"Cannot connect to a windows service." problem

fri3ndlygiant

Junior Member
Jan 1, 2014
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0
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A couple days ago this lroblem started. Every time I turn my computer on it says the message above in a pop up in the bottom right corner of the screen. I was wondering if any of you can help me. Thanks.
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,559
248
106
It should tell you want service it is (at least XP through 7 would). Anything?
 

mikeymikec

Lifer
May 19, 2011
20,432
15,178
136
Run eventvwr, go into the Windows system log, and find the 'service control manager' entry which is probably present saying which service couldn't start.

If there isn't such an entry, then look for errors/warnings/critical messages.
 

code65536

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2006
1,006
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Screenshot would be nice. It is highly unusual for Windows to display an error that uses technical language ("Windows service") and yet be so vague, so I'm wondering if this is actually Windows or if it's a third-party program (or worse, malware). I'm thinking the latter.
 

fri3ndlygiant

Junior Member
Jan 1, 2014
17
0
0
Screenshot would be nice. It is highly unusual for Windows to display an error that uses technical language ("Windows service") and yet be so vague, so I'm wondering if this is actually Windows or if it's a third-party program (or worse, malware). I'm thinking the latter.

That could be possible. I don't download a lot of stuff I don't know about so I think I am ok. Today I started my computer and it didn't have the pop up. Do you think it is ok now? Also, I forgot to mention that it said that this problem prevents non administrative users from logging on. I think it is ok now, unless you think it is a virus. I will scan my computer.
 

code65536

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2006
1,006
0
76
Today I started my computer and it didn't have the pop up. Do you think it is ok now? Also, I forgot to mention that it said that this problem prevents non administrative users from logging on. I think it is ok now, unless you think it is a virus. I will scan my computer.

It's really hard to tell right now without more information. A screenshot (because usually--though not always--an experienced user can tell if a message is legitimate or not by looking at it because people often do a bad job of spoofing these things) and a check of the event logs as suggested earlier would result in less guessing in the dark.

Also, the anti-malware software on a computer is the very first thing that modern malware cripples, so just because a "scan" shows no problems doesn't mean that there isn't any.
 
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