The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000142). Click OK to terminate

About a few weeks ago my computer shut down because my sister accidentaly took the plug out. After I turned the computer back on it said i need to repair it. I used the startup repair and it didn't work, turning on to a black log in screen. After that I restarted it again, went to restore and restored it. It did the same exact thing when i turned it on but I actually could log in (still a black screen but I pressed enter and put in password, still black, but it signed me in). After that everytime I would try to open any programs (iTuned, Google Chrome,Adobe,etc) an error message comes up for .exe files. The ArcCon. ac error stays on the screen because if I click OK it always comes back up. The only program that works is Internet Explorere. Also, I cannot download anything. I can go to Control Panel, but when I click on Programs, then Programs and Features it won't open. When I go to System properties or Windows Updates a page loads up saying "The page failed to load". I've scaned my computer and no viruses show up. HELP ME, I really don't know what else to do.

Hello, go to start, all programs, accessories, right click command prompt and have it open as Admin user, then type this without quotes and notice spacing " sfc /scannow " then press enter. After it fixes what it can, hopefully this will actually run, it leaves a file of results on your hard drive which can be seen by typing this into the start , search window : Type sfcdetails.txt in Search programs and files and press Enter. You can open that in notepad and see what did not get repaired. Usually, because a good copy of the file was not found, which would mean a repair of the registry is required. Lets hope it can repair any software issues.
On the other hand , if you have hardware issues, that will take some trouble shooting. Upon restart , if you still have issues, check in Device maanger, which you would find in control panel , if it will open up for you , or another way is to type in the search pane off of the start button : device manager and open it that way, look for any yellow or red caution symbols , if you see any , right click and select update driver.

Post back results please.

I went to start, all programs, accesories and tried to run as administrator. this error message came up

C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
File system error (-1073741502).

Try to install Ubuntu and back up your stuff. Then peform a factory reinstall with your Vista DVD or the factory image that is on your hard drive
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

I installed Ubuntu twice and when i click on it to open in it it says "windows cannot find this file"

Do it again carefully and slowly. If it does not work and you did it correctly, it probably means a hardware problem
A bad shut down can cause problems, may be harddrive problem

Okay so I tried again. I can download the Ubuntu, but since its an iso file i need wubi...i downloaded wubi, but I cannot instal it because i get an error message.

Did you try a system restore for a few days before the shutdown?

yes! unfortunately it wouldn't let me do it.

Tried in safe mode?

umm no. what should i do in safe mode? I'm not very good with computers

I tried that and i get an error message

Do you have stuff on the computer that you prefer not to lose?

yes, lots of music and pictures.

I can probably get you up and running, but all will be lost. I usually tell members to use Ubuntu, but that does not work for you.

Do you think I can backup my files some other way?

No Ubuntu
No safe mode
No start up.
See if this helps.

If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD.
Hard Disc Controller must be set to IDE in BIOS and Bios must be set to boot from the CD Boot Priority - Change

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.

blah it doesn't work. at least not the first option. I wanna try system recovery options but im afraid it will delete all my files.

Ill be honest, I think that your files have the potential to be lost. You should always have backups, just in case