Beginning a few days ago, when I start (or restart) the computer, a box pops up with the following message:

Application failed to initialize; 0x800106ba. A problem caused Windows Defender Service to stop. To start the service, restart your computer or search Help and Support on how to start a service manually.

Restarting results in the same message, and I couldn't find anything in Help and Support. If I click the OK button (in the box), the message goes away and everything seems to work fine. Dunno what to do... Shifty, anyone, help?

Please keep it as simple as possible because my understanding of computers is, well, incredibly limited to say the least. :crazy: Thanks!

Uninstall and reinstall. :)

Meanwhile, I would scan at http://housecall.trendmicro.com to make sure you don't have a rootkit or spyware on the system.

I had the same thing happen a few days ago on the computer upstairs. Uninstalled/Reinstalled, problem solved.

Please keep it as simple as possible because my understanding of computers is, well, incredibly limited to say the least. Thanks!

Uninstall and reinstall. :)

Ummm... I assume I am to uninstall & reinstall Windows Defender -- but, referring to my above quote... how do I do that? :o

Edit: trying Housecall right now...

If you're running Windows XP, you should be able to go into My Computer and from that screen, you should see near the top left side "Add or Remove Programs". Once you click that, it will populate a list of your programs. Windows Defender should be in that list. Click on it, and you'll see an uninstall button to the right. You should be able to click that and remove it.

Clear as mud, huh?

Here's the link to re-download it:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

I think when TJ says go into "My Computer" he might mean go into the Start Menu and go into the "Control Panel". You can also get to the Control Panel through My Computer icon, but ... it's usually right there in the start menu.

TJ, shifty, I appreciate your help. It took 2 1/2 hours to run Housecall on dialup; it found a few bugs and I'm now clean. I successfully uninstalled Windows Defender, then went to the link supplied by TJ to reinstall. Sadly, it went downhill from there.

Supposed to run a Validation tool, which gives me a code to allow me to continue. This step fails repeatedly, saying the code is not available due to "technical difficulties or you may be running an unsupported O.S." [error code 0x80070002]

We have a Dell which we bought (new, from Dell) a few years ago, running XP.

Sorry to say I am stuck again. Any ideas at this point?

I have the same problem. I'll wait to see how it comes out for you. I didn't install Windows Defender so maybe I should just uninstall it and quit.

My suggestion to both of you:

Stocker: Read this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310794/en-us Then read this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910336/en-us

N2: Please give the 0x******** error message like Stocker did and I'll help. That error message is crucial. Also, are you using a Dell PC?

PS - both of you go here and tell me what happens when you start the check: http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/

My suggestion to both of you:
N2: Please give the 0x******** error message like Stocker did and I'll help. That error message is crucial. Also, are you using a Dell PC? Yes it's a Dell PC. I will have to document the error code next time I boot up.

Ok - meanwhile, check out both of the links I just posted. The first pertains to Dell computers, I believe. This is apparently a known problem with OEM systems (HP, Dell, Gateway, etc.). Probably something to do with the OEM license of XP in particular. If it's a bug on Microsoft's side, they'll never admit it, but will tell you how to work around it.

PS - both of you go here and tell me what happens when you start the check: http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/
This is the first thing I am trying, before reading the other two links you posted above. First page I see has this:

You are not running Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox or Netscape Browser

These diagnostic pages are only for Internet Explorer (version 5.01 and above), Mozilla Firefox (version 1.0.5 and above), and Netscape browser (version 8.0 and above). Please use one of these web browsers if you would like to use these pages.

I am on Firefox, but I don't know what version. I don't see anything to start the check, unless it's the box that says "3 ways to help protect your computer". I clicked that, and the next page had links to download things including Windows Defender, which I clicked and got (among other things) this:

Webcast: Introduction to Windows Defender Windows Defender (Beta 2) expired December 31
Don’t go a moment unprotected: Upgrade now to the final release of Windows Defender.

Hmmm... my problems may have started with the New Year! Anyway, when I try to continue with the download, I end up right back where I was... no validation code.

I'll now go read those other two links you provided.

My suggestion to both of you:

Stocker: Read this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310794/en-us
I'm taking things one at a time to minimize confusion. shifty, you might not confused, but I sure as heck do... ;)

I just read this page, and found this:

SYMPTOMS
When you start Microsoft Windows XP, you may receive the following error message:
A problem is preventing Windows from accurately checking the license for this computer. Error code: 0x80070002.

I do not get the error message when starting the computer; only when trying to run the Validation tool from TJ's link.

Stocker: Then read this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910336/en-us
This page says you receive the error code after downloading an update, which is not exactly my situation; should I follow the steps (Resolution) on the page anyway? I am trying to download Windows Defender and get the error during the validation, before downloading anything.

Sorry to be such a PITA! :)

These diagnostic pages are only for Mozilla Firefox (version 1.0.5 and above)
Somewhere in my searching, I believe I saw that I have version 1.0.1 (or something like that). I am currently downloading an upgrade to 2.0.0.1. This will take the rest of the evening on dialup. I'll see if it changes anything tomorrow.

Open this link in Internet Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/

Go through the process.

This is just one of many reasons I really despise Firefox :)

Well, I have been at this all evening. I now have a newer version of Firefox. And after following seemingly countless links, waiting forever for slow downloads, clicking on buttons I know nothing about and ignoring numerous security warnings... I seem to have successfully downloaded Windows Defender! :) And it is cheerfully chugging away, gobbling up nearly all of my data transfer capacity, so this page loaded very slowly -- ah, wait, it just finished!

Whew! I am bloody exhausted and ready for bed. I have long maintained that computers need to be made simpler and intuitive -- and I still feel that way.

shifty, TJ -- Thank you both again, I could never have gotten through this without your help. shifty, especially, you went above & beyond. Wish I could buy ya both a frosty :barn:


edit: shifty, your comment (above) about Firefox reflect my feelings about computers in general, every time something goes bad or needs attention... :crazy: :lol: