2003 & 2000 network connections service won't start

We have 2 Windows 2000 Servers & 1 Windows 2003 Server that all have suddenly
developed the same problem (on different networks), Windows explorer just
hangs when opening Network Connections. It is also not possible to browse
the internet. Automatic updates are enabled.
Looking in services reveals that the network connections service is not
running, attempting to start it produces the following:-
Could not start the Network Connections Service on Local Computer.
Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a
timely fashion.
There are no unusual entries in the event logs. Can anybody help.

Thanks, Chris.

Chris,

Is it possible that there's a physical problem? You said different
networks, is this a physical separation, or a VLAN separation? If VLAN,
are all these servers attached to the same switch? Did it die?

You listed that auto updates is enabled, are they all the same platform
and did they all get the same NIC driver or other update?

You said there's nothing unusual in the event logs... Would you please
check again? Look in the System Logs for the notification that the
Network Connections service "Failed to Start" or something like that.
It might say why. Start with the 2003 box.

Eric Ryan

Chris wrote:
> We have 2 Windows 2000 Servers & 1 Windows 2003 Server that all have suddenly
> developed the same problem (on different networks), Windows explorer just
> hangs when opening Network Connections. It is also not possible to browse
> the internet. Automatic updates are enabled.
> Looking in services reveals that the network connections service is not
> running, attempting to start it produces the following:-
> Could not start the Network Connections Service on Local Computer.
> Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a
> timely fashion.
> There are no unusual entries in the event logs. Can anybody help.
>
> Thanks, Chris.

One server is in Leicester, one Brighton, the other in Romsey, they are
physically seperated.
Leicester (2003) has an Intel Pro/1000 MT, driver Intel 7.2.17.0 signed
Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher, this works in that I can
connect via remote desktop.
Brighton (2000) is an Intel 82544EI-basetXT Gigabit adapter, properties on
this card hangs, so I am not sure of the driver version. I can also use
remote desktop.
Romsey (2000) is an Intel Pro/1000 MT, properties on this card also hangs.
I can also use remote desktop.
There are no services failing to start in the event logs, even when starting
Network connections service manually & failing, nothing is logged.

Thanks, Chris.

"Ryan" wrote:

> Chris,
>
> Is it possible that there's a physical problem? You said different
> networks, is this a physical separation, or a VLAN separation? If VLAN,
> are all these servers attached to the same switch? Did it die?
>
> You listed that auto updates is enabled, are they all the same platform
> and did they all get the same NIC driver or other update?
>
> You said there's nothing unusual in the event logs... Would you please
> check again? Look in the System Logs for the notification that the
> Network Connections service "Failed to Start" or something like that.
> It might say why. Start with the 2003 box.
>
> Eric Ryan
>
> Chris wrote:
> > We have 2 Windows 2000 Servers & 1 Windows 2003 Server that all have suddenly
> > developed the same problem (on different networks), Windows explorer just
> > hangs when opening Network Connections. It is also not possible to browse
> > the internet. Automatic updates are enabled.
> > Looking in services reveals that the network connections service is not
> > running, attempting to start it produces the following:-
> > Could not start the Network Connections Service on Local Computer.
> > Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a
> > timely fashion.
> > There are no unusual entries in the event logs. Can anybody help.
> >
> > Thanks, Chris.
>

Hi Chris,

I'm interested in this thread because one of my support customers is
having exactly the same issue, which, bizarrely, also started
yesterday.

This coincedence kind of suggests to us that it might be a virus that
caused it. At the same time though, the physical seperation of the
affected computers on your network seems to suggest otherwise.

Any input?

Henning

We have scanned these systems with two different up to date virus scanners,
nothing found, the timing makes me suspicious of a failing Windows Update.

Chris.

"(E-Mail Removed)" wrote:

> Hi Chris,
>
> I'm interested in this thread because one of my support customers is
> having exactly the same issue, which, bizarrely, also started
> yesterday.
>
> This coincedence kind of suggests to us that it might be a virus that
> caused it. At the same time though, the physical seperation of the
> affected computers on your network seems to suggest otherwise.
>
> Any input?
>
> Henning
>
>

I've just heard from my customer that it had something to do with their
UPS software - a bug that only shows up after the 27th or 28th of July.
I'm still trying to get more information out of them though. Don't know
what make of UPS or software they're using yet.

How about your servers - all the same?

Henning

We have tried removing APC Powerchute from one of our systems & this seems to
have cleared the fault. I will have a look for any patches available.

Thanks, Chris.

"(E-Mail Removed)" wrote:

> I've just heard from my customer that it had something to do with their
> UPS software - a bug that only shows up after the 27th or 28th of July.
> I'm still trying to get more information out of them though. Don't know
> what make of UPS or software they're using yet.
>
> How about your servers - all the same?
>
> Henning
>
>

I found this,

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/grou...r/161000834731

Henning

I had the same problem on our W2K Server. Uninstalled Powerchute apps
and all is well.

After mere 9 hours of deep research and fully killing (BSOD) and restoring
windows 2000 SBS found this post, I just cannot believe that such an
insignificant thing would cause so much trouble. Greatly appreciate
everybody's input. Once again thank you for this post. Denis & Sam

"Chris" wrote:

> We have 2 Windows 2000 Servers & 1 Windows 2003 Server that all have suddenly
> developed the same problem (on different networks), Windows explorer just
> hangs when opening Network Connections. It is also not possible to browse
> the internet. Automatic updates are enabled.
> Looking in services reveals that the network connections service is not
> running, attempting to start it produces the following:-
> Could not start the Network Connections Service on Local Computer.
> Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a
> timely fashion.
> There are no unusual entries in the event logs. Can anybody help.
>
> Thanks, Chris.