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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

632 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-08T01:27:50+00:00

    Thu Win, already tried most the fixes and "breaking" you're running sting251 through and I can confirm that sting's method did fix the issue, with all sidebar tasks closed, uninstall, reinstalled, 32bit side bar, 64bit side bar, open, closed, cache cleared, settings.ini deleted in the program folders, etc. etc. It works. It works great.

     

    Again, thanks Sting for figuring out a fix. Managed to snag some working files from a friends computer and loaded them onto mine. Irks me when things don't work. Saved me some hair pulling.

    Awesome!!! I am so glad it seems to be working for pretty much everyone so far.  I posted it on a few other Microsoft threads on here as well with people asking the same thing about their broken Weather gadget. It is amazing to see how many people really like this little thing! It's the only gadget I have ever used personally. I understand that there are some security vulnerabilities that Microsoft has identified with gadgets in general. However, if a person is somewhat knowledgable in keeping their machine and their network secure, the weather gadget is pretty harmless for home use. That said, my company does disable Sidebar.exe via group policy lol

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-03-08T01:29:10+00:00

    I got the fix!  I have simplified the instructions (only need the config file NOT the settings.ini file (I think)).

    https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1Tan13i1a63OGxTYkVvZGdvS3c/edit?usp=sharing

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-08T01:41:15+00:00

    I got the fix!  I have simplified the instructions (only need the config file NOT the settings.ini file (I think)).

     

    https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1Tan13i1a63OGxTYkVvZGdvS3c/edit?usp=sharing

    That is great news!!! Yes, I am not 100% sure if you actually need to replace the settings.ini file. I still have a gut feeling that it is a crucial part of the functionality of the gadget. If it is just the config.xml file that fixes it great because that will make it easier for people to try on their machines.

    However, please keep in mind that the settings.ini file on my dad's machine was missing at least 5 lines of information. As far as I am concerned, it does not hurt to replace them both along with pasting in a known good cache. It would only take the average user another 30 seconds at most to do so since all three actions are performed in the same general area of the Windows 7 directory structure :-)

    Thanks Thu and have a great evening.

    -Will

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments