Windows Defender causes PC to boot in safe mode

[Guest]

I have been using msconfig (System Configuration Utility) to disable services
to investigate a problem with a webcam I recently installed. I disabled all
services and a dialogue box appeared when I rebooted stating that an error
had occurred because a program had tried to stop Windows Defender from
running and the PC booted in safe mode.

I have assumed that it is Defender that has caused the PC to boot in safe
mode for security reasons.

From safe mode I cannot re-enable the services including Defender. I also
cannot remove Defender using the Add/Remove Programs utility because it does
not appear to work in safe mode. Therefore, I cannot stop the PC booting in
safe mode?

Is there any way that I can re-enable Defender or delete it from safe mode
and get out of this catch-22.

 

[Dave M]

Hello PJB;

Sorry to tell you, but Windows Defender works fine for me in Safe mode. If
it's WD forcing you into Safe mode, that would be a new behavior I think,
as I don't remember it ever having been reported here, however good an idea
that might be.

Have you run an Anti-Virus scan lately?

 

[Guest]

An AVG scan with latest updates revealed no virus.

The actual error message after booting (into safe mode) is 'Application
failed to initialize: 0x800106ba. A problem caused WD to stop. To start the
service, restart your computer or search Help & Support on how to start the
service manually'.

It seems a bit suspicious that this error message appeared at the same time
as the PC has started booting into safe mode only.

I have also tried starting WD manually by running the executable but the
response is that WD cannot be run from safe mode.

PJB

 

[Dave M]

PJB;
I'm a bit confused... didn't you report getting this error back on 4/18/06?
Was it ever resolved or has it just resurfaced again recently?

Unfortunately, if you scan these WD forums or google for the 0x800106ba
error there are many reports of it and many solutions that have been tried.
Some with reported success, so I don't know where to tell you to start
other than a search of the various newsgroups. Apparently there is no
single solution that works in all cases or on all Operating Systems.

If you suspect that spyware is forcing you into SAFE and keeping Defender
from starting, I'd suggest you install Ewido 4.0 for a 30 day trial which
should run in Safe mode with networking, and works well with WD in my
experience:
http://www.ewido.net/en/