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The specified service does not exist as an installed service

Anonymous
2010-02-27T17:46:05+00:00

Recently I seem to have problem with every thing in my laptop running windows vistas. When I try to open any program such as 1) Device manager 2) Install/uninstall any program 3) Manage Computer 4) delete a printer etc., It only gives error " The specified service does not exist as an installed service ". I am unable to set anything right with my computer. the system tray has "The Audio Service is not running" error. The windows update is on and its updated till current dated. I cannot even install the "Active X" in IE8.

Even when I open MS office program like word or execl it opens a file but it takes 5minutes to get active mean as it opens it gets busy. We can open other programs but not ms office program.

Kindly advice to set this right. Thanks and best regards.

Windows for home | Other | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-03-02T18:26:47+00:00

    Hi Dilippatel,

    Am sorry the previous steps did not resolve the issue. Let us try other steps.

    Step 1: System file checker (sfc scan)

    Use the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) to determine which file is causing the issue, and then replace the file. To do this, follow these steps:

    Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.

    Type the following command, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannow

    The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

    Step2:  Check services

    Check if any service is stopped or disabled. You will have to check each service one by one. If you find any service stopped or disabled you have to start or enable and check if the issue persists.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Manage-services-in-Windows-Vista-from-Windows-Vista-Inside-Out

    Post back the result.

    Bindu S -- Microsoft Support

    [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

    60+ people found this answer helpful.
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Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2010-02-28T16:41:33+00:00

    Hi Dilippatel,

    A.      When did it last work fine?

    B.      Any recent changes made on your computer?

    C.      Who is your computer manufacturer?

    You may try the following steps.

    Step 1 : Clean boot

    A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.  Let us check if any software is causing the issue by following the clean boot procedure.  Follow the instructions in the link below to perform clean boot procedure.

    1: Perform a clean boot

    2: Enable half of the services

    3: Determine whether the problem returns

    4: Enable half of the Startup items

    5: Determine whether the problem returns

    6: Resolve the problem 

    7: Reset the computer to start as usual

    How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    After checking the issue, put the computer back to the Normal mode. Uninstall or update the program which is causing the issue.

    Step 2:

    1.       Click Start.

    2.       Type regedit in the start search box and press enter.

    3.        Go to the location:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BBBFC1-08002BE10318}

    4.       Delete the LowerFilters value in the right panel. (NOTE: Under the key, there

    are also some sub keys such as 0000, 0001. Please double click them and delete the

    LowerFilters value.)

    5.       Restart the computer and check if the issue persists.

    Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure that you back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    322756  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

    Try these steps and let us know the result.

    Please post you rquestion in the office discussion group for issues regarding Microsoft Office.

    http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/FlyoutOverview.mspx

    Bindu S -- Microsoft Support

    [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2012-07-28T19:27:25+00:00

    I had the same exact problems but fixed it.  My solution was to boot with my windows vista cd.  It will give you a choice of installation or fixing current installation.  I chose to fix and did a recovery.  I chose a recovery point that was a month ago and before the last windows updates.  Both Internet, sounds and services were back.  I also changed my security options so that windows will not update automatically.  Hope this helps

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2012-07-26T07:45:56+00:00

    Hi FrancesMcCollum,

    Follow the suggestions listed below for a possible fix:

    Method 1: I would suggest you to scan your computer with Microsoft Safety Scanner, which would help us to get rid of viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

    The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

    **http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx**


    Note: The Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after being downloaded. To rerun a scan with the latest anti-malware definitions, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner again.

    Important: While scanning the hard drive if any bad sectors are found, the scanner tries to repair that sector, any data available on that might be lost.

    **Method 2:**Create a new user account and check if you’re able to change the User Account Control (UAC) settings in the newly created account.


    Create a user account

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/Windows-vista/Create-a-user-account

    If the issue does not persist in the new user account, it could indicate that your old user account is corrupted.

    Access the link below and follow the steps to repair the corrupt user profile:

    Fix a corrupted user profile

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile

    Let us know the results.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2012-06-27T18:42:38+00:00

    Any further progress on this? Have a client Compaq Presario that started experiencing same problem in same time-frame (end of May). Network reports 'No connections available (as opposed to cable disconnected)'. USB does not detect any memory devices inserted (but WILL recognize if inserted prior to boot).... Every admin tool reports 'The specified service does not exist as an installed service'.

    OS is Win7 64 (home Prem)

    Noticed slight variations of symptoms from one user profile to another.... one profile seems to have all Start Menu items hidden.

    Client originally thought was hardware problem since network, USB, and sound appear not to work.

    Scanned several times using VipreRescue scanner in both nromal and Safe modes.... usually would crash before scan completes. Went as far as removing hard drive and scanning with other system using VipreRescue Scanner - found a few unwanted programs and a trojan, which it removed.... still having same problem. SFC found nothing.

    Also tried disabling all sorts of startup items (everything but Microsoft) but I don't think the MSConfig settings are being saved/honored on restart - all 3rd party services starting regardless.

    Has ANYONE found anything else on this? Ca we see a hands of HW/SW configs experiencing this? (Kinda suspect may be something that latched onto Compaq utils....)

    Tx!

    • Dave
    1 person found this answer helpful.
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