The post from June 9th, Software : Cisco VPN software / Error 56 (http://techgeekandmore NULL.com/2009/06/06/software-cisco-vpn-software-error-56/), talked about what to do if you got Error 56 when trying to start the Cisco VPN software.  Since then I have received a number of reports that the post was a solution but not for everyone, that a few people still had the problem even after making the recommended changes.

     So here is some additional information that I hope helps resolve the issue for those who are still battling with this. 

Vista/Windows 7

     1st thing if you are trying to install the VPN software on Windows Vista or Windows 7, you need to install this signed in on an account with administrative rights and additionally with the UAC (User Account Control) settings in the off position. 

     To do this you need to go to Start –> Control Panel –>  User Accounts –> in the user account screen (select your sign-in name if you see more than one 1sted). Look at the line directly under your name make sure it says administrator (If it doesn’t click where it says change your account type and select administrator), then select the User Account Control settings selection in the middle of the page

 

 

    Then from The UAC move the selection to Never notify.

 

     The UAC “aims to improve the security of Microsoft Windows by limiting application software to standard user privileges until an administrator authorizes an increase in privilege level” or in other words, makes you just a user on your machine, unless you tell it (each time the prompt appears) that its ok to be admin by entering your password.  The problem with Cisco VPN software is that the versions that exist require full administrative rights (The Cisco software was designed before the UAC existed). 

     Once you have made the change you must reboot (The change in the UAC only takes place after reboot). 

     Once you have rebooted and signed back in.  Uninstall the Cisco VPN software using Programs and Features which is located at start –> Control Panel –> Programs and Features. Select the CiscoVPN software and select uninstall.  Once the uninstall completes, reboot again. 

     Once you have signed back in from this reboot, you can then reinstall the VPN software.  At the end of the reinstall, reboot 1 more time and then try and use the Cisco VPN Software.

All Users

     Another thing to try involves setting the ICS (Internet Connection setting) to disabled.  In the original post I said that you could set ICS to manual.  For some setting ICS to disabled seems to work as well.

If this helps let me know, if the issue still continues please provide as much detail as possible as to the type of pc and versions of software installed (OS, Version of Cisco VPN, Type of Anti-Virus) and I will continue to work on a solution.

************************************************************************

June 6, 2009

Software : Cisco VPN software / Error 56 (http://techgeekandmore NULL.com/2009/06/06/software-cisco-vpn-software-error-56/)

Filed under: Cisco (http://en NULL.wordpress NULL.com/tag/cisco/), Computer (http://en NULL.wordpress NULL.com/tag/computer/), Software (http://en NULL.wordpress NULL.com/tag/software/), Tech (http://en NULL.wordpress NULL.com/tag/tech/), VPN (http://en NULL.wordpress NULL.com/tag/vpn/) — techgeekandmore @ 8:13 am Edit This (http://techgeekandmore NULL.com/wp-admin/post NULL.php?action=edit&post=260)
Tags: Cisco (http://en NULL.wordpress NULL.com/tag/cisco/), Cisco VPN, Error 56, VPN (http://en NULL.wordpress NULL.com/tag/vpn/)

     If you use the Cisco VPN software you may get a message that says “Error 56: The Cisco Systems, Inc. VPN Service has not been started”.

The problem is as a result of the windows service ccvpnd.exe (Services are in Control panel – Administrative tools – services) which may be listed as automatic start but will not start.  Even if you manually attempt to start it, it will shut down just seconds after starting.

The solution is actually a simple one. The problem is caused by Internet connection sharing (ICS) service also being set to automatically start. So in the same service area look for Internet Connection Sharing service, turn it from Automatically starting to Manual (By right clicking – select properties – and the select manual in the drop menu where it says automatic, and also press the stop button just above the drop menu before hitting ok) , and then go back and start the Cisco service on the list. Cisco service will not be killed again.

ICS set to manual does not affect internet services, it just means that it will not start at pc boot up, it will start at the point that the service is needed.  In the majority of cases that will be never unless you connect to the internet via another pc, most everyone connects to the internet via a modem connection or a wireless or wired router (Linksys / D-Link) connection.