XP Security Center not starting

[S Laha]

Hi,

I have XP Prof. SP2 installed.

When I go to control panel and then double-click on the Security Center,
nothing happens.

I have checked the Services, and the Security center service is running
(automatic).

Never faced something like this! Help please.

 

[PA Bear]

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for expert
analysis, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

 

[S Laha]

I have Norton Internet Security installed, so it is highly unlikely that it
has got any virus/malware!

Must be something else.

 

[Malke]

I have Norton Internet Security installed, so it is highly unlikely that it
has got any virus/malware!

Must be something else.

hahahahaha! While it certainly could be something else (and probably is,
read further), NIS is no guarantee that you don't have malware. However,
you've inadvertently given the answer to your question. When you
installed NIS, you were asked if you wanted to use the Norton Security
Console (or whatever they're calling it these days). You apparently said
"yes". This disables the Windows Security Center and uses the NIS one
instead.

Since the Windows Security Center, like the NIS one, is simply an
alerter and provides no protection of itself, it's fine for you to use
the NIS one instead. So you have a non-issue.


Malke

 

[PA Bear]

<ROFL> Now pull the other one!

 

[S Laha]

Not really that straightforward....

I do not have NIS installed on XP... I have that on Vista, which is
installed on C:\
On the D:\ I have XP, which is newly installed, and do not have any
antivirus installed. But the Security Center also does not work.

I was indicating that the malware should not be an issue as I have already
tested the PC for malwares from Vista, and the PC is fairly new.

Any more suggestions? Or maybe I will have to try to reinstall XP!

 

[Malke]

Not really that straightforward....

I do not have NIS installed on XP... I have that on Vista, which is
installed on C:\
On the D:\ I have XP, which is newly installed, and do not have any
antivirus installed. But the Security Center also does not work.

I was indicating that the malware should not be an issue as I have already
tested the PC for malwares from Vista, and the PC is fairly new.

Now how would anyone have known that from what you originally posted?
Here is what you wrote:

"I have XP Prof. SP2 installed.

"When I go to control panel and then double-click on the Security Center,
nothing happens.

"I have checked the Services, and the Security center service is running
(automatic)."

If this is a brand-new install and you really think it is malware-free
(which I don't think you've proved by scanning it with NIS from another
operating system but since I can't see your machine, perhaps you are
right), then I don't have enough information to troubleshoot it. What
else do you have installed on XP?


Malke

 

[S Laha]

Sorry, if I gave you half-information. Actually I never thought that it would
be worth telling.

Anyway, let me calrify the situation once again:

1. I have a dual boot laptop, Vista on C:\ and XP Prof SP2 on D:\
2. I have NIS 2007 on Vista, which reports everything is fine.
3. The laptop is one month old, and just started using it.
4. The XP installation is fresh, and do not have anything else installed on
it.
5. On boot, the Security center tray baloon reports that the system is not
secure, and asks to click the baloon to find out more. Clicking on it does
nothing.
6. When clicked on the Control Panel Security Center icon, absolutely
nothing happens. (other control panel icons work fine)
7. I have checked the services, and the Security Centre service is running
and set to automatic.
8. I login to XP as an admin user.

Hope this helps.

Thanks again for your time.

 

[Malke]

Sorry, if I gave you half-information. Actually I never thought that it would
be worth telling.

Anyway, let me calrify the situation once again:

1. I have a dual boot laptop, Vista on C:\ and XP Prof SP2 on D:\
2. I have NIS 2007 on Vista, which reports everything is fine.
3. The laptop is one month old, and just started using it.
4. The XP installation is fresh, and do not have anything else installed on
it.
5. On boot, the Security center tray baloon reports that the system is not
secure, and asks to click the baloon to find out more. Clicking on it does
nothing.
6. When clicked on the Control Panel Security Center icon, absolutely
nothing happens. (other control panel icons work fine)
7. I have checked the services, and the Security Centre service is running
and set to automatic.
8. I login to XP as an admin user.

1. Did you install XP using a third-party boot manager and hide the two
operating systems from each other? I'm guessing not but I'd like to be
sure. Having Vista and XP on the same computer without hiding them from
each other causes some funky behavior.

2. If you didn't do #1 above, I would. Otherwise try uninstalling NIS
from your Vista since it is garbage and it may be causing the problem on
XP. This would be unusual but since I can't see your machine, you might
as well try it. Recommended antivirus programs are NOD32, Kasperksy, and
Avast (free). The Windows Firewall is adequate for most people. BTW, you
absolutely need an antivirus on both operating systems.

3. If that doesn't help, then go through the virus/malware scanning
steps outlined at the link I already gave you (and repeat here for your
convenience). Go through the scanning from within XP, not from within Vista.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware


Malke