Suggest you use 5.0.0.CR2; there have been improvements in the group formation logic since beta4. If you still have issues, please post a description of exactly what you are seeing. There's no way to prevent joining a group until all other services have started; a number of services depend on properly being part of the group. View the original post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=4193535#... Reply to the post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=posting&mode=reply&a...