Weather gadget not working- Cannot connect to service

Anonymous
2013-01-14T14:07:43+00:00

original title: Weather gadget not working !!

I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64 - bit and my weather gadget is not working, it is displaying a message "Cannot connect to service .

I have also tried by turning off firewall and antivirus but it still don't works for me .

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2013-01-15T09:19:57+00:00

Update:

Microsoft has DISABLED the weather and currency gadgets via a recent Security Update, due to concerns over the vulnerability associated with these gadgets running on your computer. You can read more about it here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2719662 . Adjusting your computer's settings and all these other "suggestions" people are making, will NOT work. The function has been REMOVED from the operating system. It has also been removed from the Windows 8 operating system. There are "theorists" that either agree that there is a security issue within the gadgets or Microsoft just does not want to support gadgets (usually third party software) and thus, has disabled them in Windows 7 and eliminated them in Windows 8.

Thanks to DaveNYC for the Info. Spread the word because many people are facing this problem just like you.

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Anonymous
2015-05-29T15:03:04+00:00

To all having this problem, the following worked for me:

After eading all kind of solutions, I changed the config.xml file according instructions and then I got connected but only to my own location (in my case Amsterdam). Tried everything else, no results, till I only give the exact zip code for the place I like to see the weather in the search menu and guess it worked, then I did the same on my computer in Greece (via teamviewer) and there it worked as well.

I hope it will help you as good as it did for me.

Ron

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-01-04T13:08:25+00:00

    funny bug... been around for a long time... 57 pages...

    The problem seems to have something to do with the time-date stamp of the Weather gadgets "config.xml" file.

    This batch file updates that time-date stamp from almost any location in Windows.

    Copy and paste the text below into a new text file and then change the file extension from .txt to .bat

    Run it whenever the Weather gadget crashes and then choose zip code again.

    Runs best from the Windows7 or Windows10 StartUp folder. Dont have to do anything after this is done.

    Works every time

    rem Touched! - Fixes Weather Gadget by updating "config.xml" file time-date stamp

    cd\

    cd %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live\Services\Cache\

    COPY /B config.xml +,,

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-14T18:07:12+00:00

    It is getting confusing.  Especially when people keep posting about copying files from a working machine.  While that seems to work the other fix is much simpler whether changing the values in the Config.xml file or just resaving it.

    Know this is getting confusing,

    why i suggested if everybody Clicks "Me To" @ 

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-desktop/weather-gadget-not-working-cannot-connect-to/6707d8b4-1a37-4412-a609-5677c9b99a7a?page=9

    the solution presented by RDMullins/ reposted here by AndersWillhelmsson will jump to the top = As of this post, CURRENTLY needs to beAT 32 "Me Too" likes.

    FIRSTLY, im no techie, but i find it stupid a problem first posted 2013, doesnt have this thread running with the most current posts running directly underneath, i.e. backwards (newest first)

    SECONDLY, if i can follow the advice, anybody can!

    3rd - great to give KUDOS if you know the orignal poster, but reposting a working solution isnt an internet crime

    1. to resolve = you DON'T have to have a working Weather gadget on any other machine. Copying files may be solution, but isnt necessarily *THE* solution:
    2. RDMullins/AndersWillhelmsson's solution will work, or atleast worked for me, when i didnt have a working copy elsewhere, and a ZIP files i was directed to, that solution didnt work, either.
    3. I had some provisos/additions

    Where i couldnt find files i had to unhide them:

    easiest way for a non-techie

    START\ Control Panel\ FOLDER OPTIONS\ View  ... and Tick Hidden Files

    "USERNAME" isnt something you search. User name is YOU, whatever your Computer name is.

    For a non techie, you dont even have to know that:

    (Win7) in START \ RUN \ (click on & open up "Run")

    (copy/paste) AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live\Services\Cache (and enter)

    then you will see that Config XML file every one's going on about to edit

    ... follow RM's advice how to modify

    and SAVE

    ADDENDUM... since Page 9 of this thread, my Weather app has thrown another wobbly.

    I've found the solution, is you go back in to the Config XML file, .... and just SAVE.

    Kudos to that person, elsewhere, too.

    Hope this adds some clarity

    Stephen

    Good post WonderWabbit

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-02-14T05:30:04+00:00

    You're full of it. I re-enabled the function of the WX gadget using the copy n paste files from a working machine method MONTHS ago.

    Sting251 gives you the how to below so I won't try to impress anyone by posting the same info, just go read their post. One thing, depending on if you are running x86 or x64. In x64, some of the files eg: settings.ini will be found in the C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar folder. I had to hunt around a bit, but found what I needed. BTW, been blowing Windows up since version 1.0 was released in 1985...then getting paid to do so since 1993...worked for a major broadcast corp as regional IT Dir. with $95 million in stations on my shoulders. One HUGE argument we guys in the field ALWAYS had with the suits at corp. is..they would say.."You can't do it like that, that's not the way it works"....and I would always have to point out, "well, read that book all you want to, draw inside the lines the rest of your life, see how far you get...it's working that way whether MS intended it to or not, but it works and my systems were living proof that just cause the book says it can't be done, isn't always the gospel...

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