Cryptographic service will not start - Error 2 cannot find file

[Alberto]

I have been trying to get Win XP security updates to install but they fail,
and I am directed to check Cryptographic Service. I cannot get the Service to
start, I get "Error 2: Cannot find the file specified". The Target path looks
like: C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs

Appreciate any help.

 

[John John (MVP)]

This might be helpful: http://www.updatexp.com/cryptographic-service.html

You may find other clues in the Event Log.

John

 

[Kelly]

In addition to JJ:

Go to Start/Run and type in CMD. At the command prompt, type the following
commands, pressing ENTER after each line:

net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 oldcatroot2
net start cryptsvc

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

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[Alberto]

Kelly,

Thanks for the response but I have tried this solution many times. I still
get "Could not start the Cryptographic Services service on the Local
Computer" and "Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified".

I have just gone through malware scanning and removal, Windows Defender,
Spybot, Trend Micro online, and Dial-a-fix to try to solve this. I can see
the file svchost.exe in the proper folder, but the icon is very generic. Is
it possible it is a fake or corrupted? Can I get a good copy of this file
somewhere?

 

[Alberto]

Thanks John John, but I went through as much of that as I could with no
success. "Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified" is not listed
anywhere. I can see the file in the system32 folder, although it has a
generic icon like it was lost at one time. Is it possible it could be fake or
corrupted?

 

[Kelly]

Most welcome. Quick question is the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service
running?

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Happy Birthday if today is your birthday!

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
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[Alberto]

Kelly,

At the time that this problem originated, I think it was running. I can't be
sure.
Now, almost all of the Services stopped yesterday as I was trying more
solutions. I did post that plea for help as well. I tried reversing what I
tried, but to no avail. Now I have no network, nothing.

Help!

 

[Alberto]

Case Closed! Major malware and virus infection. Will have to scrub the drive
and start from scratch. I only have a Restore CD from eMachines so I hope it
works. Thanks to all who tried to help.

Albert

 

[Kelly]

Ah, but that is too easy! )

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Happy Birthday if today is your birthday!

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm