Why are my Agents offline?

The Windows Trace Session Manager service does not start in the timeout value that is specified by Service Control Manager (SCM). By default, the timeout value is 30000 milliseconds (30 seconds).

Additionally, the system event log indicates this timeout failure by a log entry that is similar to:

• Source : Service Control Manager
• Event ID : 7000

The Windows Trace Session Manager service failed to start due to the following error:

• The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.
• (For more information, see the Help and Support Center at http://support.microsoft.com )

This problem becomes apparent when the installation of Microsoft Enterprise Instrumentation Framework (EIF) is not completed. This problem may also become apparent during the computer startup.

Workaround

To work around this problem, increase the default timeout value for the service control manager in the registry.

Warning

Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To increase the timeout value in the registry, follow these steps:

• Start Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
• To change the value data for the ServicesPipeTimeout DWORD value to 60000 in the Control key, follow these steps:

1. Locate and then click the following registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet
2. Click the Control subkey
3. Right-click the ServicesPipeTimeout DWORD value, and then click Modify.
4. Click Decimal.
5. Type 60000, and then click OK.

• If the ServicesPipeTimeoutvalue is not available, add the new DWORD value, and then set its value data to 60000 in the Control To do so, follow these steps:

1. Locate and then click the following registry key: KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet
2. Click the Control
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type ServicesPipeTimeout, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click the ServicesPipeTimeout DWORD value, and then click Modify.
6. Click Decimal.
7. Type a value of 60000, and then click OK. 
   
   The value is 60000 milliseconds and is equivalent to 60 seconds or to one minute.

Note This change does not take effect until the computer is restarted.

More information

After you increase the ServicesPipeTimeout value in the registry, the service control manager waits for the services to use the whole ServicesPipeTimeout value before the system event log reports that the program did not start.

For services that depend on the Windows Trace Session Manager service and that require several minutes of startup, a value of 60 seconds may not be sufficient time. Therefore, increase the ServicesPipeTimeout value appropriately. This increased value will give all the dependent services sufficient time to start.