Attempts to Connect to Google Earth results in a message "Google Earth has encoutered a problem and needs to close" and promptly does.

Hello Mike,

Thank you for keeping us posted.

As I mentioned in my previous reply, I would suggest you to try creating a new user account and check how it works with new user account.

Refer to the links provided in my previous reply to create a new user account and to fix corrupted user account.

I hope this helps you to fix the issue. If the issue persists, please do reply. We would be happy to help you further.

Hello Sathish,

Thank you for your further suggestions.

When I try to run Sfc.exe  I am not prompted to insert a Windows XP SP2 CD, (I do not get any message or response). 

I have inserted the disc and viewed it's content but was unable to find any reference to the System File Checker.

Attempts to run other sfc files e.g. sfc/scannow resuit in a message "file not found"

I do not know how to procede

Mikem

Hello again Sathish,

Thanks for your troubleshooting suggestions.

Method 1:

I have used the link for the Description of Windows XP - System File Checker (Sfc.exe) " a command-line utility used with Windows File Protection (WFP) feature.

Using the Start menu run box I was unable to find any file relating to System File Checker or Sfc.exe and an attempt to run the Windows File Protection took me via:

D: Documents and Settings\Mike\WINDOWS to a folder labelled system wich is empty!

How can I find Sfc.exe?

Method 2:

I assume that "all third party security software"refers to any products other than Microsoft.

The only security software I am running is Micosoft Security Essentials which I believe covers firewall and antivirus. I have uninstalled Zone Alarm firewall, AVG antivus is still installed but disabled. Apart from these I have Ccleaner and Malwarebytes (a 30 day trial which is being automatically updated).

I used these as suggested by John on this thread no threats were detected.

My PC is probably as clean as it has ever been and I am reluctant to run any programs which may result in loss of programs or data.

I have not yet run "Microsoft Safety Scanner" but in view of previous I doubt that it will show up any faults.

Apart from an inability to run Google Earth and the system errors when switching my PC appears to be running well.

Method 3: 

I have not yet tried the "clean boot state".

Can you offer more advice on Method 1?

Regards Mikem

Hello Mikem,

Thank you for keeping us posted. Perform the following troubleshooting methods:

Method 1:

I would suggest you to run System File Check to fix corrupted System Files and then check if this fixes the issue.

Refer to the link “How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows XP”, to perform System File Check.

**Note:**It may ask for windows CD to fix and to enable SFC to make more than minor repairs. Some files saved on your computer might get deleted when fixing corrupted files.

Method 2:

I would suggest you to disable all third party security software, then download Microsoft Safety Scanner and scan your computer for viruses and Malwares.

You can download Microsoft Safety Scanner from the link "Microsoft Safety Scanner".

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. Any data that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the entire data, which means there is a potential for data loss.

**Note:**I would suggest you to have one security software rather than having two or more security software installed on your computer.

**Warning:**Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. In most cases, you shouldn't disable your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

Method 3:

Place the computer in clean boot state and then check how it works.

Follow the steps from the link “How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state”, to place the computer in clean boot.

Note: Follow the step “Steps to configure Windows to use a Normal startup state”, from the link, to place the computer to normal start.

I hope this helps to fix the issue. If the issue continues, keep us posted. We would be happy to help you further.

John

Thanks again for your help.

I looked in the Event Log, there were numerous Application Errors but I could not decide if any were relevant.

The most frequent was an MsiInstaller error with properties suggesting Zone Alarm Firewall was incompatible with AVG 2013 and suggesting Zone Alarm be uninstalled.

There were also System Errors which predminantly occurred in pairs when switching on. 

I uninstalled Zone Alarm, disabled AVG 2013 and reinstalled Microsoft Security Essentials.

Google Earth was uninstalled and reinstalled.

The PC was used for the usual routine functions but I could still not open Google Earth in IE or Firefox.

The Event Log shows no new Application Errors but System Errors occur in pairs on switching on.

Both are Service Control Manager 7006, properties "Sc Reg Set Value ExW call failed---Acess denied" and gives a link to the Help and Support centre for further information which I have not yet followed up.

I uninstalled and re installed Google Earth again but attempts to open in IE resulted in freezeing of the screen when initializing with programme not responding. In Firefox the operation failed due to QtCore4.dll not found.

Google Earth is currently uninstalled.

Any further suggestions?

Mikem