[dga471]

Hi, my name is Daniel, and I'm having real serious problems with my new Vista laptop. One of the most significant problems I think roots from the fact that there is a problem with services.msc. This has affected some aspects of my computer such as my sound (audio service cannot run). The device manager also refuses to open, displaying the message "the service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or has no enabled devices associated with it." As this happens with other services (though before this I have never even understood what a "service" actually is), my computer is growing practically useless except to duly run applications.

Can anyone please help me? Thank you very much.

[MySeN]

this is a strange one, let me get this right...

Some of the services on your laptop are not starting up as expected. You are also unable to even get into services?

Did you buy your laptop with Vista already installed or have you upgraded it your self?

[dga471]

It was already installed, not upgraded.

After trying to google this problem on various tech discussion threads, I just think that services.msc might be the problem. Yes, I can't run device manager, and also cannot enable the windows audio service. I cannot run services.msc if I try to by typing it in the search box in the start bar an clicking on the shortcut that shows up. Also cannot run Windows restore, showing the same message "the service cannot be started..." (if I access the application directly from the Windows system32folder - I haven't tried using safe mode). But I'm not an advanced user, and I feel I have never (at least deliberately) tampered with any services so far.

[devil_himself]

Start > Run > cmd > Net Start

Do You Get a List of Running Servies

[dga471]

Yes, I do

[devil_himself]

Have you Recently Installed any New Software Or ..

[dga471]

Since it's a new computer, I've installed quite a lot of software, but most were freeware. This includes the antivirus (AVG Free), MS Office 07, and some freeware stuff like winamp, easy cleaner, etc.

[devil_himself]

Try Running "System Restore" From Command Line

Start > Run > cmd > C:\Windows\System32\rstrui.exe

[dga471]

It can't. "the service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or has no enabled devices associated with it." shows up when I do this

[devil_himself]

Right Click "My Computer" > Properties > On the Left "Advanced System Settings" > If asked to permit the action, click on Allow > "System Protection" tab > Is There any Box Checked For your Hard Drive

[Rich-M]

If you have run any reg cleaners or even easy Clean, I would bet the system is hosed. You need to boot as if to safe mode (tapping F8 on many pc's after pushing power button) only choose "last known configuration" or use a restore partition to go back to the way you started.
Easy Clean is a really bad program to be using. Tapping F11 on may systems will get you there to restore...or booting to Vista cd and trying "Repair".
I think with Toshiba you hold down "0" while booting up to get to recovery partition.

[dga471]

I can't open advanced system settings. It shows the same message "the service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or has no enabled devices associated with it." I tried system restore through safe mode to two days. Now the audio service is back to normal, but it seems that the problem has been there since long before. I still cannot install any program, open device manager/advanced system settings/mainly the stuff that requires administrator access, nor even system restore.


Yes I've installed easy clean, but i've never used it. Even if I try to, it can detect registry "errors" but strangely does nothing if I click to delete them

[Rich-M]

If repair suggested in #11 does not work, you have no choice but to use restore partition if you have one or simply reformat I'm afraid.