Event Logs "The interface is unknown" - Need Help

[Bill Mathews]

When I try to view an event log in the Event Viewer, I get the message
"Unable to complete the operation on _______ [Application, Security,
System]. The interface is unknown."

The suggested fix in the MSKB is to run services.msc, go to the Event Log
entry and change the properties etc.

The only slight problem with the suggested fix is that my services.msc list
has no entry for 'Event Log' or anything similar that I can see. There
simply is no such service even listed, so I can't change its properties.

This reflects a more general problem with Windows services on my computer.
Some other services that are present in the services.msc list won't start,
even though the service that they are dependent on has started.

I've reinstalled SP2, which solved some but not all of the problems with
services and other problems.

I'm becoming very much afraid the only solution is to reformat and try to
load from a backup.

Anyone have any suggestions to try before I do that?

BTW, I've already tried (early on in the process) going back to a restore
point from a date when everything was working. Didn't solve the problems.

Thanks to all.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi Bill,

You may try a repair installation, using the slipstreamed XP CD (SP2
integration) so that the SP level is retained.

How to integrate Windows XP Service Pack 2 files into the Windows XP
installation folder:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/900871/
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


When I try to view an event log in the Event Viewer, I get the message
"Unable to complete the operation on _______ [Application, Security,
System]. The interface is unknown."

The suggested fix in the MSKB is to run services.msc, go to the Event Log
entry and change the properties etc.

The only slight problem with the suggested fix is that my services.msc list
has no entry for 'Event Log' or anything similar that I can see. There
simply is no such service even listed, so I can't change its properties.

This reflects a more general problem with Windows services on my computer.
Some other services that are present in the services.msc list won't start,
even though the service that they are dependent on has started.

I've reinstalled SP2, which solved some but not all of the problems with
services and other problems.

I'm becoming very much afraid the only solution is to reformat and try to
load from a backup.

Anyone have any suggestions to try before I do that?

BTW, I've already tried (early on in the process) going back to a restore
point from a date when everything was working. Didn't solve the problems.

Thanks to all.