When you restart a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Server, the computer stops responding, or the "Applying computer settings" screen appears for longer than you expect

When you restart a Windows Server 2003-based computer or a Windows 2000 Server-based computer, you experience one of the following symptoms:

• During startup, the "Applying computer settings" screen appears, and the computer stops responding.
• During startup, the "Applying computer settings" screen appears and remains for longer than you expect.
• During startup, before the logon screen appears, a blue screen that has a blinking pointer appears, and the computer stops responding.
• The Network connections folder is empty.
• You cannot open the Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel.
• The APC Agent stops responding while it is starting.
• You cannot start or stop services.
• The server responds slowly to graphical user interface (GUI) functions.
• When you try to open Disk Management, you receive one of the following messages:
  Waiting to connect
  Connecting to Logical Disk Manager service
  Disk Management never opens.
• When applying security patches, whether from Windows Update or manually, the system stops at "Inspecting your configuration."

This problem occurs because of a problem with version 6.x of APC PowerChute Business Edition Software.

APC has issued the following official statement about this issue:

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Restart the computer in Safe Mode:
   1. Restart the computer. When the "Please select the operating system to start" message appears, press F8.
   2. Under Windows Advanced Options Menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.
      
      Note NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.
   3. If you are running other operating systems on the computer, use the arrow keys to select the operating system that you want, and then press ENTER.
2. Log on to the computer as a local administrator.
3. Disable the APCPBEAgent service and the APCPBEServer service:
   1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
   2. In the right pane, right-click APCPBEAgent, and then click Properties.
   3. In the Startup type list, click to select Disabled, and then click OK.
   4. In the right pane, right-click APCPBEServer, and then click Properties.
   5. In the Startup type list, click to select Disabled, and then click OK.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Install the latest version of the APC PowerChute software. For more information about how to obtain an update for the PowerChute Business Edition version 6. x software, visit the following APC Web site:
   http://www.apc.com (http://www.apc.com/)

To work around this problem, re-register Msiexec.exe. To do this, click Start, click Run, type msiexec /regserver, and then click OK.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

For more information about how to upgrade to PowerChute Business Edition v7.x, visit the following Microsoft APC Web site: APC PowerChute Business Edition v6 uses a Sun Java Run Time Engine that expired from service on July 27, 2005. APC now uses PowerChute Business Edition to communicate and to manage UPS (uninterruptible power supply and battery back up) systems. For more information about a critical update that is required for PowerChute Business Edition, visit the following APC Web site:

For more information, visit the following APC Web site: For more information, visit the following Sun Web site:
For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: