Q. When you start Windows Server 2003 the first time after installing SP1, you receive 'Service Control Manager: Windows could not be started as configured'?

After installing SP1 (Service Pack 1) on Windows Server 2003, the first restart generates:

Service Control Manager: Windows could not be started as configured. A previous working configuration was used instead.

This behavior occurs because of a failed control set.

To prevent this error message:

1. Open a CMD.EXE window.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

reg add HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlWindows /V NoPopUpsOnBoot /T REG_DWORD /F /D 1