Failed to connect to a windows service error

Asked By reene wright 210 points N/A Posted on - 06/18/2011

Hi,

I have a Toshiba laptop that runs with Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2, 32-Bit Operating System. After a boot up and logging in my computer as the administrator, a pop up appears on my taskbar system tray with an error like this;

"Failed to connect to a windows service"

Windows could not connect to the System Event Notification Service. This problem prevents standard users from logging on to the system. As an administrative user, you can review the System Event Log for details about why the service didn't respond.

I recognized some changes on my windows XP, the taskbar seems different. It was like the same taskbar as the one in Windows 98. I cannot update windows, I cannot connect to the internet either by wire or WLAN ,since Windows cannot find any networks.  I can't start the Event Viewer because it is unavailable and the system is acting real slowly. It takes  a few minutes before I open any application. The network and sharing center failed to start also.

What is happening with my computer? I did not do anything before this error appeared. It was just a simple reboot then it all started. I tried a startup repair, but it took an hour to start so I have to cancel it. What is the root cause of this error? It seems like this is a major issue because I cannot manually fix it. Please help me.

Thanks!

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• Question Category: Windows OS

Best Answer by Sherry

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Answered By April Young 0 points N/A #125693

Failed to connect to a windows service error

That error message is so generic. It could be caused by a virus or wrong settings or internet connection. That is why you are advised to "review the System Event Log". For this, I will give you two possible solutions.

First: The next time you start your laptop, choose Safe Mode and log-in as administrator. In your Control Panel, Select Administrative Tools, then Services. Right click on System Event Notification Service and set startup mode as Automatic. Make sure NOT to Start Service. Set Event Log Service to Automatic too. Restart your laptop normally and see if the problem persists.

Second: Choose Safe Mode when you start your laptop and log-in as administrator, just like in the first solution. Then click on Search from the Start button and type "cmd.exe". Select it and press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER simultaneously. Type "netsh winsock reset" on the space and hit enter. The problem should be gone after you restart your laptop.

If neither of these solutions work, search for Event Viewer in your laptop and check for errors under System & Applications. Copy what is written about the errors and post it in this site as a new question. 

April Y.

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• Posted on - 06/18/2011
• Question Category: Windows OS

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Answered By Sherry 0 points N/A #125694

Failed to connect to a windows service error

Hi Reene,

Try to remember if you have installed or updated any program before this issue happened, this could be the cause.

Anyway, try to log-in using administrator privileges and see if the issue will be resolved. If it does not address the problem, you should see the status of your Windows Event Log service and determine if it has been set to manual.

To do this, here are the steps:

1. Go to Start menu. In the search box, enter services.msc.
2. Find Windows Event Log service.
3. Do a right-click on the service and click on Restart
4. For the second time, right-click Windows Event Log service and click on Properties.
5. Look for the General tab and see to it that Startup type is in Manual set.
6. Restart your PC and check if it’s solved.

You should also try doing clean boot; it helps you to recognize if the problem is due to some startup programs or due to a software issue.

To execute clean boot, follow the steps below:

1. Log in using administrative rights.
2. Click on Start. Enter msconfig.exe inside the Start Search box. And the System Configuration utility will now start. If you are asked for your administrator password, enter your password or you can click on Continue.
3. Find General tab and select Selective startup, this will uncheck Load startup items.
4. Locate Services tab, click on it so that Microsoft services will be hidden and select Disable all.
5. Select OK and restart your computer.

Hope it will solve your issue.

Sherry

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• Posted on - 06/26/2011
• Question Category: Windows OS

Answered By reene wright 210 points N/A #125695

Failed to connect to a windows service error

I spent hours finding a solution for this, and it was so simple. Thanking you guys for all the help. You are the best!

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• Posted on - 09/04/2011
• Question Category: Windows OS