Cisco VPN Client with Windows Vista

ByMarc D Anderson

This may be a fairly obscure issue, but it seemed worth mentioning.  If you use the Cisco VPN Client to access any networks and are planning to upgrade your PC from Windows XP to Windows Vista, you shouldn’t.  As of version 5.0.00.0340, the VPN Client isn’t supported if you’ve done the upgrade.  In my case, when I use the client to connect to a network, I totally lose my Internet connection.  Disconnecting the client brings it right back.  If you’re planning to upgrade, be sure to check to see if there is a new version of the client that will work.

From the revision notes:
Revisions:
Release 5.0.00.0340.

Files:
vpnclient-win-msi-5.0.00.0340-k9.exe – Windows 2000, XP and Vista – 32bit only.
vpnclient-win-is-5.0.00.0340-k9.exe – Windows 2000 and XP – 32it only.
update-5.0.00.0340-major-k9.zip – 32bit only.

Advisory:
Windows Vista does NOT support the following:

* Upgrades from Windows XP to Vista.
* Start Before Logon
* SmartCard Authentication
* Integrated Firewall
* InstallShield
* 64bit support
* AutoUpdate
* Online Help – Provided only in English

UPDATE July 25, 2007 – Yet another release of the VPN Client (Release 5.0.01.0600), but it still doesn’t support a system upgraded to Vista.

UPDATE October 17, 2007 – Yes, another release (5.0.02.0600 BETA) that doesn’t support a system upgraded to Vista.  From the release notes: The Cisco VPN Client for Windows Vista does NOT support the following: System upgraded from Windows XP to Vista (clean OS installation required).  When will a useful version be available?!?!

UPDATE November 26, 2007 – Version 5.0.02.0090 was released, still having the note that systems upgraded to Vista are not supported.

UPDATE December 4, 2008 – I haven’t needed to think about this issue for quite a while, but I recently had a client give me version 5.0.01.0600, and it is working fine on my Vista laptop.  I don’t know what might make it different than the previous versions that I have tested, but it is nice that it just worked without any headaches. 

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7 Comments

  1. I got a different issue using smart card with Version 5.0.02.0090 on a clean installation: in fact, cisco client "feels" the smart card, prompts the PIN request window, but it is presented in Windows Vista Session0, therefore PIN is not passed to application. Did you find the same issue?
    Reply

  2. It’s unbelievable that this still isn’t fixed. My Vista is upgraded
    from XP and I get a BSOD once I try to do a file copy when connected
    with the Cisco VPN client. I reproduced the BSOD on a second computer
    as well (different hardware, but also a Vista upgraded from XP).

    Reply
  3. I have an XP machine that was upgraded initially to Vista 64 bit in February and then downgraded to 32 bit.  At no time have I done a clean OS install.  I have the Cisco VPN client version 5.0.01.0600.  My initial testing was done on a 3G connection using a Vodafone connect card.  This worked fine.  But I have had a problem when connecting using my WiFi Broadband connection at home.  Sounds similar to what is reported above.  Connected to the Internet absolutely fine.  Bring up the VPN client and connect and instantly my broadband connection appears to lose connectivity to the Internet.  Status for connection shows ‘Limited connectivity’.  Disconnect the VPN client and Internet access instantly restored.  Does anyone know if Cisco are addressing this situation?
    Reply
  4. Yeah,
    I havent upgraded to 5.0.01.0600 yet still looking for a link to it, but with the .0340 version every once in a while it will blue screen only while connected via cisco vpn. Fresh vista 32 business install.   I’ve got xp pro on a ms virtual pc 2007 image running with the 4.8 client as a  backup.
     
    Reply
  5. The revision notes have been updated to read more clearly (but the same problem exists!).  Hopefully a new, fixed version will be available soon.
     
    Revisions:
    Release 5.0.00.0340.

    Files:
    vpnclient-win-msi-5.0.00.0340-k9.exe – Windows 2000, XP and Vista – 32bit only.
    vpnclient-win-is-5.0.00.0340-k9.exe – Windows 2000 and XP – 32bit only.
    update-5.0.00.0340-major-k9.zip – 32bit only.

    Advisory:
    The Cisco VPN Client for Windows Vista does NOT support the following:

    * System upgraded from Windows XP to Vista (clean OS installation required).
    * Start Before Logon
    * SmartCard Authentication
    * Integrated Firewall
    * InstallShield
    * 64bit support
    * AutoUpdate
    * Translated Online Help – Provided only in English

    Reply
  6. I have this exact issue.  Did a fresh Vista install on a new partition.  Reinstalled the Cisco 5.0.00.0340 VPN client twice.  Connects, then locks as soon as I click the IE icon.
     
    I have another machine on which I did an XP to Vista upgrade.  This one works fine.
    Reply
  7. I have tried all the posted solutions to the Cisco VPN client.  latest Vista beta version.  Installed zonelabs firewall to accomodate my server security issues.  Now – I do connect  –  Oooops – Vista locks solid requiring a hard boot of computer as soon as a info screen from the server is received.
     
    Has anyone had similar total lockups of Vista once the connection has been established?
     
    Tony
    Reply

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