Event ID 7020: Circular Dependency Afd Service Depends on...

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade from Windows NT version 3.1 or 3.51 to Windows NT version 4.0, the following message may appear in Event Viewer:

   Event ID 7020: EVENT_DEPEND_ON_LATER_SERVICE: Circular Dependency - 
   The Afd service depends on a service in a group that starts later.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if information in the registry is not updated or removed during the upgrade process.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) and locate the following registry subkey in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree:

         SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Afd
   

2. Locate the DependOnGroup value and then double-click it.

3. Delete the current value, and then click OK.

4. The value should appear as follows:

         DependOnGroup:REG_MULTI_SZ:
   

5. Quit Registry Editor and then restart your computer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.