[FIX] Windows Vista or Server 2008 Computer Hangs and Stops Responding While Applying User Settings at Login Screen

Many Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 users have faced an annoying problem when their computers hang and stop responding at the stage of “Applying User Settings” of login screen.

The situation gets worse when they find that the “Network Connections” folder in Control Panel is empty.

Also following services are not started at startup by Windows even though these services are set to Automatic startup type:

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  • Print Spooler
  • Terminal Services
  • Server service
  • Remote Registry
  • Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
  • Distributed Transaction Coordinator
  • Any services that are related to applications

According to Microsoft, this issue typically occurs after you install a server certificate and then configure Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) on the computer. For example, you install a SSL server certificate in Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 and then enable HTTPS on your website to use the certificate.

The Service Control Manager tries to start the HTTP.sys service and then puts a lock in place in the Service Control Manager database. Then, HTTP.sys makes a call that requires Cryptographic Services during startup. Then, a request is sent to start Cryptographic Services. However, a lock is already in place in the Service Control Manager database. Therefore, a deadlock occurs.

HOW TO FIX?

To fix the issue, we’ll need to modify behavior of HTTP.sys so that it can depend on crytosvc service to be started first.

Simply follow these simple steps to fix the issue:

1. Type regedit in RUN or Start Menu search box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\HTTP

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3. In right-side pane, create a new Multi-String value DependOnService and set its value to CRYPTSVC

Vista_Server_2008_Hangs_Login_Screen.png

4. Close Registry Editor and restart your system. It’ll fix the problem.

PS: You can also download following ready-made Fixit to fix the issue automatically:

Download Fixit to Fix the Issue

Microsoft has also released a hotfix to fix this annoying problem which can be downloaded using following link:

Download Hotfix

Thanks to our friend “Rob Margel” for sharing it…

Also check:

[Tips] Things To Do When Computer Hangs or Freezes

Solution: Windows Vista Explorer Hangs while Copying Files from External Media

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows Vista

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

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