Topic: Windows XP services won't start

[Aaron]

Hello everyone.

I don't know what the precipitating factor was but, as the subject eludes to, services in XP won't start on their own even though they are set to 'automatic'.  For example, the DHCP client and Wireless Zero Configuration services don't start with windows and therefore I have no wifi but if I manually start them the wifi works properly. The same for audio and others I'm sure, I can't say I have much knowledge of what each service does. I have uninstalled everything, just in case and system restore fails on each attempt (whichever restore point I choose).  I have taken my original antivirus software off and put AVG (the free one) on and scanned. It did find a couple of things but although I've removed them the problem persists. 

The only option I can think of is over-laying a fresh XP install over this one and see if it replaces the corrupted/damaged files but I would rather not if possible, I have no idea where my floppy disc drive is and I don't want to mess about installing it with all the hooha that causes.

If you have any ideas they are most welcome.

Regards
Aaron

[Rik]

Can you identify anything you'd done just before things stopped working?

[Aaron]

Well, I installed Norton Systemworks 2009 but it wasn't until maybe 7-10 restarts later that this change occurred. It may have been something to do with it but I have uninstalled it with no effect. A week before that I installed Endnote, although I haven't uninstalled it I would be surprised if it was the culprit.

[Rik]

Have a look at this:

http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-11184-0.html?forumID=47&threadID=188766

[Rik]

Or this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922376

[Simon]

Hi Aaron,

Sorry to cover the basics, but have you actually gone into the Services panel, and set the ones you want to start to Automatic?

[Aaron]

Thank you Rik, I am running anti-spyware and another anti-virus scan to see if they pick anything up.

Hi Simon.  I haven't played with the automatic/manual/disabled setting because I don't know what I need and what I don't.  The ones I have enabled manually all say automatic so I don't think whatever is causing this has altered their status but is somehow preventing them from starting when they are needed.

[Rik]

Take a look here, Aaron, for which does what (and what you don't need):

http://www.blackviper.com/

[Simon]

OK, so, specifically, what do you need to start up that isn't?  If it's just wi-fi, is this using a dongle, a network card, or is it a laptop with wi-fi built in?

[Sandra]

If you suspect damaged or missing system files then place your XP CD in the CD or DVD drive and go to Start then Run and type in SFC /SCANNOW and press OK.
Note that there is a space between the C of SFC and the /
This will check your registry and replace any missing or corrupted files without causing any problems with your other programs.

[Aaron]

Many thanks to all of you for replying. After running five different anti-malware and anti-virus programmes I have apparently corrected the problem. System restore seemed to continually be a problem so I have disabled it.

When I have a little more time I will likely wipe the computer and re-install just to tidy things up but everything is working now.

One final thing.  Can you suggest two free programmes that are useful as anti-virus and anti-malware? I am currently using AVG as anti-virus and Super Anti-spyware.

[Simon]

Hi Aaron,

When you have a virus, or malware, it can sometimes lodge in the System Restore folder, so if at first a virus scan doesn't succeed, it's best to disable System Restore, which automatically deletes the folder, and stops the virus / malware coming back.

Super Anti-Spyware is a good product to have, as is Malwarebytes, which is also available in a free version.  As far as anti-virus goes, we've had quite a few instances of people getting infected when using AVG, so, personally, I wouldn't rate it.  Avast offer a free AV product.  I would have recommended you try Microsoft Security Essentials, as I've heard good reports about it, but I believe it only works on Vista upwards.

Glad you got sorted, anyway.