Logon Process Initialization Failure

Question

My laptop displays the following message when I turn it on (the screen is black, but this message shows):  Logon Process Initialization Failure

Interactive logon process initialization has failed.

Please consult the event log for more details.

Clicking OK does nothing, the message just continues to reappear.  I tried shutting down and starting Windows back up in Safe Mode.  The message appears in Safe Mode, as well.

Answer 1

Hello berniesun,

You might give the Startup Repair a try to clear that error. I have included the steps below which are found in the Help section on every version of Windows Vista. If you would like to print these instructions for yourself you can go to Help & Support in the Start Menu and type Startup Repair in the Search box at the top.

Get back with us and let us know if this resolves your problem.

If you have a Windows Vista installation disc, you need to restart (boot) your computer using the installation disc. If you do not restart your computer from the disc, the option to repair your computer will not appear.

If you have a Windows Vista installation disc:

1. Insert the installation disc.
2. Restart your computer. Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button , and then click Restart.
3. If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.

Note

• If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer. You may need to change your computer's BIOS settings. For more information, see BIOS: frequently asked questions.

4. Choose your language settings, and then click Next.
5. Click Repair your computer.
6. Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
7. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem, and if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.

If Startup Repair is a preinstalled recovery option on your computer:

1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer. Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button , and then click Restart.
2. Do one of the following:
   • If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
   • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press ENTER. (If Repair your computer is not listed as an option, then your computer does not include Startup Repair as a preinstalled recovery option.)
4. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
5. Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.
6. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem and, if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.

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Judd

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Answer 2

Lorien - One: Thanks but short of coming over to my place and fixing the problem there's nothing:-)  I have no doubt it is a software problem so I will continue to work on it for a while longer.

Answer 3

Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help beyond what I've already provided.

Good luck!

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Lorien - One - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+

Answer 4

Lorien - One: Thanks for your thoughts.  I will still keep at it for a while longer even though it seems like an exercise in futility.

Answer 5

AV programs can cause a lot of problems with systems.  Norton is especiallly notorious for this - though some others also cause problems.  I gues we can add Kaspersky to the list of AV programs that cause problems.  And they're almost all difficult to successfully remove entirely - some even have special removal tools because of it.

If you're looking for a good AV program, try the free Microsoft Security Essentials http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx (which has received rave reviews and takes up less system resources than almost any other AV product) or if you don't mind spending some money on it, you can try out Pandasoft (www.pandasoft.com) - which is IMHO the bet program for finding and eliminating problems.  Remember to never have more than ONE AV program installed and running on your system at any one time or it can cause conflicts, freezes, and all sorts of other  problems).

he Dell Installation disk may not work for a system repair/upgrade - they usually remove that option from the disks they send so people can't use them on other systems for upgrades.  It's a shame because it eliminates a very valuable troubleshooting tool in the process.  If you really do have the same problem and have tried all the suggested solutions then I'm aftraid a clean install may be your only viable option.

Good luck and hope this helps.

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Lorien - One - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+