lsass.exe Causing Bootup Problems

[ColTom2]

Hi:
When trying to bootup it goes to WinXP screen and then blanks into the
Compaq
logo screen and then getting an error msg.: System Error---lsass.exe can't
be
found etc. Trying to boot into safe mode results in same error msg.

(Compaq Presario 2500 laptop, Windows XP Home Edition, SP2.)

Any recommendations on how to get a good bootup will greatly be
appreciated.

Thanks

 

[JK]

This could eventually become a real problem if it prevents you from logging
onto the system. I'm not sure how it works with Compaq laptops, but for a
generic machine a repair install is what I would do.

JK

 

[DJ Borell]

If lsass.exe is actually gone, then it's not going to eventually cause
problems...you've already got them.

As JK said, a repair install is probably going to have to be done at a
minimum, but I would personally disconnect the HD, hook it up to
another computer and run a full virus scan on it first. (Make sure the
scanner is completely up to date.) As long as you've got it hooked up
to a separate system, you may as well backup the files (if you've got
any).

If that doesn't help, a repair install is all you've got left.

BTW - without lsass.exe you *can't* logon.