DNS Client (Dnscache) Service Defaults in Windows XP
Resolves and caches Domain Name System (DNS) names for your computer. If this service is stopped, your computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Automatic |
| Display name: | DNS Client |
| Service name: | Dnscache |
| Service type: | share |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | TDI |
| Object: | NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService |
| File: | %SystemRoot%\System32\dnsrslvr.dll |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache |
Default Behavior
DNS Client is a Win32 service. In Windows XP it is starting automatically along with the operating system. Then the DNS Client service is running as NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other services and drivers are allowed to run in the same process. If the DNS Client fails to start, the technical information about the error is added to the Event Log. Windows XP startup should proceed, but a message box should be displayed informing the user that the Dnscache service has failed to start.
Dependencies
DNS Client depends on the TCP/IP Protocol Driver service.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of DNS Client
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which DNS Client depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.1. Run the Command Prompt.
2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config Dnscache start= auto
sc start Dnscache
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The Dnscache service is using the dnsrslvr.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows XP installation media.