT!!!! I have figured out a way to fix some of the problems associated with this discussion!!! To be exact, I have solved the problem of the "Connect To" Dialogue being slow and/or unresponsive, and the same with "Network And Sharing Center". This will work with Windows Vista Home Basic. I am able to play files, thought I nevercompletely lost the ability to do so. I HAVE NOT solved the problem about the Notification Area "red x" Though, you can see the status and other important options from the "Connect To" dialogue. ***I would reccoment that you are connected to the internet while you perform this task. Please read the entire post to make sure that no steps or precautions are missed.*** -First, open Administrative Tools, and go to Services -Second, Find Network List Service and right click toopen properties. -Third, go to the Log On tab. From there, you will see that it is selected to start from "This account" and dislpays the account (I can't remember what it was), and gives a long password. -Fourth,simlpy change it to Local System account, and select, "allow service to interact with desktop" -Fifth, go to Recovery, and the "Subsequent Failures," and set it to Restart the Service -Sixth, apply the changes And thats it!! There is no need to restart your computer, and so far it has worked flawlessly for me. Please let me know how this works for you. You can email me at CorvetteKidC6@windstream.net, please make the subject something that I would know it is about this problem, otherwise, I will not read it. ***I must note that I was only messing around with the service whenI did this, and did not try to open the "Connect To" Dialogue for some time. I would reccomend that you give the system some time to adapt to the changes, and to perform this while you are connected to the internet.*** Thanks!!! Hope this will work for you!!

It has been an year since I first posted this topic. I had no idea it would get THIS far. So far I've been happy with my previous version of AIM but recently decided to install the latest. Guess what? Same problem. I honestly am in shock to find that after one whole year America Online has NOT patched this issue. Historically speaking it is the worst Windows damage an application has ever caused me, far worse than any virus or spyware I may have had. And now that I decided to google it in hopes that it may be more known now than it was today and I find whole blog posts and forum questions I realise the full extent of this bug. Any version above AIM 6.5.3.12 beta will cause the same problem as AIM 5.9.Does Microsoft have a Quality Control or signature check system which approves applications for use with Windows Vista? If so, I think Microsoft should withdraw their approval on AIM for running on Vista since it causes serious problems, and after an year no action was taken to mitigate the problem. I find this nothing short of ignorance, directly impacting the quality of AIM. And this bug for me is keeping AIM under the standard of what a Vista-compatible app should be. I do not understand why users need to have UAC activated to shield themselves from the damage it causes.

I finally read through this entire thread, and I would like to say that I also experienced this problem a while back and i first tired the temp work around (highly not recommend due to the security risk). I rwould also like to ecommend that its not necessary because the problem definitely is the AIM installation, but like Amanda stated it can be fixed by installing it with UAC. This way works perfectly, I tested multiple scenerios and install AIM with UAC works fine and after restarting the computer it will continue to work perfectly if u turn UAC off again. I'm thankful for this thread howver Searinox I don't agree with your last comment about Microsoft Quality Control and AIM. Vista should not be so buggy where a simple program like AIM screws so much of vital system services up. Thats a huge vulnerbilty in the scripting of Vista which Microsoft needs to look into. If you notice AIM continues to function properly, thus showing that Microsoft needs to beef up security and bugs on their end.

I haven't experienced issues with Vista, and what I've experienced with AIM is one-of-a-kind. Were it Vista's fault I'd have expected other programs to mess it up aswell but having almost 200 programs and games installed on my system, of which none have caused such an issue, I cannot think that AIM is truly the one to blame. I think the only reason UAC is protecting the system is because it's keeping AIM from making administrative changes that it shouldn't be supposed to be making in the first place.I have no understanding of what exactly it is that AIM is installing and if it's tearing at Vista's core so badly I have to ask what on earth is this simple IM program installing at such a low-level that it disrupts Vista so badly? A bug of Vista, yes, it may be. But AOL has no excuse for not patching this widely-known problem, discussed over the internet on so many boards, after ONE WHOLE YEAR. As for what Microsoft should do, well if it's indeed their problem they should at least have a Knowledge Base article on it. I had already reported this issue to their tech support when I first encountered it, complete with the solution. I will contact AOL about it today via email. Hopefully they will respond in coherent english...

...and they didn't.

Hey, I was just wondering if any one has tried downloading RC1 of Vista Service pack 1, and if they have, have they tried downloading and installing AIM? I am very curious about this. I have SP1 RC1 on my laptop, but have not yet tried installing AIM. Any takers? My laptop got jacked a few months ago and so did my Girlfriends, on mine I just reimaged my laptop with my most recent image because i have Vista Business, on my girlfriends I did not want to create a security hole and I had turned off System Restore, so I ended up having to rebuild her computer.

Im sorry. I dont understand what the solution is. I looked everywhere and could not find it. Can some one help me? I too installed Symantec Ghost version 12 and it would not complete the installation after reboot and gave me a E1AD3212 error along with a permissions error. Uninstall anda restore both failed to remedy the situation. I found nothing about this on Symantec's web site also and I see this post. I am running windows xp. Thanks, Aaron

saaron, I think you accidentally posted on the wrong thread. This thread is dealing with a Vista specific issue, not XP.

Did you guys ever solve this issue, I am having the same problem to the T.Chris

Thanks for taking the time to contact them. I am shocked they have done nothing. I don't use AIM very often but recently got a video cam and want to video chat with my sister who has a Mac (AIM is able to video chat with a Mac.) So, when I ran the AIM yesterdayit prompted me to do the mandatory security update. I did...and then everything went bad. Since I have had so many problems with Vista I bought Acronis and an external hard drive so when Windows Restored failed LIKE IT ALWAYS DOES... I was able to restore my entire pc image from my external drive. But now what... I'm still not rolling with AIM and I want to try out my new cam. Don't know what to do... I am shocked this problem still exists after a year!

Just to pass this along. I went aheadenabled UACand then loaded AIM and installed the update. Everything is fine - no problems... so this worked!

welp, nothing is working for me; AIM reinstall, UAC, etc -- and i don't want anadmin security hole.so i'm gearing up for a time consuming backup of all my files, reformat, and reinstall of vista. this sucks. i wish everyone this problem has ever affected could flood microsoft and AOL with calls, letters, strikes, civil disobedience -- just make a human chain aroundtheir headquarters, "fix windows vista, we're all getting pissta!" ok no. o_O but seriously, this is some real BS. :>/

I am having almost identical problems. The red 'x' over the network icon, internet works, no music/movie files I have downloaded will play, I put in a DVD and it always freezes at the start menu, and no sound. I have Windows Vista Home Basic, so the My Computer>Manage> System Tools, etc etc does not work for me, nor did the safe mode>command prompt stuff! What is the solution if any????? Is there a way to uninstall Vista and install XP???

It is confirmed - the issue still occurres on Vista RC Refresh. Service Pack 1 WILL NOT FIX this issue!

Well... I guess all we can do then is hope that the fix somehow makes its way into the final of SP1, although I don't put much hope in that, as it has already been ONE YEAR.... ridiculous. Or maybe it will come in a later update... Hopefully the Microsoft guy on here will be able to do what needs to be done to correct the issue. I am thank that at least one employee from Microsoft is aware of the issue.

I think it's AOL who needs to be told the severity of the issue their IM is causing. As such, I will continue to pressure them with emails, since this very serious issue affects a considerable number of Vista systems.

-= Post Removed by Autho r=- Did notice how many pages of comments where in this thread. Only read the first 5.

Well, Scooter23....Obviously you did not read this thread all the way through, because if you did you would have seen that solution listed probably 8 times. Also, it is not a solution, but more of a workaround, because by elevating the security level of the service, you are giving it administrative access to your computer, meaning that if a hacker figures out a way to exploit the service, he has complete access to your computer. Does your solution still sound like a good answer?

Jebstyle, Thank you for pointing that out, I have retracted my post.

This osunds similar to my problem. The network icon has a red x over it and my networks works ok, but slow connection sometimes.

well my problem is fixed, it wasnt so bad after all, today i upgraded from 512mb ddr2 to 2bg ddr2, and its alot faster, butawhile agoi had changed the service log on to a network service, and that fixed the problems of the connect to screen as well as network and sharing center not responding and be sluggish, but i was just messing around with it todayand i fixed it. If you followed the steps that i used to correct unresponsive windows then you would get error code 1079: proccess is different that other running in same proccess. I switched it back to a local service, and suddenly, no more red ex, and my network is working the way that it should. Maybe all you have to do it re-set the log on account, but idk, i changed too many variables when my system was experiencing "server execution failed" hope this helps

blueshot wrote: FIXED! At least for me. I had already taken care of the multimedia issue by reinstalling the Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 drivers, but I still had all of the network issues described in this forum. To finally fix the network problems all I did was add the Local Service account to the Administrators group. I'm sure there is some particular file access or registry key access issue that I could have fixed directly and maybe I'll try to find the particular corrupted security settingat a later date. Just in case you need it here are the steps I took... >>Right click "Computer">>Click "Manage">>Double click "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. Hopefully this will fix it for everyone. If anyone finds the exact file(s) or registry key(s) that needed the permissions modified I'd be interested to know. This worked first time for me. Spot on!

Absolutely - AIM caused the error but it's Microsoft's fault because it's installed on their operating system! Sorry but I fail to see your logic. How is it Microsoft's problem when the AIM installtion is what has hosed it up???

I had another solution to this problem. This problem seem to be linked with wireless devices/connections. I used the Ethernet port instead. When I plugged in my ethernet wire, it restored the internet connection problem and it restored the System Information. I can see my Index Rating again. Next, I disabled my bluetooth, ethernet card, and uninstalled the wifi card. Reinstall the WiFi card and everything works normally with bluetooth and ethernet disabled. I am using a TX1320us laptop. Please tell me if this solution work for you.

thank you so much ive been searching for a solution for a while and this is the first one that worked Thank You!!!!!

JLarkin wrote: Tool2Die4 wrote: paul.a wrote: I'm running Vista Home Basic, in which localhost was not available. I had success with the following: Boot Windows to Safe Mode. From the command prompt, enter net localgroup Administrators LocalService /add Verify using net localgroup Administrators Restart Windows normally.This would work for me only in Safe Mode. It seems to have fixed the network and media issues. However, now I find that my Guest user account won't startup fully -- don't know if it's related to what I did. fixed my "connection status unknown" problem. great work. thanks a bunch. Worked for me too. Thanks a lot! Use this one! It's the only one that has worked for me.

Hurley, That solution made my laptop unable to find my router, created new issues, and the system information still doesnt work. It worked for me too but I was not satisfied. Pluggin your laptop using the ethernet connection first will restore everything to the way it was. There is a Microsoft Patch that you need to download before doing this procedure. The patch addressed this issue but when it is applied, it doesnt seem to fix any problem yet it does! If you do the Ethernet routine.

I have come across a solution. I had installed Trillain and AIM just prior to the problem occuring. Even though I had uninstalled these programs, the problem was still there. I also uninstalled the VISTA SP1, but this also had no effect. Then I came across an article in hxxp://www.zolved.com/synapse/view_content/28072/Server_connection_failed_in_Windows_Vista that referred to this problem and the solution available at Update for Windows Vista (KB929451) hxxp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?amp;displaylang=en&familyid=c585e831-41fd-40bd-8923-e542eb7a1b8a&displaylang=en I am now going to try this fix and let you all know of it's success. I posted this info now as I do not know if the result will be successful or not and I might lose my connection altogether.

I just read through the entire thread. I installed the latest version of AIM last night on my laptop (so I could do webcam chats with others since Trillian's webcam feature doesn't work at all) and noticed the red "x" with "server execution failed". The temporary (and dangerous) workarounds involving the addition of "Local Service" and "Network Service" to the Administrators group only fixed a small part of the problem, and opened up a major security hole. No XP WMI fixes worked. I just can't believe this problem is almost a year old. I missed my classes today because I stayed up all night trying to fix this stupid problem. I am now doing a full backup and re-installation of Windows Vista, making all of that effort for nothing. Unfortunately I need webcam conference capability; I might try the UAC thing (after imaging my hard drive with Acronis TrueImage first). More than likely I'm going buy WebcamXP for my webcam and use AIM in a virtual machine (to view webcams). So in the end I have to spend $80 on a Webcam program and use another license for Windows in a Virtual Machine *just* so I can webcam chat because of this problem. This "red x problem" shouldhave an official name and have an entry in Wikipedia. In the meantime I betterdo an image of my desktop computer as well, as I neverknew Windows Vista was this fragile and Microsoft/AOL could take this long toresolve a problem.

SWAndersen wrote: From command prompt as administrator : net localhost Administrators /add Local Service then do a : net localhosts Administrator and NT Local Service should be listed. Reboot and all is well. Completely fizxed my problem - I can go into network and sharing center without hangs and I can change network options - Oh Boy !!! I did NOT run the WMI fix detailed below and all seems to work fine!!! Good Luck!! Scott The first commandline does not work - it returns a help message with syntax information for the Net command, which as best I can tell, has not a single thing to do with the syntax here....

jlpilkin wrote: I might try the UAC thing (after imaging my hard drive with Acronis TrueImage first). Try the UAC it worked for me. Ispecifically wanted AOLfor video chat because my sister hasa Mac. Good idea to use Acronis True Image first. Ihad a PC image on an external drive(using Acronis)so when the "red x" showed up I restored andwas up and running finein about 20 mintues. Then Iturned onthe UAC and reinstalled AOL and everythingwas fine - and still is fine. Sandy

That did it! I have been following this thread for hours trying to get this worked out. Had the same issues as everyone else.. red "x" and clicking on it only froze up the machine. YAY!!! It's fixed!! Thanks everyone!!!!

After spending a couple of hours reading this entire thread I used the solution of uninstalling AIM turning UAC back on then rebooting and then reinstalling AIM and all problems were fixed. The red X, not able to use media player, Sidebar hanging and system info not reporting all returned to normal. John

Searinox Navras wrote: I have recieved Windows Vista Business edition as part of my college's MSDNAA program. I am having a problem which pops up every now and again, though I think I am beginning to narrow down its causes.At some point the network icon will go off - it will display me as disconnected. Holding my mouse over it the popup says "connection status: unknown server execution failed". At the same time with that, my windows experience index will stop appearing in windows' system properties window, the network center freezes, my ATI driver's control app refuses to start, and if I change my sound driver the sound icon goes dead aswell. Also, if I try to install windows by repairing my current installation it will freeze at 52%. The problem is only reversable via system restore.The network itself works fine, as does the sound. The problems seem completly unrelated and are actually pointing to something more complex than simply a network problem. However, I have noticed it happen under curious circumstances: after using yahoo messenger for a while it happens. After the issue is reversed via system restore if yahoo is started up again, explorer will freeze for a few seconds, then the problem will strike again. I have uninstalled yahoo and deleted its leftover program files, appdata files, programdata files, and registry entries. The problem was fixed. I blamed it on using a modified version called yahoo multi messenger because I needed to be online on 2 accounts at the same time. Back then I didn't know I could fix my problem with SR so I just reinstalled all of windows from scratch.Then a few days ago I installed trillian to use it as a substitute for yahoo. I had no problems at first. Then as I left 2 yahoo accounts run at once a few hours ago, it struck again. System restore repaired it again.I am currently interested in why this problem is occuring and what server execution failed is supposed to be because my network works just fine, but part of windows doesn't know that it is, and why it will mess up just so much of my system. If there are any ways to debug or troubleshoot this I am willing to go as deep into windows' infrastructure as it takes because it is a highly frustrating problem. Also, if you require any additional information about my hardware/software configuration I will gladly offer.Thank you in advance. If are receiving the following error message: Connection status: Unknown Server execution failed error message Follow these simple steps to resolve it: 1. Go to Start -> Run 2. type in cmd and click ok 3. copy and paste this into the run window Net localgroup Administrators localservice /add 4. delete your temporary internet files and restart your computer i found that on another site, as i was having the same issues..... im certain it will work for you as well

I have been pulling my hair out over this issue. Believe it or not, AIM is the culprit for my instance. If you go to Control Panel, Sound, double click the speakers that are active, this brings you to properties, go to the Enhancements tab, and make sure there isA CHECK in the "Disable all sound effects" box. You wont be able to have effects but at least itbrings sound back. I'm sure someone will come up with a better solution soon. However my network is still working, though it does say "Server Execution Failed" which is making my buggy and slowing my connections down. I'll be patient for now. Give me a shout if anyone knows how to repair this. Thanks guys.

Searinox Navras wrote: I have recieved Windows Vista Business edition as part of my college's MSDNAA program. I am having a problem which pops up every now and again, though I think I am beginning to narrow down its causes.At some point the network icon will go off - it will display me as disconnected. Holding my mouse over it the popup says "connection status: unknown server execution failed". At the same time with that, my windows experience index will stop appearing in windows' system properties window, the network center freezes, my ATI driver's control app refuses to start, and if I change my sound driver the sound icon goes dead aswell. Also, if I try to install windows by repairing my current installation it will freeze at 52%. The problem is only reversable via system restore.The network itself works fine, as does the sound. The problems seem completly unrelated and are actually pointing to something more complex than simply a network problem. However, I have noticed it happen under curious circumstances: after using yahoo messenger for a while it happens. After the issue is reversed via system restore if yahoo is started up again, explorer will freeze for a few seconds, then the problem will strike again. I have uninstalled yahoo and deleted its leftover program files, appdata files, programdata files, and registry entries. The problem was fixed. I blamed it on using a modified version called yahoo multi messenger because I needed to be online on 2 accounts at the same time. Back then I didn't know I could fix my problem with SR so I just reinstalled all of windows from scratch.Then a few days ago I installed trillian to use it as a substitute for yahoo. I had no problems at first. Then as I left 2 yahoo accounts run at once a few hours ago, it struck again. System restore repaired it again.I am currently interested in why this problem is occuring and what server execution failed is supposed to be because my network works just fine, but part of windows doesn't know that it is, and why it will mess up just so much of my system. If there are any ways to debug or troubleshoot this I am willing to go as deep into windows' infrastructure as it takes because it is a highly frustrating problem. Also, if you require any additional information about my hardware/software configuration I will gladly offer.Thank you in advance. If are receiving the following error message: Connection status: Unknown Server execution failed error message Follow these simple steps to resolve it: 1. Go to Start -> Run 2. type in cmd and click ok 3. copy and paste this into the run window Net localgroup Administrators localservice /add 4. delete your temporary internet files and restart your computer i found that on another site, as i was having the same issues..... im certain it will work for you as well Avoid that fix as much as possible. It leaves a major security hole in Windows' permissions system.

THAT dit it !!!!Thanks a Zillion !!!!Thought I was gonna have to "upgrade" to XP !!!!

This update seems to have fixed the problem for me. AIM was the application that started the problem, so I'm not running it any longer on my system.

well i got the issue when i got aim and then restarted for some reason and the issue was here, since i have fixed the issue i have used aim and have not run into the issue again..... so i do not believe aim has anything to do with it.

Hey all.I used the fix of "Follow these simple steps to resolve it: 1. Go to Start -> Run 2. type in cmd and click ok 3. copy and paste this into the run window Net localgroup Administrators localservice /add 4. delete your temporary internet files and restart your computer" And it did not work. I however used a different fix that worked. -Uninstall AIM -Enable UAC (Go through MSconfig) -Reinstall AIM (REQUIRED) -Run AIM (ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED!)-Should all work fine!!I am however wondering, do I need to reverse the first command fix that I tried? I know it's a major secuirty flaw. How do i reverse it if I need to?Thanks,Alex.

You know, I absolutely hate this. I never used any kind of IM services before. Just today I decided to get AOL IM to talk with a friend that moved. As soon as I installed it on my Vista Home Premium machine I have all the problems listed previously, ie. red x, cant play movies, no system info, etc. What is really unbelievable is how this is not patched yet! I'm running SP1 so this didnt include any patches. Being that I refuse to open a security threat I'm pretty much screwed as I have system restore disabled. Call me crazy but I never imagined an IM service would ruin my computer to the point of having to reformat. Fucking garbage. How one program can cause SO MANY PROBLEMS is beyond me, but I know it gave me a migrane. Thanks AIM and Vista for all the finger pointing back and forth and leaving all your customers holding their cocks. I cant even reformat as I have like 30 GB's of games that I dont want to redownload/reinstall. I seriously hope AOL goes bankrupt and the founder gets anal herpes.

i've madea post a couple pages back but damn, i don't think i made myself as clear as u have. Seriously, wtf gives? why after so fucking long has nothing been done to fix this issue? not even the slightest communication with customers letting them know the issue is under research... something. ***, i gotta do the whole reformat *** myself too, but have been holding out cuse i just dont wanna fucking have to do that ***. good thing i have a laptop i can quickly upload all 18GB of *** i need to backup..... if only every single customer of both AOL and Microsoft could boycott all of their products for a while, spontansously. even the big wigs would get hit hard. it would be perfect if everyone from this forum could flood microsoft headquarters and/or aol with phone calls. imagine every operator in a microsoft office building answering phone calls to the effect of, "hey u cocks my computer is doing x because of y, fix this ***. click" x 100 people for 24 hours. the messege would climb the ladder....................*** it

The same issue just started today. I am using Vista Home Basic on a HP Pavillion Entertainment laptop I purchased in South Korea. I'm having the same media problems and the network problems. My network's actually been having some problems before all this started happening- it would turn off and back on, but the red x was never there until today. I also use AIM but I use MSN Live also, but no Firefox. I really hope we can get this fixed soon!

I think it is something like net localgroup "Administrator" "Local Service"/add May not be exact but its close..... I will try yo get the exact command done.

protecting my identityprotecting my identitythank you

hi Ihave vista 32 bit home premium edition and i tried to do what you have explained and i dont have the "Local Users and Groups" option on my display, what can i do to get it to appear.

Got the same problem twice. in two weeks. I was able to fix the X on the network icon but not the infos on system information. So I reformated using a backup the I had of October 2007. Everything was fine, didnt installe any other programs than vidoe card drivers........2 days after, same thing append. I managa to fix the X again but not the system infos......What is causing that s****.

i didnt install aim until after this mes started for me. i had windows messenger installed from day one (2 days after christmas) and yahoo for a good month now with no problems. i don't think messengers are to blame. also, i've never lost ability to play media files. i can connect to networks wirelessly,can open the network connections window, bot not access network and sharing center.. i'm chalking it up to another vista bug like the one that makes icons disappear from the notification area. vista is haunted and microsoft is the only priest available for excorcism. meanwhile we play the waiting game..

Thanks. worked for me. I can't believe Aim still hasn't fixed this problem

I found another solution here:http://www.zolved.com/synapse/view_content/28072 There is a hotfix on that page that doesn't seem to work, however from the comments on that site: Posted by: seandaman646_1499 at 13 Nov 00:22 permalink That fix did not work for me. This one did however:1. Go to Start > Run > cmd2. Copy/paste the following and hit your Enter key:Net localgroup Administrators localservice /add3. Reboot your computer. Good luck, Matthew

JERiv17 wrote: im trying this (after several failed hot fixes): http://www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server.htmlAfter combing through 18 or so pages of this thread and trying various methods to fix my issues, this solution fixed all of my problems with everything that was not working properly in Vista Ultimate x64.Over the last few of months I had a couple of minor issues. Media sharing stopped working and the Security Center couldn't see either my Antivirus program or Windows Defender. I tried finding solutions to these issues but had no luck. I decided to just live with them since this machine is dual-booted with XP Professional and the media sharing still worked just fine there. My hope was that these were known bug/problems and would be addressed with Service Pack 1.After updating yesterday to Service Pack 1, every time Vista would boot, the COM+ Event System Service would stop, causing an error. Once fully booted, the network icon showed no connection. Roll the mouse pointer over it and showed "No Network: Server Execution Failed" even though I was connected to the internet. If I tried to go into the Network and Sharing Center, it would not show anything of the network at all, and the Network Store Interface Service would keep stopping and restarting (generating error messages/reports each time) until I closed the Network Center window.As I said above, all of these issues have been solved, both the pre- and post-SP1 issues, and I am much happier with Vista now.I didn't realize that all of these items could have possibly been related.

Well, count me down as another Vista user with this problem. I had this problem last year on my Vista Laptop RIGHT after installing AIM. I did a system restore and never reinstalled AIM and never had a problem again.Last week I bought me a brand new Dell Inspiron 530 (desktop) with Vista Home Premium. Yesterday, I installed AIM and BOOM all the symptons re-appeared (couldn't play .mp3 files, Network had a big X through it). Well, I did a sytem restore again just like last year and everything is ok.WHY hasn't Vista fixed this? I've spent all morning looking at all these threads... There has to be thousands of people with this problem.I guess the only way to be safe with Vista - turn on UAC (restart.....) install program and then turn off UAC (restart.....).I love Microsoft (I have Office 2007, Microsoft Wireless Entertainment keyboard 7000, etc...). But what is this?! Come on... There has to be a simple fix for this on Microsofts' end. Very upsetting.

I have found a fix for this problem on another website. The site is http://www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server.htmlThere was a fix listed for VISTA Business and VISTA HomeHerte's the Business fix:Old 03-04-2007, 03:30 PM #1SugarD-xIE7 Pwns All...SugarD-x's AvatarJoin Date: Feb 2006Location: Sacramento, California USAPosts: 1,035SugarD-x will become famous soon enoughSugarD-x will become famous soon enoughSend a message via ICQ to SugarD-x Send a message via AIM to SugarD-x Send a message via MSN to SugarD-x Send a message via Yahoo to SugarD-x Send a message via Skype to SugarD-x Exclamation Vista giving you a Server Execution Failed?Well now there's a fix! Thanks to a regular Vista user on Microsoft's TechNet forums, a fix has been found!Here ya go:>>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.Remember, all credit goes to BlueShot @ Microsoft TechNet Forums!Here's the home fix. It worked perfectly for me. I just typed the command into the "Run..." command on the start menu.docinventorI'm new, don't flame meJoin Date: Jul 2007Posts: 1docinventor can only hope to improve SmileBuilding on BlueShot's fix focused on business Vista, there is now a simple fix for Vista Home users, as well, for the "server execution error" and red "x" over the wireless networking icon.Simply run a command prompt as an administrator (right-click on it and click "Open as Administrator") then enter the following command line:net localgroup "Administrators" "NT Authority\Local Service" /addThat should do it. We should thank God for the each other because Microsoft sure has no F-ing idea what they are doing yet.docinventorP.S.- please distribute this to other groups...

In the immortal words of Gomer Pyle, Thank you, thank you, thank you! I had the exact same issue on my Sony Laptop and their support staff told me to do a complete System Recovery... Not a System Restore, a full recovery back to the way it was out of the box. I'm glad you guys posted this fix. Saved my life... or at least several days of it.

My playback of mediafiles is "lagging" every 50-70 second when connected with my WiFi card. Have no AOL/AIM releated application on my laptop. Discovered that problem disapered when turning WiFi card off. Thanks for Slaynx suggestion. I'll try it since I'm not any user of AIM but even though have the problem of playing mediafiles while connected to my wireless network. Have no problem with sound when wireless adapter is turned off on laptop. Realy tempted to go for the "easy" fix on including the localservice to the administrator group, but since there isso manysecurity warnings in this thread regarding that fix, I'll go for Slaynx suggestion. Will it be any idea to turn AUC off under the reinstall of WiFi card? My laptop is used on different WiFi net's, will that be an issue that can make this problem to appear again after reinstalling the WiFi card? I realy do think that the problem is more general than just to the AOL releated applications. Had hoped that Vista SP1 should solve this problem, but it doesn't seem like this will be fixed by MS. /// It's also good knowledge to know when you don't know ///

If you are not getting any "server execution failed" messages, and do not have AIM installed, nobody and nothing in this thread can be of help since it is not a related problem.

Ok so that whole right-clicking on computer-->manage and moving local service to administrator thing works.(page 9) Also, moving "service" to administrators, which solved the WMI problem in the same fashion works. (page 14) I kinda stopped reading after that and left it at that for a while, butthen I came back and found that there is the UAC method.(page 21) Before I do the UAC method I want to undo the first method. So where were local service and plain ol' "service" located before I moved them to administrator? Has anyone heard if the UAC method fixes the WMI problem?

I just ran into this issue with my Vista business. I WOULD SAY THE ROOT CAUSE IS DEFINITELY NOT AIM because I don't even have AIM installed. I don't know how this problem appeared for me. But I'm pretty sure something went wrong during my 3 hours of work:- was working with Visual Studio on an ASP.NET project. I encountered several crashes with visual studio and had to kill process.- was messing around IIS7(tweaking authentication) and giving admin rights to the "NETWORK SERVICE" & "IUSR" account in "Local Users And Groups".Everything before this was working fine. Media player played fine(was listening to music at the time of doing the above). Network icon appeared fine. Then I rebooted my machine after 3 hours of working with Visual Studio and IIS7. When it came back, I got this red-x on the network icon. Media player went dead. And I got the Network Listing Service error.Yes. Adding either "SERVICE" or "LOCAL SERVICE" to admin group fixes this issue.From this thread, majority of people say that it's related to AIM. But in my case, I don't have any AOL related software installed.

Ramzypro wrote: Jedi2155 wrote: Well at least it solves my problem for the time being until there is a proper fix. It was getting really annoying.http://www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server.html now there's a fix! Thanks to a regular Vista user on Microsoft's TechNet forums, a fix has been found!Here ya go: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 nowClick "Ok"Close Computer Management and reboot.Remember, all credit goes to BlueShot @ Microsoft TechNet Forums! Building on BlueShot's fix focused on business Vista, there is now a simple fix for Vista Home users, as well, for the "server execution error" and red "x" over the wireless networking icon.Simply run a command prompt as an administrator (right-click on it and click "Open as Administrator") then enter the following command line:net localgroup "Administrators" "NT Authority\Local Service" /addThat should do it. We should thank God for the each other because Microsoft sure has no F-ing idea what they are doing yet.docinventorP.S.- please distribute this to other groups...First of all, uninstalling then re-installing AIM with UAC disabled or enabled, and completely uninstalling AIM did not fix this problem either. This problem occurred only after installing SP1, not AIM. From my observations, the ONLY factor that influenced this problem was SP1. Second, adding Local Service as an administrator is just plain stupid. Read http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/guidance/serversecurity/serviceaccount/sspgch02.mspx for more information. Local Service account The Local Service account is a special built-in account that has reduced privileges similar to an authenticated local user account. This limited access helps safeguard the computer if an attacker compromises individual services or processes. A service that runs as the Local Service account accesses network resources as a null session; that is, it uses anonymous credentials. The actual name of the account is NTAUTHORITY\LocalService, and it does not have a password that an administrator needs to manage. TechRepublic also has an article on the subject of the services accounts: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-10877_11-94725.html LocalService account: The LocalService account has minimum rights on the local computer and uses anonymous credentials on the network. This account has reduced privileges and acts in a similar fashion to an authenticated local user account. Use of this account is useful when the LocalSystem account provides too much access for services that do not need deep access to a system. Adding LocalService as an administrator completely defeats the purpose of having a local service account in the first place. This is NOT a solved issue, I see only an insecure workaround that compromises the security of my computer and I will not accept that solution.The symptoms I am experiencing include: Icon for my network showing at the bottom corner of the screen indicating "Connection Status: unknown" and "Server execution failed." Upon booting the system and when attempting to start the Network and Sharing center I receive the error "COM+ Event System has stopped working" and the error "Host Process for Windows Services stopped working and was closed." The Network and Sharing Center says "No such interface supported" under the "Unknown" network.UPDATE: I have also noticed that Windows Live Messenger will not connect as a result of this problem. When attempting a Repair on the Windows Live Sign-In Assistant, Windows Installer gives the error "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable." and asks for an alternate path to "...a folder containing the installation package 'wllogin.msi'..." and does not give me any option to actually repair.As quoted from another thread: http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2582582&SiteID=17. Anyone with any idea what they are doing should realize this is NOT an acceptable solution. Of course the fix is temporary, LocalService is a BUILT-IN ACCOUNT that will restore its permissions TO WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE when left alone.This problem has nothing to do with AIM, as myself and other users that have not installed AIM have had this problem. Reference: http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2597892&SiteID=17. There are three or more threads related to this same issue, none of them offer any different fix. This problem, from what I can tell, is related to something changed in Service Pack 1 that affects many users of the 64-bit edition, and also affected a few pre-SP1 users.This solution is not a temporary fix, it is adding a security loophole that is easily exploited. Hopefully Microsoft will recognize that there are many threads pertaining to this, and create a solution from one of them.

1. Go to Start > Run > cmd 2. Copy/paste the following line and hit your Enter key: Net localgroup Administrators localservice /add 3. Reboot your computer. Wipe your brow. Sigh relief. Heck, maybe even go out dancing!

Timber42 wrote: 1. Go to Start > Run > cmd 2. Copy/paste the following line and hit your Enter key: Net localgroup Administrators localservice /add 3. Reboot your computer. Wipe your brow. Sigh relief. Heck, maybe even go out dancing! Timber42, read my post directly above the one you just made. As stated in that post, this is a giant security risk and is NOT an acceptable solution.

I found a better solution that I agree with, please refer to this post: http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3156119&SiteID=17

I found this solution some where out there: (If repeated I apologize didn't read through all 28 pages) 1. Uninstall Aim 6.5 and Viewpoint Media Player 1. Click Start Button 2. Click Control Panel 3. Click User Accounts & Family Settings 4. Click Turn User Account Control On. [Provide Admin Password] 5.CheckmarkUse User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer 6. Click OK 7. Restart Computer 8. Install Aim 6.5 I had UAC turned off originally so I don't know if anyone trying this method would want to turn it off first before starting. It solved the following problems that I had: Unplayable files in windows media player, Server execution failure on my network icon, a ton devices listed in my device manager under a new listing for Non-UPNP devices, Drive Sm_USB20 (my flash drive) drivers showing not loaded due to lack of resources in my device manager. (Yet I could still access the drive) Also when all of this first startedthe Readyboost Settings I had setup on my flash drive where completly gone and I had to re-enable it on my flash drive. I have since doing this removed AIM 6.5 from my system and turned back off my UAC and the issues have not returned. Hope this helps ~Star S. Wildfire~

Star S. Wildfire, That solution doesn't work for the people that have this issue that never installed AIM.This problem is not related to AIM at all, and has more to do with security settings that are somehow being set off of their defaults when certian programs are installed or when Service Pack 1 is installed. The post directly above yours provides a link to the solution that has been most reccomended. I would appreciate if you tried that one if your problem returns and let us know how your system works afterwards. Below is the solution that I reccomend, please post any more discussion on this solution in this thread: http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3182407&SiteID=17 Ramzypro wrote: To re-state the security settings reset, I am just copying and pasting the steps from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313222.That seems to be the fix. 1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, type ENTER:2. For Windows Vista, type the following command, and then press ENTER: secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose3. You receive a "Task is completed" message, and a warning message that something could not be done. You can safely ignore this message. For more information about this message, view the %windir%\Security\Logs\Scesrv.log file.Note In Windows Vista, the defltbase.inf file is a Security configuration template for the default security. You can view the settings for this file in the following location: %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf

things i have already tried:- adding NT Authority\Local Service through command prompt; quickly deleted that after finding out it was a security hole (plus, it totally didn't work)- uninstalling AIM, turning on UAC, rebooting, reinstalling AIM, running AIM, turning of UAC, rebooting..... (definitely didn't work)- applying every microsoft patch suggested in the thread (did nothing for me)- applying the security settings reset (going into command prompt and typing in the secedit....etc. line; the red "x" is still there)in short, i have exhausted all possibilities within this thread, except for the one suggesting that i go into the administrative tools > services > etc. no one else has tried that one, so i haven't bothered to do it yet until it has been confirmed for more than just that person.is there no peace of mind for me?! this has actually happened to me before (last time it was the network icon AND the sound/media playback) -- i ended up reformatting my laptop. system restore doesn't work for me (the problem always returns). i'd really like to fix this without having to wipe my hardware. if anyone else has a solution, or can confirm that i may try the one solution i haven't done yet (without terrible consequences), please let me know!

THE FOLLOWING IS A FIX THAT WORKED FOR ME....just thought i wud share.....taken from: http://www.xoxideforums.com/972144-post11.html.....following is for those who have VISTA HOME PREMIUM..... (the above site has a easier sol'n for BUSINESS, ULT and ENT)-----------------------------------------Building on BlueShot's fix focused on business Vista, there is now a simple fix for Vista Home users, as well, for the "server execution error" and red "x" over the wireless networking icon.Simply run a command prompt as an administrator (right-click on it and click "Open as Administrator") then enter the following command line: Code Snippet net localgroup "Administrators" "NT Authority\Local Service" /add That should do it. We should thank God for the each other because Microsoft sure has no F-ing idea what they are doing yet.docinventorP.S.- please distribute this to other groups...--------------------------------------------------------------for myself....i changed "Adminstrators" to "Users"...and rebooted...worked like a charm!net localgroup "Administrators" "NT Authority\Local Service" /add

For all who are looking into this fix, as well as others relating to this issue, a thread has been started here at this forum.http://www.xoxideforums.com/networking/76388-vista-giving-you-server.htmlIt is a repost of BlueShot's fix, as well as other fixes users have come across. It is up to date and also includes information relating to Service Pack 1. The thread has almost 50,000 to this date and is currently being linked to by thousands of sites. Enjoy!

I tried all of the proposed solutions found here and other places and finally I found one that works but is a little long. Previously I tried just using: the solution using secedit alone (secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose) but that didn't work the solution of uninstalling AIM and then reinstalling while UAC was enabled and that failed the additon of Local Service into the Administrators group but that was considered too unsafe and my company's group policies would revert the change whenever I connected to the domain controller.The original post of the solution that worked for me is here: http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=1828&mode=threaded&pid=10603All credit to the original poster.Basically it uses a combination of subinacl and secedit to reset premissions (registry entries as well as some folders) as follows:subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=fsubinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=fsubinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=fsubinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=fsubinacl /subdirectories %windir%\*.* /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=fsecedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verboseAfter that it uses the component services snap-in (you can run it by typing comexp.msc into the start search box) to make sure that the correct permissions are set for "local service" on the Network List Service (netprofm) DCOM components. You can do this by opening the properties page for Computers/My Computer/DCOM Config/netprofm and then on the security tab, under Launch and Activation section, choose Customize, then press the edit button, add "local service" and allow "local launch" and "local activation" premissions (you can allow remote launch and activation but it doesn't seem to be needed).After you are finished reboot the machine and everything should work.I hope this helps some of you... Paul

SOLUTION!!! I was having the same exact problem: Connection status: Unknown Server execution failed error message I also linked it to AIM, but after uninstalling the new AIM, i still had the same problem. There were media problems linked to it also. Here's how I FINALLY fixed it!! 1. Go to Start---> Run 2. type in cmd and click ok (Or just type CMD into search and hit enter) 3. copy and paste this into the run window Net localgroup Administrators localservice /add 4. delete your temporary internet files and restart your computer It was so nice to see those monitor icons without a big red X over it! Hope this helps!

The above solution, and all other involving Local Services will leave you wide open to be hacked! 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.

Heres how I fixed this problem (Vista Home Premium SP1). Open the command prompt (Start>Run:CMD) and enter "net localgroup administrators /add" (without the quotes) and hit enter, it should say "command executed secussfully" or somthing of the sort, if it dosnt try restarting in safe mode and entering the command again. You'll have to reboot after you get the sucess message but this fixed my "connection status unknown" message in the system tray and the network center hanging. Though I never noticed any problem with the windows experience index but its not somthing I regularly check. I use Trillian and had absolutely no problems untill a friend was using my PC and decided to install AIM, which seems to have triggered this problem.

Open up command prompt with "Run as Administrator" option.typenet localgroup "Administrators" "NT Authority\Local Service" /add

This reply corrects the command to fix this problem and also provides all the steps necessary to run it. 1. Restart Vista. 2. After your computer's BIOS screen ("press F2 for Setup," whatever) displays, keep pressing F8 until you see Vista's startup options screen. 3. Run "Safe Mode with Command Prompt." 4. At the Safe Mode command prompt type net localgroup "Administrators" "Local Service" /add and then press ENTER. You should see a "The command completed successfully" message. 5. Type exit and then press RETURN. This closes the command window. 6. Restart Vista.

I've been reading this thread for hours. I've have an issue very similar to this threads except I NEVER installed AIM before. The network taskbar on Vista shows the Globe, but when I highlight my mouse over it, it says ["Not Connected" You are currently not connected to any networks].When I open up Network and Sharing Center it too says I'm not connected. Wierdly if I goto "View full map" it shows I'm connected to my Router, but there is an X on the Internet connection. However I am able to connect to the Internet just fine (type it on this computer as we speak.)I am NOT going to give Local Service Administrator rights (that's a BIG security issue.) So I need to figure out another way to solve this.

Replying to the thread after a VERY long time. Years have passed since this thread was made. Now I brave and decide to install a newer build of AIM. No problems. They finally addressed it!I agree with the last poster - while giving LS admin rights is a quick way to fix this I HIGHLY recommend reset subinacl and system restore over it. That is a BIG nono and that fix should really stop being posted in places!