Error 0xc0000008 SecActMgrInitialization failed on wife's HP; won't turn on

[DennisT]

Wife has HP ze4540 laptop.  WinXP.  All updates until about 4 months ago when she last turned it on.  I dug it out today to do updates.  Fire it up, it goes past HP logo, then displays, "Security Accounts Manager Initialization Failed, 'The handle is invalid.'"  Error:  Oxc0000008.  It instructs us to click on OK so it can restart in safe mode.  Clicking on OK merely restarts the same brief wake up as before, with the same error message.  No safe mode at all.

She does very little with this laptop, so it has rarely had much, if any, extra software downloaded.  Runs AVG antivirus.  Uses wireless card.  Ran fine last time.

Any tips as what to do?

Thanks,
Dennis --- wife pacing floor....

[Broni]

Maybe here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316751

[DennisT]

Thanks, Broni.  That seems to be closely related, but I still can't connect on this.  So far I'm more confused than before.  I think I need more input to get a direction on this. 

Maybe we're gaining.........

Dennis

[Broni]

Did you try any steps listed in my link?

[DennisT]

Thanks Broni.  I am uncertain how to proceed with your link.  It seems to specifically deal with error, "0xc0000001," not the 0xc0000008 that we are facing.  The error window that comes up for us also says to click on OK and it will reboot into safe mode.  Of course that does not happen at all.  Clicking on OK seems to run the machine through a quick shut-down/restart, but right back to the same error message.  An endless circle.  And to shut the laptop off I have to do a hard shut down by holding the power key on for a few seconds. 

It does not seem to want to go into safe mode at all.

Dennis

[Broni]

Does this laptop has any backup?

[DennisT]

Backup:  quick answer, No.  Wife got it 2 or 3 years ago and has used it very little.  She figured she needed it for work and it turned out she didn't.  Her investment I guess.  I get it out once in a while recharge everything, update virus protection and MS updates, etc.  I clean up anything she doesn't need.   There was never any disk burned for any backup.  She also does not have anything much on it that needs to be saved.  I have my own laptop which is all I need.  Now she thinks she better have it available again. 

If this thing was taken down to ground zero, then put back together, she'd hardly know the difference.  It would be nice to load it without all the MS, HP and, "try me free," software teasers that commercial units come with too.

I've never reloaded Windows into anything before. 

Dennis

[Broni]

Sounds good.
Do you have Windows XP CD, or Recovery CD for that laptop?

[DennisT]

Sorry to be slow.  Wife just found the, "stuff," that goes with her laptop.  In these things she gave me:

A plastic bag with a folder in it that, through the unopened bag, reads:  "system recovery."  Looks like 3 disks.

Operating system CD, blue HP-blue labled copy of XP home SP1

Looks like 3 disks marked, "hp quickrestore, system recovery CD."

I take it this is a good beginning. 

I've never loaded, or re-loaded an operating system into any computer. 

If one re-loades an operating system, does any misc. info, (i.e. emails, Word docs, etc.),  remain alive on the hard drive?

Dennis

[Broni]

If one re-loades an operating system, does any misc. info, (i.e. emails, Word docs, etc.),  remain alive on the hard drive?

It depends on method used, but you said:

She also does not have anything much on it that needs to be saved

If we can wipe it clean, that's the better way to go.

[DennisT]

Thanks.

I just asked.  She said there is nothing on her laptop she needs to retain.

So it's a free run to start over fresh.  And it would be a new experience for me to try that. 

Dennis

[Broni]

The best way will be to use HP System Recovery disks. It'll return your laptop to the original state, like it came straight from the store.
Pop in 1st CD, restart computer.
Watch the screen. At some point, it'll say "Press any key to boot from CD".
Press any key, and restoration process should begin.
Just follow on-screen instruction.
It's that simple.
Feel free to ask any question, if any problem arises.

[patio]

MAKE SURE the Wife understands everything will be gone...
Most common screams after this is done are "What did you do ? ? "
Where are all my e-mails ? ?
My address book is gone ! !
I can't logon to gmail i don't have my password ! !

Etc. etc. etc.

Just be sure before you proceed...

[Broni]

Yeah, patio knows. His wife almost divorced him, after he did it to her computer....LOL

[DennisT]

Back again.  Thank you;   the 4 HP recovery disks worked perfectly.  Her laptop is alive once again, and I'm back to the beginning.  Now to load MS SP2, etc., etc.  But first, I have to remember how to configure the laptop to recognize my D-Link 524 router so I can go on line and download.  Router is running 2 other computers in the house, wireless.  I need to see if I had to use a D-Link disk software originally or not.  Once I remember where to plug in the info, I can compare to this working desktop for addresses, etc.

Tomorrow's another day.

Dennis