Question

How do you stop WZC service from being disabled?

Asked by: zbox

Hi.

My problem is that the WZC (Wireless Zero-Configuration) always disables after computer is shutdown or rebooted.

1. I keep having to go into services and re-enable it so that Windows will configure my network. I've looked for the settings in any software that may be overpowering the setting but can not find.

2. I'm using a Fujitsu T4210 LifeBook. I have a wireless access point that requires specific client software, called AirFortress Client, in order for it to authenticate to the network. The wireless card is an Atheros AR5006EXS Wireless Network Adapter.

The wireless network SSID is hidden and you have to configure it first before it will appear while viewing available networks. So I create the wireless network. No problem. Then I see it and I connect. It works wonderfully until I shutdown or reboot.

3. When I turn my PC back on and log back in, the wireless will not be working and the message in the available wireless networks window is "Wireless cannot configure this wireless connection, if you want windows to configure it then start the WZC service."

Conclusion:

I need help either finding out what is taking priority over the WZC service or maybe there is a way to lock the WZC service so that it can not be changed (like in the registry).

Thanks for your input.

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Asked On
2009-06-24 at 07:59:39ID24518399
Tags

WZC

,

wireless

,

zero

,

configuration

,

windows xp pro

,

services

,

client

Topics

802.11 Wireless Access Points

,

Wireless Local Area Network

,

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
10

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Answers

 

by: arixsinPosted on 2009-06-24 at 08:54:44ID: 24702435

2 things.

Make sure the WZC is set to "Automatic".
If you are using Active Directory, make sure you don't have a GPO configured to disable this service.

 

by: zboxPosted on 2009-06-24 at 10:35:57ID: 24703471

1. I set it for Automatic hit apply. Then start the service. After which it works fine and connects allowing windows to configure the network.

After a reboot though, WZC is disabled again.

I went into the AirFortress Client settings and do not find any setting for enabling or disabling AFClient's ability to configure the network. The Atheros Client (wireless card software) doesn't give me any options either.

I did go into msconfig to try and disabled the Atheros Client from starting in attempt to resolve this.

2. AD does not have anything that would disable.

Thanks

 

by: BGTSLLCPosted on 2009-06-24 at 18:00:35ID: 24707302

Couple of things:

1.  Try going one step further than automatic.  If the service stops; force it to restart each time.
2.  Are you sure that Windows is set to manage the wireless?
3.  What happens if you allow the client software to manage wireless versus WZC?

 

by: Darr247Posted on 2009-06-25 at 07:38:34ID: 24711817

Uninstall the Atheros client software. While the Atheros Client Utility adds more control to profiles than WZC offers, the card needs only the drivers, not the client software, and it's almost-certainly the Atheros client that's taking control away from WZC.

Usually, installing the Atheros client switches windows back to the 2000/NT type login box (aka GINA) instead of the XP/vista/7 style logon screen with icons for each username... if you don't have multiple usernames on the computer you may not have noticed that drawback.

There IS an option in the ACU to decide which one has control, and picking that should pop open a radio button dialog asking which one you want to have control... choosing Windows and clicking OK will disable it and start WZC at least until the next reboot. I'm not going to install the client again just to show exactly where it is, though... the option's in the 'file/edit/etc' menus along the top of the ACU main window.

 

by: zboxPosted on 2009-07-07 at 08:46:36ID: 24795281

I'm going to try out some of these possible solutions today. Sounds similar to what I was looking for before though, but I'll have another look.

Also will try un-install/re-install the Atheros drivers for the wireless card, drivers only! That's good idea.

A little more background.. I am the administrator and i have assigned this lifebook to a user. If this carries on much further to being a problem, then maybe i'll just add a shortcut to "enable WZC" on the desktop and add the user to the permissions to be able to run the command.

Thanks for input, ill get back with you with more information on what happens.

zbox

 

by: Darr247Posted on 2009-07-07 at 09:49:28ID: 24795887

Uninstalling the Atheros Client Utility in Add/Remove Programs should not remove the drivers.

Uninstalling the drivers generally requires uninstalling the adapter in Device Manager.

 

by: zboxPosted on 2009-07-07 at 10:03:49ID: 24796026

understood. I'll look for that. thanks for clarifying.

 

by: zboxPosted on 2009-08-05 at 13:16:42ID: 25027644

i think the problem still exist. sorry for the lack of updating, but the particular user of the Lifebook needs it so often it gives a very small window of opportunity to actually troubleshoot. but I have not forgotten.

Thanks, answer still pending. I'll update later too.

zbox

 

by: zboxPosted on 2009-08-19 at 06:30:25ID: 25132358

Okay, it takes a while to get things moving here where I work. I know that this works best if things stay in motion sorry.

I was able to find a solution though. Arixsin you were hitting it right on the money.

There is some GPO somewhere that must have been a recent change from the guys "up top" but it will disable the service when my user logs in from time to time. Instead of chasing down the policy and getting others invovled, I decided to work it out from an automation level.

I created a task to enable the wzcsrv and set it to automatic when user logs in. So far this has been working out wonderfully.

Thanks for getting me on the right track. I'm going to accept this as solution and Arixsin has assist.

thanks again EE!

zbox

 

by: zboxPosted on 2009-08-19 at 06:44:36ID: 25132500

This is the code for the batch file to automate wireless zero configuration service.


-------------------
below this line
-------------------

# Enabling Wireless Zero Configuration

echo off

sc config WZCSVC start= auto

net start wzcsvc

:EOF

-------------------
above this line
-------------------

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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