error 0x800401f3

Question

i am on vista on my laptop

i keep getting the error 0x800401f3 unable to initilize internal COM library

any help ???

i havent got a clue

Answer 1

Hi abbiekr1811,

Welcome to the windows vista answers forum.

Please let us know more information about the issue. When exactly do you get the error. However, you can try these steps for now.

You can place the computer in a clean boot state and check if you get the error, to do a clean boot follow the steps below:

1.     Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.

2.     Click Start Collapse this imageExpand this imag, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to start the System Configuration Utility.

Collapse this imageExpand this imagIf you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

3.     On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then click to clear the Load startup items check box. (The Use Original Boot.ini check box is unavailable.)

4.     On the Servicestab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then click Disable all.

Note Following this step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points.

5.     Click OK, and then click Restart.

If you do not get the error anymore after the restart, you can try the steps below:

a.             Follow steps 1a and 1b to start the System Configuration utility.

b.             Click the Services tab, and then click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box.

c.             Click to select half of the check boxes in the Service list.

d.     Click OK, and then click Restart

If the problem still occurs, repeat step 1 and step 2. In step 2, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Service list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat step 1 and step 2. In step 2, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Service list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one service is selected in the Service list, and you still experience the problem, the selected service causes the problem. Go to step 6. If no service causes this problem, go to the next step.

Enable half of the Startup items

a.             Perform a clean boot by repeating step 1.

b.             Click the Startup tab, and then click to select half of the check boxes in the Startup Item list.

c.     Click OK, and then click Restart.

d. Determine whether the problem returns

e.             If the problem still occurs, repeat step 1 and step 4. In step 4, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Startup Item list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat step 1 and step 4. In step 4, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Startup Item list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one startup item is selected in the Startup Item list, and you still experience the problem, the startup item that is selected in the list is the service that is causing the problem. Go to step 6.

If no startup item causes this problem, a Microsoft service most likely causes the problem. To determine which Microsoft service may be causing the problem, repeat step 1 and step 2 without selecting the Hide all Microsoft services check box in either step.

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Resolve the problem

f.              After you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact the program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the System Configuration Utility, and then click to clear the check box for the problem item.

Reset the computer to start as usual

After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

a.             Click Start Collapse this imageExpand this imag, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.Collapse this imageExpand this imaIf you are     prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

b.             On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.

c.     When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

I hope this information is helpful.

Please let us know if you require further help.

Regards

Rehman - Microsoft Support