Solved XP issue- MSE failing to start on PC boot

[Diosoth]

I think the FSS log is posted on the front page, unless you want it run again? Though I've made very few changes to that PC lately, just a couple game installs. I'll have to run it later tonight when I get a chance.

I'll go through those tips but I think some of them don't apply to XP. I get the feeling that MSE is just a bit buggy on XP SP3 since this particular issue seems rather common.

It could be that if not started every day, MSE gets confused? I don't have this issue on Windows 7 though. Could be internet issues as well, it might be trying the check before the PC has connected. Now this Dell seems to be "always on" even when the PC is off- my switch always has the green light for that port lit even when the PC is off. I don't really understand why that is.

Either way if I run manual definition install through Windows Update MSE goes green so I suspect it's an issue with definition update.

 

[Diosoth]

Looks about the same as the last FSS.

Funny, this problem doesn't seem consistent. Last time I used this PC was Saturday morning, and I just turned it on and MSE started fine with the green icon. I'm wondering if it's just the internet connection- MSE tries to check for updates, net's not up yet, it gets stuck, because when this does happen a manual update of the defs fixes it.

 

[VistaKing]

Nothing wrong with the services .

 

[Diosoth]

The BIOS is set to "fast boot" Windows. Could that be a potential cause? It seems whether MSE goes green or stays red is totally random- and I think its start is just delayed. The other day it stayed red, I ignored it and played a game for about a half hour. exited the game and MSE was green so it started up at some point.

I don't think the net connection is responsible- I've seen it go green before the PC has negotiated a network connection.

This isn't a huge problem I plan to lose sleep over since it seems there's no obvious cause.

 

[VistaKing]

Did you try reinstalling MSE ?

 

[Diosoth]

A couple of times. For whatever reason the service occasionally does not start right when the PC boots. I haven't made any changes to the PC since my last FSS scan which you said was clean. For whatever reason, on rare occasion the service start is delayed.

 

[VistaKing]

Is MSE checked inside startup tab inside msconfig ?

Type in msconfig inside the start menu . Press [ENTER]

 

[Diosoth]

Yes, it's checked.

 

[VistaKing]

What service ? Take a look inside the services

Hold down the rb: key and the R key you should get a Run window . Type in sevices.msc and press Enter .

 

[Diosoth]

msseces is checked under the startup menu

Microsoft Antimalware Service is set to automatic startup under services.

I just started the PC tonight, MSE stayed red. I ran FSS while it was red, went into Update and manually updated the definitions which made it go green, then ran FSS again. They look identical to me.

When I ran it the first time it just worked. Second time after MSE went green I got the usual popup box asking me if I wanted to run it.

 

[VistaKing]

The logs are the same . Just curious why we running Windows XP ? You could install XP in a virtual environment known as XP Mode which could be used in Professional and Ultimate versions of Win7

 

[Diosoth]

I run a separate PC for older gaming and to have a backup PC with online access if I need it. I could VM XP but that would still only leave me with one PC and I've had some issues with my W7 PC in the past that make it vital I have 2 computers with internet access.

At least one older game I want to play has severe issues with the graphics chip my W7 PC uses which I doubt a VM would get around.

 

[VistaKing]

XP will be not have any more updates after April 2014

 

[Diosoth]

I'm aware of that, but if 7 and on won't play some of my preferred games then I have to use XP for those games.

 

[VistaKing]

Try to do a clean uninstall of MSE

:ar: Microsoft Security Essentials Removal Tool Download

Restart the PC . Then reinstall .

 

[Diosoth]

I'll do that when I get some free time.

Come to think of it, these problems began when I ran the MSE client update through Windows Update back in July. The program worked fine until then when it failed to work after the update, so I uninstalled and installed the previous version fresh.

 

[fishcad]

I ran HitmanPro and rebooted. MSE now working. Ran a MSE scan yesterday and today HMP found almost 3,000 threats. I'm running the 30-day trial version but may pay the $25 to have a good second scanner. Tried HMP because of a 5-star editor rating and 4-star user rating on CNET.