Cannot complete Windows XP 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.]

See if you can boot to Safe Mode W/Network Support
If you can see if you can run NAVs live update.

--

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

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Alain]

Brian,
Unfortunately, the result is the same (in all safe mode options) :
the Windows blue splash screen with the Windows XP logo is as far as it will
go. Using ERD Commander, I was able to access my files and I have renamed
the SYMWSC.EXE file to SYMWSC_Temp.EXC in the hope that the offending file
would not be found in the booting process. The only effect this had was to
no longer show the error message.
I have tried the Recovey util from the Windows installation disk.
However, it wants the Administrator's password, which of course I do not
have. After that, I've used a utility to reset the administrator password.
However, the Recovery util of Windows XP reboots the computer every time I
reach the point where I am supposed to enter the password.
The most frustrating part is that all my file seems to be intact (I
also have a recent backup) but I would like to avoid reinstalling all my
applications, including the reactivation of many pieces of software. One
thing for sure, if I have to do this from scratch, Norton Anti-Virus will
not be part of the package.
Thank you for taking the time to help me. I'm open to any suggestions.
Alain

 

[Brian A.]

Brian,
Unfortunately, the result is the same (in all safe mode options)
: the Windows blue splash screen with the Windows XP logo is as far as it
will go. Using ERD Commander, I was able to access my files and I have
renamed the SYMWSC.EXE file to SYMWSC_Temp.EXC in the hope that the
offending file would not be found in the booting process. The only effect
this had was to no longer show the error message.
I have tried the Recovey util from the Windows installation disk.
However, it wants the Administrator's password, which of course I do not
have. After that, I've used a utility to reset the administrator
password. However, the Recovery util of Windows XP reboots the computer
every time I reach the point where I am supposed to enter the password.

IIRC you can hold down ctrl+alt and press del twice at the Welcome screen
and it will get you the classic logon window.
Type in Administrator as the user name, do not type in a pw, leave it blank
and press Enter.


--

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

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Alain]

I do not even get to the Welcome Screen. To recap:
- Only a splash screen is visible (blue background with the Windows XP logo)
- The error message, as described earlier, appears.
- The cursor is still moving.
- At that point, pressing Alt-Tab shows the stamp images of the error
message window, and the Windows Logon. If the Logon item is selected, it is
not shown on the screen.
- Pressing OK or Cancel removes the error message and the system does not go
any further. (Pressing Alt-Tab shows nothing)
- I do not have the administrative password; cannot use Windows XP recovery.
- I have many utilities on CD but the laptop has no floppy drive.
- Using ERD Commander, I can access most of my working files (which are
backed up) but I want to avoid a complete reinstallation of the
applications.

Thank you for the help provided so far. Any other suggestions much
appreciated. I'm willing to try anything.
Alain

 

[Brian A.]

I do not even get to the Welcome Screen. To recap:
- Only a splash screen is visible (blue background with the Windows XP
logo)
- The error message, as described earlier, appears.
- The cursor is still moving.
- At that point, pressing Alt-Tab shows the stamp images of the error
message window, and the Windows Logon. If the Logon item is selected, it
is
not shown on the screen.
- Pressing OK or Cancel removes the error message and the system does not
go
any further. (Pressing Alt-Tab shows nothing)
- I do not have the administrative password; cannot use Windows XP
recovery.

To recap:
<quote>
I have tried the Recovey util from the Windows installation disk.
However, it wants the Administrator's password, which of course I do not
have. After that, I've used a utility to reset the administrator password.
However, the Recovery util of Windows XP reboots the computer every time I
reach the point where I am supposed to enter the password.
</quote>

What type of install disk is it? Have your tried a Repair Install?

How to start the Setup program from MS-DOS in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

What did you use to install NAV? If the NAV2005 install disk is like
NIS2005, it has an Uninstall option. Have you tried running it to
uninstall NAV?
Another long shot as I have not tried it, but I wonder if the removal tools
offered by Symantec will work off a floppy at a DOS prompt. May be
unlikely, but worth a shot in the end.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/SymRem.htm

--

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

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[coal_brona]

Hello,

If you wish to reser admin password I suppose you trying Active@
Password Changer. That is a really useful utility that helped me much
before. It is small and easy to use yet really powerful. I think you
should give it a glance in such a situation in the future.

http://www.password-changer.com/