Vista Security Center

Vista Security Center will not open, no matter what I try. Would anyone have a fix? Tried Google, no help.
Thanks.

Try Start>Run>wscui.cpl and see if that opens it. If it doesn't check that you have the applet called "wscui.cpl" in Windows>System32 (and also in Windows>SysWOW64 if you are running 64-bit Vista).

SuperSparks,

Thanks for the suggestions, but wscui.cpl doesn't open it and I do have the wscui.cpl applet in the control panel, which also useless. I even tried to restore the PC to about a week ago date, no change. The file wscui.cpl is in the system32 directory.

Download HijackThis:
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en...kthis/download
by clicking on Download HijackThis Installer
Install, and run it.
Post HijackTHis log.

Hello Broni,
Hope you'll see something that might help!


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:17:04 PM, on 2/3/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6001.18000)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FirewallGUI.exe
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Windows\System32\CTXFIHLP.EXE
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
C:\Windows\System32\CTXFISPI.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\KHAL2\KHALMNPR.EXE
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://cnn.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F3 - REG:win.ini: load=
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: (no name) - AutorunsDisabled - (no file)
O2 - BHO: WOT Helper - {C920E44A-7F78-4E64-BDD7-A57026E7FEB7} - C:\Program Files\WOT\WOT.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Cooliris Plug-In for Internet Explorer - {EAEE5C74-6D0D-4aca-9232-0DA4A7B866BA} - C:\Program Files\PicLensIE\cooliris.dll
O3 - Toolbar: WOT - {71576546-354D-41c9-AAE8-31F2EC22BF0D} - C:\Program Files\WOT\WOT.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Kernel and Hardware Abstraction Layer] KHALMNPR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [00PCTFW] "C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FirewallGUI.exe" -s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTxfiHlp] CTXFIHLP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTXFIREG] CTxfiReg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TClockEx] C:\Tclock\TCLOCKEX.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [SetDefaultMIDI] MIDIDEF.EXE /s:'Creative SoundFont Synthesizer' /w:'SB Audigy' (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [SetDefaultMIDI] MIDIDEF.EXE /s:'Creative SoundFont Synthesizer' /w:'SB Audigy' (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: AutorunsDisabled
O4 - Global Startup: AutorunsDisabled
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &ieSpell Options - res://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll/SPELLOPTION.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Check &Spelling - res://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll/SPELLCHECK.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Lookup on Merriam Webster - file://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\Merriam Webster.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Lookup on Wikipedia - file://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\wikipedia.HTM
O9 - Extra button: ieSpell - {0E17D5B7-9F5D-4fee-9DF6-CA6EE38B68A8} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ieSpell - {0E17D5B7-9F5D-4fee-9DF6-CA6EE38B68A8} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {1606D6F9-9D3B-4aea-A025-ED5B2FD488E7} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ieSpell Options - {1606D6F9-9D3B-4aea-A025-ED5B2FD488E7} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra button: The Weather Channel - {2E5E800E-6AC0-411E-940A-369530A35E43} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: The Weather Channel - {2E5E800E-6AC0-411E-940A-369530A35E43} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Launch Cooliris - {3437D640-C91A-458f-89F5-B9095EA4C28B} - C:\Program Files\PicLensIE\cooliris.dll
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
O18 - Protocol: AutorunsDisabled - (no CLSID) - (no file)
O18 - Protocol: wot - {C2A44D6B-CB9F-4663-88A6-DF2F26E4D952} - C:\Program Files\WOT\WOT.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs:
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Windows\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1c985a6d5eefead) (gupdate1c985a6d5eefead) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Roxio MyDVD DE\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Logitech Bluetooth Service (LBTServ) - Logitech, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\Bluetooth\LBTServ.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Firewall Plus (PCToolsFirewallPlus) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FWService.exe

--
End of file - 6418 bytes

I don't know, if this is gonna help any, but let's remove some unnecessary entries.
Open HJT, and checkmark:
- F3 - REG:win.ini: load=
- O2 - BHO: (no name) - AutorunsDisabled - (no file)
- O9 - Extra button: The Weather Channel - {2E5E800E-6AC0-411E-940A-369530A35E43} - (no file)
- O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: The Weather Channel - {2E5E800E-6AC0-411E-940A-369530A35E43} - (no file)
- O18 - Protocol: AutorunsDisabled - (no CLSID) - (no file)
- O20 - AppInit_DLLs:
Click "Fix checked" button.

Restart computer.

Broni, sorry, it didn't help.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:42:50 PM, on 2/3/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6001.18000)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FirewallGUI.exe
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Windows\System32\CTXFIHLP.EXE
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
C:\Windows\System32\CTXFISPI.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\KHAL2\KHALMNPR.EXE
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe
C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://cnn.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: WOT Helper - {C920E44A-7F78-4E64-BDD7-A57026E7FEB7} - C:\Program Files\WOT\WOT.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Cooliris Plug-In for Internet Explorer - {EAEE5C74-6D0D-4aca-9232-0DA4A7B866BA} - C:\Program Files\PicLensIE\cooliris.dll
O3 - Toolbar: WOT - {71576546-354D-41c9-AAE8-31F2EC22BF0D} - C:\Program Files\WOT\WOT.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Kernel and Hardware Abstraction Layer] KHALMNPR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [00PCTFW] "C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FirewallGUI.exe" -s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTxfiHlp] CTXFIHLP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTXFIREG] CTxfiReg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TClockEx] C:\Tclock\TCLOCKEX.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [SetDefaultMIDI] MIDIDEF.EXE /s:'Creative SoundFont Synthesizer' /w:'SB Audigy' (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [SetDefaultMIDI] MIDIDEF.EXE /s:'Creative SoundFont Synthesizer' /w:'SB Audigy' (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: AutorunsDisabled
O4 - Global Startup: AutorunsDisabled
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &ieSpell Options - res://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll/SPELLOPTION.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Check &Spelling - res://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll/SPELLCHECK.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Lookup on Merriam Webster - file://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\Merriam Webster.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Lookup on Wikipedia - file://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\wikipedia.HTM
O9 - Extra button: ieSpell - {0E17D5B7-9F5D-4fee-9DF6-CA6EE38B68A8} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ieSpell - {0E17D5B7-9F5D-4fee-9DF6-CA6EE38B68A8} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {1606D6F9-9D3B-4aea-A025-ED5B2FD488E7} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ieSpell Options - {1606D6F9-9D3B-4aea-A025-ED5B2FD488E7} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra button: Launch Cooliris - {3437D640-C91A-458f-89F5-B9095EA4C28B} - C:\Program Files\PicLensIE\cooliris.dll
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
O18 - Protocol: AutorunsDisabled - (no CLSID) - (no file)
O18 - Protocol: wot - {C2A44D6B-CB9F-4663-88A6-DF2F26E4D952} - C:\Program Files\WOT\WOT.dll
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Windows\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1c985a6d5eefead) (gupdate1c985a6d5eefead) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Roxio MyDVD DE\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Logitech Bluetooth Service (LBTServ) - Logitech, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\Bluetooth\LBTServ.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Firewall Plus (PCToolsFirewallPlus) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FWService.exe

--
End of file - 6140 bytes

See, if you can open it in Safe Mode.
There were some issues with PC Tools firewall, lately, but I don't remember, if it was regarding Security Center.

Also try,

Click Start, click Run, type Services.msc, and then click OK.
In the right pane, double-click Security Center.
In the Startup type list, click Automatic, click Apply, click Start, and then click OK.
Restart the computer.

Adding to Rodney's reply, make sure following services are running too:

http://209.85.48.8/228/109/upload/p4301753.gif

Broni, they are all set to "Automatic", Rodney M, I have tried what you are suggesting, no change, Security Center will not open. No change in Safe Mode either. It is not PC Tools, I tried it after shutting it down.
Thanks for all your suggestions, maybe it is another Vista bug!

Click Start, click Run, type Services.msc, and then click OK.


How about "Software Licensing"

Is it running?

Software Licensing is running.

Try running the System File Checker. Go to Start and type "cmd" without the quotes, then right-click cmd.exe and choose "Run as Administrator". Once at the Command Prompt, type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes. You may need your Vista disc, though most of the time you don't.

SFC did not indicate any problems. Thanks for your suggestions.

OK, then the next thing that I would try is System Restore to roll back to a point before the problem started.

Please read my second post, I rolled the system back to about one week, I am not sure when the problem started.
I think that I will just ignore the problem, MS help is $90.00. Noway!

Thanks for everyones help!

Broni,
You can never open Security Center in safe mode.

Have you tried a Repair of wondows using a windows cd/dvd?

Rodney M,

You mean reinstall? I don't believe that Vista has a repair function, without loosing all your installed programs. Please let me know if I'm wrong.
Thanks.

You can use the Vista DVD to "upgrade" Vista over itself, which does much the same thing as the repair install did in 2K/XP. You still get to keep your apps and settings in the same way.

Here is how you do it.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial148.html

Train,

I don't quite understand, will these methods reload the operating system (Vista Home Premium) over the old system and all my installed programs will be saved and be fully usable?
I thought that only 2000 and XP had this option.

Rodney M,
I Googled your suggestion and it is possible, the only problem is Service Pack 1 must be uninstalled and I can not do that. I had a run around with a MS technician about this, even they could not figure out why. Seems like the only option I have is to reinstall Vista or ignore the problem.
Thanks for your help.

If you read closely at the bottom left.

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/


Then at the top left click the printer tutorial link and print it out so you can follow it step by step.

Slipstream your Vista and SP1. Then use it. Be best if you did.

Thanks Train, I will try the slipstream method, hopefully it will work.

Train,

I created an .ISO file, which includes the OPS and service pack 1. Copied the ISO file to a DVD, but the PC will not boot from it. It tries, but the DVD is not bootable.
What am I doing wrong?

Train,
I've got the ISO burned, the PC boots from it, but no option for upgrade, it asks me to upgrade from Windows. I do have Vista and Service Pack 1 on the ISO DVD.
Any thoughts?

Read this manual: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88...all-vista.html
You just have to click on Install button.

Thanks Broni, but the slipstream DVD was created from a Dell system DVD and I guess with that you can not do a repair/upgrade. Repair alone works, but that is not what I need.
The instructions are great, I will save it.
Thanks for your help.

What happens when you try and do an upgrade?

You have to click on "Install now", as Broni said, and then follow the wizard's instructions.

Windows message is: You must upgrade from within Windows.

OK, it is asking you to log into Vista and run Setup from there.

SuperSparks,

Tried it, no upgrade option available, only destructive repair.

There is something wrong here.
Are you sure, the Vista CD, you have is a full version, not an upgrade?
You must perform an upgrade from within Windows message wouldn't appear with full version.

Broni,

The Vista CD is the one that came with the Dell PC, called the Operating System, already installed.

It's hard to believe, Dell provided you with full version Vista DVD. Most likely, it's recovery DVD.
If it's full version, it should look like this:

http://www.dvdcoversfuzion.com/galle...stom_thumb.jpg

I created a slipstream DVD with the Dell CD and added service pack 1. That is all I have, if the Dell CD is not full Vista, than I guess I have to just give up on solving my initial problem, opening the Security Center, no big deal!
Thanks again for trying to help!

Can you post, what is EXACTLY written on that Dell DVD?

Reinstallation DVD, Windows Vista Home Premium 32BIT.