isass.exe error on bootup in XP home...HELP!

[Tim Hancock]

About two weeks ago, I got high speed internet at home finally. Since I had it, I was finally able to download tons of Microsoft updates on my 5 or so yr old Compaq laptop (it now has service pk 2).

Today I turned it on when I got home and it stops booting part way thru and displays the message: isaas.exe-system error Object name not found

Whether I click OK or whether I close it, the computer reboots and repeats to the error message. I am not too computer savvy, but I tried rebooting in safe mode & last known good...... still gets the error.

I searched a bit on-line here on my old house PC and it sounds as it maybe some kind of virus. I have updated Spybot, Ad-aware and AVG installed, but it obviously missed it. My computer came loaded with the XP home and did not come with an XP disk, so I can't re-load/re boot it (or whatever you call it). I have a CD drive but no floppy (I found downloads to specifically create a 6 disk floppy XP "start up" set at Microsoft, but nothing to create a CD).

Can anyone here give me some advice on what to try next? Most of my important "files" are backed up[ on CD, but reloading all my software will be miserable, but if I can't even get windows to boot and don't have a XP CD, I don't know how to procede.

[Scott R]

It's actually "lsass.exe" have seen this error before, here is oyur fix:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883268/en-us

[slodave]

lsass.exe is a required system file. It should be in C:\windows\system32. Can you put the hard drive on another computer and see if the file exists?

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by slodave

lsass.exe is a required system file. It should be in C:\windows\system32. Can you put the hard drive on another computer and see if the file exists?

Files there, the com object is gone.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Scott R

It's actually "lsass.exe" have seen this error before, here is oyur fix:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883268/en-us

Scott, I read thru that and my computer does will not boot in safe mode with command prompt as that fix says it should. Instead, the same error pops up.

I read in a forum that windows indeed has something called "L"sass.exe, but that the virus version is "I"sass.exe which is made to appear like lower case "L" sass. Most of my hour long search for this involved looking at many threads from several years ago and many of the fixes involved new hardrives or new OS system installs. I am hoping someone can find a fix that I can download to a CD on this computer then boot from it on my laptop to fix or diagnose the problem.

[slodave]

Scott, I gave a quick answer, without researching first.

You can get to a command prompt, using a WinXP CD. Start the setup, Choose "R" to repair. You may be able to then follow the steps from Microsoft.

Dave

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by slodave

Scott, I gave a quick answer, without researching first.

You can get to a command prompt, using a WinXP CD. Start the setup, Choose "R" to repair. You may be able to then follow the steps from Microsoft.

Dave

Yea, do what dave suggests, that will work.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by slodave

Can you put the hard drive on another computer and see if the file exists?

Can I simply tear the Laptop apart and remove the harddrive just like one can do with a tower PC? I doubt I know enough to do this when it comes to hooking it up to this computer, but if it simply a matter plugging it into a multipin connector, maybe I could do this. (like I said I am not too well versed in messing with computers)

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by slodave

Scott, I gave a quick answer, without researching first.

You can get to a command prompt, using a WinXP CD. Start the setup, Choose "R" to repair. You may be able to then follow the steps from Microsoft.

Dave

I do not have a WinXP CD as niether my HP I am typing on now nor my affected Compaq laptop came with WinXP CD's however the HP came with a 6 CD set of "hp pavilion home pc system recovery WinXP Home Edition" disks, but it says it is a back-up of ALL software that came on the computer and says it is only for use with an "HP Pavilion home PC".

[slodave]

The HP disks won't work. You can take the laptop HDD out and connect it to your PC, but you need an adapter. They can be found at the local computer mega store. They usually allow you to connect IDE, SATA and laptop drives and have a USB plug at the other end. You could then copy your data off the laptop HDD. Looks like you need to reinstall from scratch. I've been reading and there doesn't seem to be a way around your issue.

Dave

[Sapporo Guy]

You gonna wipe the drive clean, right?

If so, this trick might help.

I installed a mac formatted harddrive into a XP machine a while back. Of course, XP was complaining about the HD so I just went to the net and downloaded a Linux install (I used mandrake at the time because I wanted to check it out) but I'm sure you could just get a cheap magazine with Linux install CD in it.

Use the installer CD to reformat the drive to FAT.

I think that you might be able to abort the install at this time. I went the full install route just for kicks.

Then get your XP disc again. And go take a bath, wash your car and what not while waiting for SP to install.

Opening your notebook will probably take longer ...

no install cd ...
possible way might be a bit copy transfer from your desktop (how-to ???) not sure
... you did own a M$ system ... so .... errr ... hehe ... find one somewhere

[Tim Hancock]

Sorry for what must seem like stupid questions for you guys who know your around computers, but how much does a new copy of XP cost? If I can do a "repair" rather than reloading from scratch, it sounds like I would not lose all my software on the laptop?

Luckily I backed up all my important documents a couple weeks ago but I have alot of diagnostic software and some aviation programs installed that will be a real bear to get loaded and setup properly again. I wonder if places like the "geek squad" at BestBuy would be worth taking it to to see if they can fix it?

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Sapporo Guy

You gonna wipe the drive clean, right?

If so, this trick might help.

I installed a mac formatted harddrive into a XP machine a while back. Of course, XP was complaining about the HD so I just went to the net and downloaded a Linux install (I used mandrake at the time because I wanted to check it out) but I'm sure you could just get a cheap magazine with Linux install CD in it.

Use the installer CD to reformat the drive to FAT.

I think that you might be able to abort the install at this time. I went the full install route just for kicks.

Then get your XP disc again. And go take a bath, wash your car and what not while waiting for SP to install.

Opening your notebook will probably take longer ...

no install cd ...
possible way might be a bit copy transfer from your desktop (how-to ???) not sure
... you did own a M$ system ... so .... errr ... hehe ... find one somewhere

Sapporo Guy, I don't really know what Linux is and I probably don't want to know The bit copy transfer thing-a-ma-jig sounds interesting however.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Sapporo Guy, I don't really know what Linux is and I probably don't want to know The bit copy transfer thing-a-ma-jig sounds interesting however.

Tim is it XP pro or home? I might be able to help you get the source as long as your key is valid.

[Sapporo Guy]

Ahhh,

I know. buy your neighbor who is computer hack some beer They normally go for that kind of bartering

byte copying is just copying all those 010101s directly. I'm not sure but it should be a DOS command.

If you wipe the HD clean you won't need a new HD unless you want the bigger space. Repair shops will cost $ though.

I do wish you luck!!!

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Scott R

Tim is it XP pro or home? I might be able to help you get the source as long as your key is valid.

XP home on both computers.

I found where someone else used ubcd4win.com to create a boot/diagnostic/tool disk to fix this problem,

From another web site:
I had this problem and managed to fix it without a reinstall.
Create the disc at www.ubcd4win.com on a good pc and boot off of it on the bad one. Once in go to Start, Programs, Registry Tools, Registry Restore Wizard. Tell it where Windows is installed (C:\Windows usually). Then pick the date that you want to roll back to. I chose the one closest to todays date and it recovered it fine. Reboot and bingo! It's back. (Well it was for me...!)
Hope this helps someone!
Posted by: xxxxxxxxxx at March 28, 2007 9:05 AM

but checking the site out, it looks like I need to still have an XP disk to create the boot/diagnostic disk these guys offer.

[Tim Hancock]

bump for the weekend crowd....still no joy!

[imcarthur]

Some of us feel your pain, Tim.

My O/S (Win2000) dumped New Years Day. Different problem, but same result. I was fortunate because it was a destktop. I bought a new hard drive & installed XP Pro on it. Then I just copied the important files to the new drive (and an external backup). I realise that a laptop doesn't give you this option.

Can someone local create a boot disc for you?

Ian

[Neilk]

Go to Ubuntu.com and download and burn one of their discs. Start the PC with the Ubuntu disc... don't install it but run the live Ubuntu so it boots and runs off the cd. You might then be able to replace the file in question. Even better is the fact that you can get on the internet while in Ubuntu.

[imcarthur]

If/when you do get in, the mail file is:

Documents and Settings>Administrator>Local Settings>Application Data>Microsoft>Outlook>Outlook.pst

Mine was 1.89 GB. It has all mail & contacts etc in one huge bundle.

Ian