Cannot complete boot - SYMWSC.EXE error

[Alain]

Hi,
This morning while I was booting my laptop in Windows XP Home edition
(SP-2), I received the following message:
"SYMWSC.EXE - Application Error. The instruction at "0x00E50D5" reference
memory at "0x00000000". The memory could not be read."
When I press CANCEL (or OK) the system does not complete the booting
process and sits in a splash window. The cursor can move but the computer
does not respond to any keyboard commands.
I have disconnected all outside peripherals (including wireless network
card) and the problem still happens. I have tried booting in the SAFE mode
with the same results. I found out that "symwsc.exe" is part of Norton
(Symantec Security Centre) but could not find how to work around this
problem. I currently run Norton Anti-Virus 2005 on my laptop.
I have carried out a full hardware diagnostic (including extensive
testing of the RAM) and all is fine. When booting in DOS, I can see that all
my files are intact and accessible.
My laptop has been working very well for the past 12 months and the
last application that was installed was SKYPE (Voice Over IP) about one week
ago. I never had any booting problem since that installation. The last virus
and spyware scan were done just a few days ago and everything was fine.
Does anyone have an idea about working around this problem? Is there a
way to Restore Windows XP to an earlier time from a DOS or other non-window
OS? Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you,
Alain

 

[Brian A.]

Please keep the same subject in the original thread you started
yesterday. This way any others who may be able to help can see what has
been asked/tried to resolve the issue which then will not be repeated.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

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