Windows Vista Forums

Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops
  1. #1


    Kolin Tregaskes Guest

    Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    Hello,



    I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to authenticate Vista -
    do I need to enable this now?). I find everytime I log in that the Windows
    Wireless Service is not running. So I go to manage network connections,
    right-click and select diagnose on the connection set-up for my wireless
    router (which I had to set-up manually). Once I have started the Wireless
    Service, when I select to activate Vista it tells me that a change has
    occurred in my license and I need to restart. This happens every time. If
    I try and activate Vista before I start up the Wireless Service then it
    tries to connect without an error, but then, of course, I have to start it
    up and then get the license error (so basically stuck in a loop). I also
    receive a license error: 0XC004D401.

    I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm don't run
    or work and I canot update Windows Defender.

    And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped and been
    closed.

    Any ideas?

    Kol



      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2


    Kolin Tregaskes Guest

    Re: Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    Sorry perhaps I should have posted all these in separate post.

    Kol


    "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    news:uA$ngSNqGHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    > Hello,
    >
    > I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to authenticate
    > Vista - do I need to enable this now?). I find everytime I log in that
    > the Windows Wireless Service is not running. So I go to manage network
    > connections, right-click and select diagnose on the connection set-up for
    > my wireless router (which I had to set-up manually). Once I have started
    > the Wireless Service, when I select to activate Vista it tells me that a
    > change has occurred in my license and I need to restart. This happens
    > every time. If I try and activate Vista before I start up the Wireless
    > Service then it tries to connect without an error, but then, of course, I
    > have to start it up and then get the license error (so basically stuck in
    > a loop). I also receive a license error: 0XC004D401.
    >
    > I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm don't run
    > or work and I canot update Windows Defender.
    >
    > And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped and been
    > closed.
    >
    > Any ideas?
    >
    > Kol
    >




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    Colin Barnhorst Guest

    Re: Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    Did you do a clean installation or an upgrade?

    "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    news:uA$ngSNqGHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    > Hello,
    >
    > I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to authenticate
    > Vista - do I need to enable this now?). I find everytime I log in that
    > the Windows Wireless Service is not running. So I go to manage network
    > connections, right-click and select diagnose on the connection set-up for
    > my wireless router (which I had to set-up manually). Once I have started
    > the Wireless Service, when I select to activate Vista it tells me that a
    > change has occurred in my license and I need to restart. This happens
    > every time. If I try and activate Vista before I start up the Wireless
    > Service then it tries to connect without an error, but then, of course, I
    > have to start it up and then get the license error (so basically stuck in
    > a loop). I also receive a license error: 0XC004D401.
    >
    > I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm don't run
    > or work and I canot update Windows Defender.
    >
    > And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped and been
    > closed.
    >
    > Any ideas?
    >
    > Kol
    >




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  4. #4


    Kolin Tregaskes Guest

    Re: Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    Upgrade, I currently don't have the capacity to do a clean install, though,
    yes I'm sure it's the best option.

    Kol


    "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
    news:uRm8$XPqGHA.4924@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    > Did you do a clean installation or an upgrade?
    >
    > "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    > news:uA$ngSNqGHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >> Hello,
    >>
    >> I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to authenticate
    >> Vista - do I need to enable this now?). I find everytime I log in that
    >> the Windows Wireless Service is not running. So I go to manage network
    >> connections, right-click and select diagnose on the connection set-up for
    >> my wireless router (which I had to set-up manually). Once I have started
    >> the Wireless Service, when I select to activate Vista it tells me that a
    >> change has occurred in my license and I need to restart. This happens
    >> every time. If I try and activate Vista before I start up the Wireless
    >> Service then it tries to connect without an error, but then, of course, I
    >> have to start it up and then get the license error (so basically stuck in
    >> a loop). I also receive a license error: 0XC004D401.
    >>
    >> I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm don't
    >> run or work and I canot update Windows Defender.
    >>
    >> And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped and
    >> been closed.
    >>
    >> Any ideas?
    >>
    >> Kol
    >>

    >
    >




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  5. #5


    Kolin Tregaskes Guest

    Re: Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    Can anyone help?

    Kol


    "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    news:%23UwQYfPqGHA.4760@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    > Upgrade, I currently don't have the capacity to do a clean install,
    > though, yes I'm sure it's the best option.
    >
    > Kol
    >
    >
    > "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
    > news:uRm8$XPqGHA.4924@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    >> Did you do a clean installation or an upgrade?
    >>
    >> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    >> news:uA$ngSNqGHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>> Hello,
    >>>
    >>> I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to authenticate
    >>> Vista - do I need to enable this now?). I find everytime I log in that
    >>> the Windows Wireless Service is not running. So I go to manage network
    >>> connections, right-click and select diagnose on the connection set-up
    >>> for my wireless router (which I had to set-up manually). Once I have
    >>> started the Wireless Service, when I select to activate Vista it tells
    >>> me that a change has occurred in my license and I need to restart. This
    >>> happens every time. If I try and activate Vista before I start up the
    >>> Wireless Service then it tries to connect without an error, but then, of
    >>> course, I have to start it up and then get the license error (so
    >>> basically stuck in a loop). I also receive a license error: 0XC004D401.
    >>>
    >>> I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm don't
    >>> run or work and I canot update Windows Defender.
    >>>
    >>> And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped and
    >>> been closed.
    >>>
    >>> Any ideas?
    >>>
    >>> Kol
    >>>

    >>
    >>

    >
    >




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  6. #6


    Colin Barnhorst Guest

    Re: Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    That's the problem with the upgrade scenario right now. The Upgrade Advisor
    is beta too. You probably should have removed Real Player and Zone Alarm
    especially before upgrading.

    Can you connect to a router by ethernet cable and forget wireless until you
    get straightened out? How about through a desktop with ICS? How about a
    friend's house to at least get activated?

    "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    news:%23ywd9oBrGHA.4424@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    > Can anyone help?
    >
    > Kol
    >
    >
    > "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    > news:%23UwQYfPqGHA.4760@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >> Upgrade, I currently don't have the capacity to do a clean install,
    >> though, yes I'm sure it's the best option.
    >>
    >> Kol
    >>
    >>
    >> "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
    >> news:uRm8$XPqGHA.4924@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    >>> Did you do a clean installation or an upgrade?
    >>>
    >>> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    >>> news:uA$ngSNqGHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>>> Hello,
    >>>>
    >>>> I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to authenticate
    >>>> Vista - do I need to enable this now?). I find everytime I log in that
    >>>> the Windows Wireless Service is not running. So I go to manage network
    >>>> connections, right-click and select diagnose on the connection set-up
    >>>> for my wireless router (which I had to set-up manually). Once I have
    >>>> started the Wireless Service, when I select to activate Vista it tells
    >>>> me that a change has occurred in my license and I need to restart.
    >>>> This happens every time. If I try and activate Vista before I start up
    >>>> the Wireless Service then it tries to connect without an error, but
    >>>> then, of course, I have to start it up and then get the license error
    >>>> (so basically stuck in a loop). I also receive a license error:
    >>>> 0XC004D401.
    >>>>
    >>>> I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm don't
    >>>> run or work and I canot update Windows Defender.
    >>>>
    >>>> And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped and
    >>>> been closed.
    >>>>
    >>>> Any ideas?
    >>>>
    >>>> Kol
    >>>>
    >>>
    >>>

    >>
    >>

    >
    >




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  7. #7


    Kolin Tregaskes Guest

    Re: Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    ICS never seems to work for me. I'll have to get out my 'bloody-long-lead'
    again and see if that helps. Thanks, Colin.

    Kol


    "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
    news:%23ShrjjErGHA.3816@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    > That's the problem with the upgrade scenario right now. The Upgrade
    > Advisor is beta too. You probably should have removed Real Player and
    > Zone Alarm especially before upgrading.
    >
    > Can you connect to a router by ethernet cable and forget wireless until
    > you get straightened out? How about through a desktop with ICS? How
    > about a friend's house to at least get activated?
    >
    > "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    > news:%23ywd9oBrGHA.4424@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >> Can anyone help?
    >>
    >> Kol
    >>
    >>
    >> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    >> news:%23UwQYfPqGHA.4760@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>> Upgrade, I currently don't have the capacity to do a clean install,
    >>> though, yes I'm sure it's the best option.
    >>>
    >>> Kol
    >>>
    >>>
    >>> "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
    >>> news:uRm8$XPqGHA.4924@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    >>>> Did you do a clean installation or an upgrade?
    >>>>
    >>>> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    >>>> news:uA$ngSNqGHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>>>> Hello,
    >>>>>
    >>>>> I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to authenticate
    >>>>> Vista - do I need to enable this now?). I find everytime I log in
    >>>>> that the Windows Wireless Service is not running. So I go to manage
    >>>>> network connections, right-click and select diagnose on the connection
    >>>>> set-up for my wireless router (which I had to set-up manually). Once
    >>>>> I have started the Wireless Service, when I select to activate Vista
    >>>>> it tells me that a change has occurred in my license and I need to
    >>>>> restart. This happens every time. If I try and activate Vista before
    >>>>> I start up the Wireless Service then it tries to connect without an
    >>>>> error, but then, of course, I have to start it up and then get the
    >>>>> license error (so basically stuck in a loop). I also receive a
    >>>>> license error: 0XC004D401.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm don't
    >>>>> run or work and I canot update Windows Defender.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped and
    >>>>> been closed.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> Any ideas?
    >>>>>
    >>>>> Kol
    >>>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>
    >>>

    >>
    >>

    >
    >




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  8. #8


    Ben Salisbury Guest

    Re: Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    Kolin-

    When you boot up, can you search for smss.exe, and report back where all
    locations of the file are?
    As you described the steps to reaching your problem, it smells more like an
    infection (carried over from your XP machine) than a botched upgrade.

    A while back, there was a trojan that distributed a fake smss.exe file that
    acted as a backdoor. It runs at startup.
    from the HKLM\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run in the registry
    (I'm not at my test machine so could someone else verify if this is still
    the same location in Vista for the autoruns?)

    From XP, you could check by going to Start>Run>Msconfig and click on the
    startup tab....if smss.exe showed up here...it's the bad one.

    The real smss.exe gets invoked from system processes. and it controls the
    starting of winlogon and crsmss.

    -Ben
    "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    news:uA$ngSNqGHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    > Hello,
    >
    > I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to authenticate
    > Vista - do I need to enable this now?). I find everytime I log in that
    > the Windows Wireless Service is not running. So I go to manage network
    > connections, right-click and select diagnose on the connection set-up for
    > my wireless router (which I had to set-up manually). Once I have started
    > the Wireless Service, when I select to activate Vista it tells me that a
    > change has occurred in my license and I need to restart. This happens
    > every time. If I try and activate Vista before I start up the Wireless
    > Service then it tries to connect without an error, but then, of course, I
    > have to start it up and then get the license error (so basically stuck in
    > a loop). I also receive a license error: 0XC004D401.
    >
    > I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm don't run
    > or work and I canot update Windows Defender.
    >
    > And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped and been
    > closed.
    >
    > Any ideas?
    >
    > Kol
    >




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  9. #9


    Kol Tregaskes Guest

    Re: Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    Hi there,

    I've been able to get Windows Update to work and got the latest updates installed.
    Once I rebooted I also got Vista activated. So thanks for everyone's help.

    Kol


    Kol Tregaskes
    mailto:kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk

    > ICS never seems to work for me. I'll have to get out my
    > 'bloody-long-lead' again and see if that helps. Thanks, Colin.
    >
    > Kol
    >
    > "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
    > news:%23ShrjjErGHA.3816@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >
    >> That's the problem with the upgrade scenario right now. The Upgrade
    >> Advisor is beta too. You probably should have removed Real Player
    >> and Zone Alarm especially before upgrading.
    >>
    >> Can you connect to a router by ethernet cable and forget wireless
    >> until you get straightened out? How about through a desktop with
    >> ICS? How about a friend's house to at least get activated?
    >>
    >> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in
    >> message news:%23ywd9oBrGHA.4424@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>
    >>> Can anyone help?
    >>>
    >>> Kol
    >>>
    >>> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in
    >>> message news:%23UwQYfPqGHA.4760@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>>
    >>>> Upgrade, I currently don't have the capacity to do a clean install,
    >>>> though, yes I'm sure it's the best option.
    >>>>
    >>>> Kol
    >>>>
    >>>> "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
    >>>> news:uRm8$XPqGHA.4924@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    >>>>
    >>>>> Did you do a clean installation or an upgrade?
    >>>>>
    >>>>> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in
    >>>>> message news:uA$ngSNqGHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>>>>
    >>>>>> Hello,
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>> I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to
    >>>>>> authenticate Vista - do I need to enable this now?). I find
    >>>>>> everytime I log in that the Windows Wireless Service is not
    >>>>>> running. So I go to manage network connections, right-click and
    >>>>>> select diagnose on the connection set-up for my wireless router
    >>>>>> (which I had to set-up manually). Once I have started the
    >>>>>> Wireless Service, when I select to activate Vista it tells me
    >>>>>> that a change has occurred in my license and I need to restart.
    >>>>>> This happens every time. If I try and activate Vista before I
    >>>>>> start up the Wireless Service then it tries to connect without an
    >>>>>> error, but then, of course, I have to start it up and then get
    >>>>>> the license error (so basically stuck in a loop). I also receive
    >>>>>> a license error: 0XC004D401.
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>> I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm
    >>>>>> don't run or work and I canot update Windows Defender.
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>> And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped
    >>>>>> and been closed.
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>> Any ideas?
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>> Kol
    >>>>>>




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  10. #10


    Colin Barnhorst Guest

    Re: Activation/Wireless Service problems/Windows Update not working/smss.exe stops

    You're welcome.

    "Kol Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in message
    news:7c74fa3c246708c87c9bff14691c@msnews.microsoft.com...
    > Hi there,
    >
    > I've been able to get Windows Update to work and got the latest updates
    > installed. Once I rebooted I also got Vista activated. So thanks for
    > everyone's help.
    >
    > Kol
    >
    >
    > Kol Tregaskes
    > mailto:kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk
    >
    >> ICS never seems to work for me. I'll have to get out my
    >> 'bloody-long-lead' again and see if that helps. Thanks, Colin.
    >>
    >> Kol
    >>
    >> "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
    >> news:%23ShrjjErGHA.3816@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>
    >>> That's the problem with the upgrade scenario right now. The Upgrade
    >>> Advisor is beta too. You probably should have removed Real Player
    >>> and Zone Alarm especially before upgrading.
    >>>
    >>> Can you connect to a router by ethernet cable and forget wireless
    >>> until you get straightened out? How about through a desktop with
    >>> ICS? How about a friend's house to at least get activated?
    >>>
    >>> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in
    >>> message news:%23ywd9oBrGHA.4424@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>>
    >>>> Can anyone help?
    >>>>
    >>>> Kol
    >>>>
    >>>> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in
    >>>> message news:%23UwQYfPqGHA.4760@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>>>
    >>>>> Upgrade, I currently don't have the capacity to do a clean install,
    >>>>> though, yes I'm sure it's the best option.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> Kol
    >>>>>
    >>>>> "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
    >>>>> news:uRm8$XPqGHA.4924@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    >>>>>
    >>>>>> Did you do a clean installation or an upgrade?
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>> "Kolin Tregaskes" <kolngNOSPAMPLEASE@tregaskes.co.uk> wrote in
    >>>>>> message news:uA$ngSNqGHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>> Hello,
    >>>>>>>
    >>>>>>> I've been able to get logged in (after disabling UAP to
    >>>>>>> authenticate Vista - do I need to enable this now?). I find
    >>>>>>> everytime I log in that the Windows Wireless Service is not
    >>>>>>> running. So I go to manage network connections, right-click and
    >>>>>>> select diagnose on the connection set-up for my wireless router
    >>>>>>> (which I had to set-up manually). Once I have started the
    >>>>>>> Wireless Service, when I select to activate Vista it tells me
    >>>>>>> that a change has occurred in my license and I need to restart.
    >>>>>>> This happens every time. If I try and activate Vista before I
    >>>>>>> start up the Wireless Service then it tries to connect without an
    >>>>>>> error, but then, of course, I have to start it up and then get
    >>>>>>> the license error (so basically stuck in a loop). I also receive
    >>>>>>> a license error: 0XC004D401.
    >>>>>>>
    >>>>>>> I cannot update Windows Update either. RealPlayer and ZoneAlarm
    >>>>>>> don't run or work and I canot update Windows Defender.
    >>>>>>>
    >>>>>>> And I eventually receive an error telling me smss.exe has stopped
    >>>>>>> and been closed.
    >>>>>>>
    >>>>>>> Any ideas?
    >>>>>>>
    >>>>>>> Kol
    >>>>>>>

    >
    >




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

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