Problem with Group Policy Client

Problem with Group Policy Client

OK heres the problem

When I reboot my Windows 7 ultimate x64 computer I get an ballon message which says theres a problems with Group Policy Client Services and to click on the message to review the System Event Log, the ballon then closes.

When I go to the Services and look at the Group Policy Client it shows as a Startup Type of Automatic. and the Service Status is Stopped. When I click on Properties, The service is shown as StartUp Automatic and Service Status Stopped and the options to start/stop/pause/resume are grayed out and wont do anything.

This is also happening just as I tried to add a 3rd IDE HD for Windows 8 dual boot. could not get the system to boot correctly when just trying to add the HD before installing Windows 8

Any help would be Greatly appreciated!!

Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Amd 250 Dual core 3.0Gz
4.00 Gb ram
1 SATA HD boot drive
1 IDE data drive, trying to add the second IDE drive

I FOUND SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM!
The crash of your computer during Windows Updates has caused that !
I had this issue on my laptop since November, and it really bugged me. I sifted through the event log and found the pattern of events that preceded the issue, and, probably, caused it.

In short, the pattern is as follows: Windows updates run automatically as scheduled, and when reboot is initiated after the updates are finished, the computer crashes (probably during reboot sequence). When it boots up, it reports that the last shutdown was unexpected, and the issue begins to occur.

I spent 2 days trying to dig out a solution from the Internet, to no avail, until I came across this page. It doesn't say anything about this particular problem, but it gives more information about SVCHOST process that starts many services, including Group Policy Client. It looks like during reboot a vital registry settings were lost during crash and Group Policy Client "don't know" how to start. Let me explain:

There are two places to look in the registry:

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services this path should contain gpsvc key (a folder), which is responsible for service parameters and configuration. I found that the key was intact, so, you do not touch anything here - just check that the key exists.
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SVCHOST This is the most important path you should look into, as it must contain the keys and values referred in the key #1. Below are descriptions what must be present there.

• There must be Multi-String value called GPSvcGroup. My laptop was missing it. So, you should create multi-string value named GPSvcGroup and assign it value GPSvc.
• Next, you must create a key (a folder) and name it GPSvcGroup - this key normally should be there, but, again, it was missin on my laptop.
• Then open newly-created GPSvcGroup folder and create 2 DWORD values:

1. First called AuthenticationCapabilities and you must give it a value of 0x00003020 (or 12320 in decimal)
2. Second is called CoInitializeSecurityParam and it must have value of 1.

Once you complete all steps above, reboot the computer and the problem will be fixed.
Video walkthrough for those who are not very technical is here: "Windows cannot connect to Group Policy Client services" how to fix. - YouTube
I am so relieved I was able to fix it, and hope this will help others with the similar issue.

Thanks PLX
This worked on my system !!

Sorry to rehash an old thread, (very lol).



Having exactly the same problem. I think it started off with a trojan built into third party software. I have sucessfully removed this trojan, but trying to piece together the remnents of of the aftermath. Same problem, the windows services are not loading on boot.


Ive run through msconfig, ive run through services to auto if required, ive rebuilt this registry key 3 times, erm, even though i hate fishing through registry keys!! But doesnt everyone?


BTW I'm a tecchy myself by trade, spent 24 years working with windows, some server, some scripting, and so on.


My machine is a 10 year old Lenovo B560, Win 7 Pro x64 Build 7801 SP1 (Not the best platform, I know, bfore anyone gets back to me on that.) But this is a brain scratcher, even at my level!


Also, no i dont have system restore points as i was saving on space, (yes, i should know better), and no a wipe and start fresh is not an option either. Windows 7 boot repair options are no help. i did want to upgrade to 8 but the version i have doesnt like my system.


Any ideas, hints, tips would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you so much in advance. Chat soon peeps.