Windows Programs will not run

[kmbdcb]

I have an HP Laptop runnng Windows Vista Home 32 Bit.

Yesterday my daughter turned on the computer and logged in, and no Windows programs will run. I have tried to run programs from the start menu but nothing works. I have also looked at Task Manager and tried to run programs but that does not work either. I looked at the services that are running and I have noticed that many services show stopped. I tried to start the wscsvc, Security Center, service and when I right click and click start, Task Manager locks up. I also noticed that my Network connection shows it is not connected but I am able to run Firefox and can view web pages. I have tried to download a fix it program but I am unable to save any files that I try to download.

Thanks for any help someone may be able to provide.

 

[richc46]

See if it can be run in Safe Mode. Tap f8 quickly and rapidly during boot.

 

[kmbdcb]

Yes it will run in Safe Mode

 

[richc46]

There is a good chance that it will work with a clean boot, if so follow this procedure to find the cause of your problem.

If it does not work the problem may be a driver.

You may be able to correct that problem by doing an SFC

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

 

[kmbdcb]

Thanks for your help! The cleanboot did not work so I went the SFC command.

After running the SFC /scannow, I got a message that there were some files that could not be fixed. So I checked the SFC log file. In looking at the log file, it appears that the files that are corrupt are with the Windows Side Bar. The problem I have it that trying to figure out which files are corrupted. It all makes no sense to me. Thanks for anything you can tell me! I am going to try and find out how to disable the Windows Sidebar and see if that will let me start normally

 

[richc46]

SFC is great, but if there are a number of files they may not all be fixed at first pass; run it several times. If the files cannot be fixed, unless there is an easy manual fix, a repair install can usually take care of it.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance Maintenance

 

[kmbdcb]

Thanks, I will run it a few more times. I am only able to get a command prompt in Safemode. So this is the only place I can run the SFC, does this make a difference?

 

[richc46]

Here is out tutorial on SFC. It mentions, in passing, that SFC can be done in safe mode. It has no effect on the outcome. The tutorial is given to you for all the other valuable information that may benefit you.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

 

[kmbdcb]

Now when I try to run SFC /scannow, it starts then the computer shuts down.

 

[richc46]

Does it still run ok in safe mode without SFC.

You may want to try system restore.

 

[kmbdcb]

Thanks Rich! The computer will still run in safemode but if I run any SFC commands it shuts down. Very strange! I am going to back up all of the files and do a full restore. Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[richc46]

Try a repair install first

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance Maintenance

 

[kmbdcb]

Now it will not boot up at all, it starts to come up then shuts down.

 

[richc46]

We can probably still salvage it with a startup repair, but since you mentioned a new install, why not do it?

 

[njmiano]

I don't mean to Hijack the thread, But I am having the same issue on 2 identical computers that I am fixing for someone and a restore is not an option, I may do a repair install but would much rather try to find the problem.

Here are some of the problems...
sfc only works in safe mode and gives the same error about Windows side bar...when I run as admin in regular mode, the cursor disappears, and nothing happens.
Firefox works, IE will not connect (ping works also)
Any installs in regular mode freeze before completed (I can install 3rd party programs in safe mode)
No programs will load on Startup (Kapersky, carbonite, Superanti-spyware, etc)
Files on desktop have generic icons.
Can not access windows updates, records of updates, system restore (except safe mode), msconfig freezes when applying changes.

There are more that I think you can get the point. They all seem to involve windows services that are not functioning.

I have run all kinds of virus scans (including boot cd's) and nothing is found. It seems that this may have started for the customer around the time of the last Tuesday updates, but I can not be sure.

Please help, as I have a feeling this is not the only person having these troubles.

Thanks,
Nick