Microsoft KB Archive/824516

Knowledge Base

"Virtual PC Could Not Open Its Emulated Ethernet Switch Driver" Error Message After You Install a Virtual PC Update

Article ID: 824516

Article Last Modified on 8/4/2003

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APPLIES TO

• Connectix Virtual PC for Windows 5.2
• Connectix Virtual PC for Windows 5.1
• Connectix Virtual PC for Windows 5.0
• Connectix Virtual PC for Windows 4.3
• Connectix Virtual PC for Windows 4.2
• Connectix Virtual PC for Windows 4.1
• Connectix Virtual PC for Windows 4.0

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SYMPTOMS

When you start Virtual PC after you install or upgrade Virtual PC, you may receive an error message similar to the following error message on the host PC:

Virtual PC could not open its emulated Ethernet switch driver. Virtual switch networking will be disabled. To fix this problem, reenable the Virtual PC Emulated Ethernet Switch service or reinstall Virtual PC.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if the Virtual PC Emulated Ethernet Switch is not installed correctly on the host PC.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Remove and Then Reinstall the Virtual PC Emulated Ethernet Switch

To remove and then reinstall the Virtual PC Emulated Ethernet Switch:

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

1. If you installed Virtual PC on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, a Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer, or a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0-based computer, log on to the computer as a user who is a member of the local Administrators group.
2. Make sure that the Devices: Unsigned driver installation behavior local security policy is set appropriately:
   1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
   2. Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools.
   3. Double-click Local Security Policy.
   4. In the left pane, expand Local Policies, and then click Security Options.
   5. In the right pane, double-click Devices: Unsigned driver installation behavior.
   6. Make sure that the local security setting is set to one of the following options, and then click OK:
      • Warn but allow installation
      • Silently succeed
3. Remove the Virtual PC Emulated Ethernet Switch:
   1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
   2. Click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
   3. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties.
   4. Click the General tab.
   5. In the This connection uses the following items list, click Virtual PC Emulated Ethernet Switch, and then click Uninstall.
   6. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the removal.
4. Reinstall the Virtual PC Emulated Ethernet Switch:
   1. On the General tab of the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box, click Install.
   2. In the Select Network Component Type box, click Service, and then click Add.
   3. In the Select Network Service dialog box, click Have Disk.
   4. Click Browse, and then locate the following folder:

      Drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Virtual PC\Utility\VPCnetsv

      Note This is the location of the VPCnetsv folder in a default installation Virtual PC.
5. Make sure that VPCNetS2.inf appears in the File name box, and then click Open.
6. Click OK two times.
7. Make sure that Virtual PC Emulated Ethernet Switch appears in the This connection uses the following items list (and that the check box that is next to it is selected), and then click Close.

If these steps do not resolve the issue that the "Symptoms" section of this article describes, use method 2.

Method 2: Remove and Then Reinstall Virtual PC

To remove and then reinstall Virtual PC:

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

1. If you installed Virtual PC on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, on a Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer, or on a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0-based computer, log on to the computer as a user who is a member of the local Administrators group.
2. Remove Virtual PC:
   1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
   2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
   3. In the list of currently installed programs, click Virtual PC, and then click Remove.
   4. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the removal.
3. Restart the computer.
4. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
5. Click Network and Internet Connections, click Network Connections.
6. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties.
7. Click the General tab.
8. Make sure that Virtual PC Emulated Ethernet Switch does not appear in the This connection uses the following items list.
9. Run Virtual PC Setup to reinstall Virtual PC.

Keywords: kbprb KB824516

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