Solved Windows Security Center service can't be started.

[Mike98321]

Hello,

This is my first post and, as you can see from the title, I'm getting the message that my Windows Security Center service can't be started. In addition, when browsing the web, I will sometimes click on a link and be sent to a page other than the one I clicked on.

I've read, here on this forum and on others, about this problem happening to others and I've tried some of the solutions that were successful for them, but I've had no success. I still have the little flag in the tool bar and the message.

I've had McAfee installed on this computer since the day I bought it, but I uninstalled it the other day thinking it might be affecting the anti-malware programs from working properly.

In addition to McAfee, the other programs I've tried using are Avast (also now uninstalled), ESET online scanner, CKScanner, SuperAntispyware, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, Hitman Pro and RKILL. While some of these programs did find a few bad files on my system, and subsequently eliminated them, the problem remains.

I am hoping that someone can help this 'dumb-old-boy' by walking me step-by-step through the process that will cure this problem once and for all.

My system is as follows:

Dell Studio XPS
Intel Core i7 920 @ 2.67 GHz
6.00 GB Ram
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit Operating System, SP1
(any other info needed?)

I realize that this computer is almost 4 years old and was obsolete the moment it left the factory, but it has worked fine for my purposes so far (well, until about 4 days ago! ) and I'd like to get it working properly again.

Any help will be appreciated!

Mike

 

[ignatzatsonic]

McAfee is the cause of a lot of problems and can be very difficult to get rid of. Some of it still may be on your PC.

Did you use MCPR.exe to uninstall it?

Here is some info on how to get MCPR and use it:

How to Remove McAfee Products | eHow.com

You can get MCPR.exe at the "resources" link on that page.

 

[Mike98321]

I had not run that program (didn't know about it!), but I have now.

Thank you,
Mike

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Microsoft Security Essentials and Avast are probably the 2 most commonly recommended anti-virus programs on this forum.

Both are free.

Generally, you want only ONE anti-virus program as they can conflict with each other.

Malwarebytes seems to not conflict and works in conjunction with others.

I'd first solve your issue about Windows Security Center.

 

[gregrocker]

Run a full Malwarebytes scan and another using Microsoft Security Essentials once you install it to replace Muckafee.

Run the SFC -SCANNOW Command to check the System file integrity.

If those fail to help then work through these other Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 leading up to a possible Repair Install or Clean Reinstall.

 

[Mike98321]

That's why I'm here.

 

[Mike98321]

Run a full Malwarebytes scan and another using Microsoft Security Essentials once you install it to replace Muckafee.

Run the SFC -SCANNOW Command to check the System file integrity.

If those fail to help then work through these other Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 leading up to a possible Repair Install or Clean Reinstall.

Will do.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Mike:

You might want to read this thread if you haven't seen it:

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-s...g-off-looks-like-bidvertiser.html#post2061237

 

[Mike98321]

Run a full Malwarebytes scan and another using Microsoft Security Essentials once you install it to replace Muckafee.

Run the SFC -SCANNOW Command to check the System file integrity.

If those fail to help then work through these other Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 leading up to a possible Repair Install or Clean Reinstall.

Malwarebytes finds nothing.
SFC - SCANNOW command finds nothing.

Microsoft Security Essentials... won't run. When I try to run it, it opens a window briefly which closes almost immediately, too quickly to really read anything it says (less than a second). I did manage to get a photo of the screen while the window was open:

I'll try again in Safe Mode and see if that works.

 

[Mike98321]

Mike:

You might want to read this thread if you haven't seen it:

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-s...g-off-looks-like-bidvertiser.html#post2061237

I'll take a look at that thread and see if any of the steps help me. Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

MSE should start after a few reboots. If not, blocking it is frequently caused by infection.

If not download, burn to CD using Windows Image Burner or ImgBurn, run full scan with Windows Defender Offline.

If that fails try another one of these FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List

 

[Mike98321]

OK, so...

I ran Microsoft Security Essentials in Safe Mode and it found about 10 bad things, which I deleted. Windows Security Center services still can't start.

Ran the OTL.exe as per the other thread, results attached.

 

[gregrocker]

Run Malwarebytes in Safe Mode now, followed by one of the bootable AV's I linked in my last post.

Then check the system files using SFC -SCANNOW Command.

See if the Service and it's dependencies will turn on and Automatically start with Windows now. Services - Start or Disable - Windows 7 Forums

 

[mrhiab]

start/run/services.msc and enable the service "Security Center" make sure its startup type is set to automatic.
My kid got a trojan on a rig today. Even shut off the firewall service.
Nasty little thing, I removed all the crap and restarted the services and it's fine now.

 

[Mike98321]

Run Malwarebytes in Safe Mode now, followed by one of the bootable AV's I linked in my last post.

I ran Windows Defender Offline from a USB flashdrive (nothing found). Rebooted to Safe Mode and ran Malwarebytes (no malicious files found). Rebooted and ran Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 from a USB flashdrive (RKILL.exe was listed as a trojan for whatever reason and quarantined).

Still get the flag and can't start WSC service.

start/run/services.msc and enable the service "Security Center" make sure its startup type is set to automatic.
My kid got a trojan on a rig today. Even shut off the firewall service.
Nasty little thing, I removed all the crap and restarted the services and it's fine now.

I've done this a number of times - zero effect.

 

[shawn77]

OTL shows the bad file

Copy and Paste the following code into the

textbox.

:OTL
:Files
C:\Windows\SysWow64\mtxexa.dll
ipconfig /flushdns /c
:Commands
[PURITY]
[emptyjava]
[EMPTYFLASH]

Then click the Run Fix button at the top.

• Click
  
  .
• OTL may ask to reboot the machine. Please do so if asked.
  On reboot,you should be able to start security center service

 

[Mike98321]

OTL shows the bad file

Copy and Paste the following code into the

textbox.

:OTL
:Files
C:\Windows\SysWow64\mtxexa.dll
ipconfig /flushdns /c
:Commands
[PURITY]
[emptyjava]
[EMPTYFLASH]

Then click the Run Fix button at the top.

• Click
  
  .
• OTL may ask to reboot the machine. Please do so if asked.
  On reboot,you should be able to start security center service

Copied, pasted, run, rebooted...


no joy.

Still can't run security service center!

 

[Mike98321]

OK, it appears to be working now.

Finding the offending file, above (thanks shawn77!!!), wasn't quite enough.

Apparently there was another step necessary, one that I hadn't seen mentioned before in any of the other threads on this topic.

I ran services.msc and set Security Center to Automatic, as before, but this time it actually stayed set, and I was able to open the Microsoft Security Essentials window and have it stay open! Progress!

I still got an error message, though.

It turns out that I needed to use services.msc to set Microsoft Antimalware Service to Automatic, also. This is the part I hadn't seen before. I read about it at Help and Support for Microsoft Security Essentials after clicking the Help button on the last error window that popped up.

That did the trick and everything is back up and running as it should be.

Thank you to all that helped me with this problem!

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks for reporting back. After disinfecting you needed both the Service and it's dependencies turned back on. Make sure they are set to Automatic: http://www.sevenforums.com/news/244353-metro-now-banned-word-microsoft-2.html#post2062569Services - Start or Disable - Windows 7 Forums

Let us know if problems persist as can happen with serious infection requiring a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If not you can mark this thread Solved at top.