Problem With Windows Vista

aprilbey1983 · 07-02-2008, 09:22 AM

Hey guys,

You've helped me so much in the past, I figured I'd try to see if you can help me again. I don't know what happened but last night my computer popped up a message when I turned it on.
It says:
Failed to connect to a windows service. Windows could not connect to the System Event Notification Service service. This problem prevents limited users from logging on to the system. As an administrative user, you can reveiw the System Event Log for details about why the service didn't respond.

But, when I go to see the System Event Log it says: Event Log service is unavailable. Verify that the service is running. Task Scheduler also says: Task scheduler service is not available. Verify that the service is running. And under the services menu for system event notification service properties it says: Startup type is automatic, but service status is starting, not started.

I am also not able to get online, whether it be through dial-up or DSL, I've tried both. So, I am writing this post on another computer. I have windows vista on my computer, and haven't had problems like this since I've had vista, so I don't have the hijackthis program on the computer with the issues and I'm not sure what to do, since I can't get online to get the program.

Thank you for your help!
April

davehc · 07-02-2008, 09:36 AM

I have read that a few reboots will cure this ???
however. Type Services.msc in the RUN and scroll down to "System event Notification"
Turn it to manual. restart the computer and then go back in and put the service back on automatic. Restart again and see if the problem has gone away.

aprilbey1983 · 07-02-2008, 10:05 AM

I tried changing it to manual rebooting then back to automatic and rebooting and it doesn't change anything. I have rebooted several times and that doesn't change anything either.

What should I do now?

Thanks for your time, I really appreciate your help.

davehc · 07-02-2008, 10:36 AM

I've been browsing and it seems that noone has come up with a satisfactory solution. The problem seems to be linked with unsuccesful updates. But anyway, try these.
Type Sfc /scannow in the RUN
If the problem did not go away, open Windows Updates.Select the Updates History and see in there are any unsuccesfuls there. If you can see any, right click and hide it. Make a note of exactly which update it is.
If that works, post back and I or another reader will tell you how to get the update reloaded.

aprilbey1983 · 07-02-2008, 11:05 AM

When I type the Sfc /scannow a black box pops up for like 1/2 a second then goes away. So, it doesn't look like that is doing anything. I looked for updates, which for some reason took the computer 5 minutes to even pull up, but it looks like a white box with nothing in it. It's like it doesn't think there were any updates, which is obviously wrong because I know it updates all the time. But, I did find something called Installed updates and it has a bunch of updates listed there but I'm assuming they were all successful since they are in the installed updates menu. Do you want me to uninstall anything or list for you what updates I show?

Thanks

aprilbey1983 · 07-02-2008, 11:38 AM

I was looking online and it looks like a lot of people have had this happen after a bad update and that their update history won't come up either. From what I can tell, usually the only thing that works is doing a system restore and then re-downloading the updates after the system has been restored. Do you think I should do that, or is there a better way?

aprilbey1983 · 07-02-2008, 12:54 PM

Actually, I don't know if a system restore will work. It says I don't have any restore points and it won't let me create one, it gives an error message and says that is not supported. I am really stumped. Thank you for your help, please let me know what to do next.

davehc · 07-02-2008, 01:00 PM

I think you are looking in the wrong place for the updates?
Go into the Control panel (Classic view) and select Windows updates - its an icon right at the bottom. Over on the left, in the blue panel, select "View update history"
A list should come up immediately, showing all the updates. Under Status it show id the updates were succesful.

aprilbey1983 · 07-02-2008, 01:11 PM

Hi Dave,

That is where I went to get the update history but I tried it again and it becomes a white box that is empty except for a button at the bottom that says ok. At the top of the box it says control panel-windows update-view update history. But the whole inside of the box is white with nothing in it. I thought maybe it was just taking a long time to load, but it will stay white and never change. I left it on this screen earlier for over 30 minutes and nothing happens.

davehc · 07-02-2008, 09:26 PM

OK. Desperate measures!
Go to Windows - Software Distribution - Data store and see if you have a file there called DataStore.old. If so, renname it DataStore.edb. Reboot and try and see if you now have your updates showing.

aprilbey1983 · 07-03-2008, 08:40 AM

I went to the windows\softwaredistribution\datastore and the file is already named datastore.edb This is an awful problem! Any other ideas? Thanks again.

davehc · 07-03-2008, 08:49 AM

I am out of ideas!! Set up another user and logon and see what you have then.

aprilbey1983 · 07-03-2008, 08:58 AM

Ok I tried that, but the same message from the beginnning is still coming up:

Failed to connect to a windows service. Windows could not connect to the System Event Notification Service service. This problem prevents limited users from logging on to the system. As an administrative user, you can reveiw the System Event Log for details about why the service didn't respond.

It doesn't look like anything has changed. I appreciate all your help. I've just got to find a way to get my computer working again. It wouldn't let me use system restore, is there another way to take the computer back in time, or reinstall or something?

aprilbey1983 · 07-03-2008, 09:45 AM

It looks like my most recent updates showing on my computer are from June 17 and June 12. Could these updates have caused this problem? I'm not sure why it would take so long for the problem to appear though. Should I uninstall the updates?

davehc · 07-03-2008, 11:00 AM

Oh - Thats new!! Where did you read those updates? By all means uninstall the last one, you can always reinstall it. But I don't honestly think that is getting close to the problem.
fwiw. I have had 3 "important "updates since that date.
Have you got you updates on automatic or?? Maybe trying to "check for updates" might reveal something - even reinstalling the whole kebang?

aprilbey1983 · 07-03-2008, 11:19 AM

Well, it wouldn't let me see the update history, but it had this option on the windows update that said installed updates, so I went to that and that is where I found those updates. I uninstalled the last one and it didn't do anything, I think there are about 6 or 7updates on June 12, haven't tried uninstalling those yet, should I?

My updates were set at automatic, but this thing made me mad, so I changed it to ask me before downloading updates (after the problem happened). But, when the problem occurred it was on automatic updating. I tried the check for updates and it says: Windows could not search for updates errors found: Code 80080005 (I'm thinking I'm getting this message because it won't connect to the internet.

What do you mean by reinstalling the whole thing? What would I be trying to do?

davehc · 07-03-2008, 09:46 PM

I have digressed with the update problem. It is only an association with your real problem. I think, at this stage, your only option is a restore or, if unable, a complete reinstallation.

aprilbey1983 · 07-12-2008, 07:48 PM

I don't know how to close the thread, but it can be now. I am so sick of windows vista, so i am just going back to xp. If I have any problems getting that installed and vista uninstalled, I will ask for your help! Thank you so much! You guys are great.

07-02-2008, 09:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Problem With Windows Vista Hey guys, You've helped me so much in the past, I figured I'd try to see if you can help me again. I don't know what happened but last night my computer popped up a message when I turned it on. It says: Failed to connect to a windows service. Windows could not connect to the System Event Notification Service service. This problem prevents limited users from logging on to the system. As an administrative user, you can reveiw the System Event Log for details about why the service didn't respond. But, when I go to see the System Event Log it says: Event Log service is unavailable. Verify that the service is running. Task Scheduler also says: Task scheduler service is not available. Verify that the service is running. And under the services menu for system event notification service properties it says: Startup type is automatic, but service status is starting, not started. I am also not able to get online, whether it be through dial-up or DSL, I've tried both. So, I am writing this post on another computer. I have windows vista on my computer, and haven't had problems like this since I've had vista, so I don't have the hijackthis program on the computer with the issues and I'm not sure what to do, since I can't get online to get the program. Thank you for your help! April

07-02-2008, 09:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
davehc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK Posts: 21 OS: Vista 64 SP1	Re: Problem With Windows Vista I have read that a few reboots will cure this ??? however. Type Services.msc in the RUN and scroll down to "System event Notification" Turn it to manual. restart the computer and then go back in and put the service back on automatic. Restart again and see if the problem has gone away.

07-02-2008, 10:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista I tried changing it to manual rebooting then back to automatic and rebooting and it doesn't change anything. I have rebooted several times and that doesn't change anything either. What should I do now? Thanks for your time, I really appreciate your help.

07-02-2008, 10:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
davehc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK Posts: 21 OS: Vista 64 SP1	Re: Problem With Windows Vista I've been browsing and it seems that noone has come up with a satisfactory solution. The problem seems to be linked with unsuccesful updates. But anyway, try these. Type Sfc /scannow in the RUN If the problem did not go away, open Windows Updates.Select the Updates History and see in there are any unsuccesfuls there. If you can see any, right click and hide it. Make a note of exactly which update it is. If that works, post back and I or another reader will tell you how to get the update reloaded.

07-02-2008, 11:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista When I type the Sfc /scannow a black box pops up for like 1/2 a second then goes away. So, it doesn't look like that is doing anything. I looked for updates, which for some reason took the computer 5 minutes to even pull up, but it looks like a white box with nothing in it. It's like it doesn't think there were any updates, which is obviously wrong because I know it updates all the time. But, I did find something called Installed updates and it has a bunch of updates listed there but I'm assuming they were all successful since they are in the installed updates menu. Do you want me to uninstall anything or list for you what updates I show? Thanks

07-02-2008, 11:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista I was looking online and it looks like a lot of people have had this happen after a bad update and that their update history won't come up either. From what I can tell, usually the only thing that works is doing a system restore and then re-downloading the updates after the system has been restored. Do you think I should do that, or is there a better way?

07-02-2008, 12:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista Actually, I don't know if a system restore will work. It says I don't have any restore points and it won't let me create one, it gives an error message and says that is not supported. I am really stumped. Thank you for your help, please let me know what to do next.

07-02-2008, 01:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
davehc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK Posts: 21 OS: Vista 64 SP1	Re: Problem With Windows Vista I think you are looking in the wrong place for the updates? Go into the Control panel (Classic view) and select Windows updates - its an icon right at the bottom. Over on the left, in the blue panel, select "View update history" A list should come up immediately, showing all the updates. Under Status it show id the updates were succesful.

07-02-2008, 01:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista Hi Dave, That is where I went to get the update history but I tried it again and it becomes a white box that is empty except for a button at the bottom that says ok. At the top of the box it says control panel-windows update-view update history. But the whole inside of the box is white with nothing in it. I thought maybe it was just taking a long time to load, but it will stay white and never change. I left it on this screen earlier for over 30 minutes and nothing happens.

07-02-2008, 09:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
davehc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK Posts: 21 OS: Vista 64 SP1	Re: Problem With Windows Vista OK. Desperate measures! Go to Windows - Software Distribution - Data store and see if you have a file there called DataStore.old. If so, renname it DataStore.edb. Reboot and try and see if you now have your updates showing.

07-03-2008, 08:40 AM	#11 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista I went to the windows\softwaredistribution\datastore and the file is already named datastore.edb This is an awful problem! Any other ideas? Thanks again.

07-03-2008, 08:49 AM	#12 (permalink)
davehc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK Posts: 21 OS: Vista 64 SP1	Re: Problem With Windows Vista I am out of ideas!! Set up another user and logon and see what you have then.

07-03-2008, 08:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista Ok I tried that, but the same message from the beginnning is still coming up: Failed to connect to a windows service. Windows could not connect to the System Event Notification Service service. This problem prevents limited users from logging on to the system. As an administrative user, you can reveiw the System Event Log for details about why the service didn't respond. It doesn't look like anything has changed. I appreciate all your help. I've just got to find a way to get my computer working again. It wouldn't let me use system restore, is there another way to take the computer back in time, or reinstall or something?

07-03-2008, 09:45 AM	#14 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista It looks like my most recent updates showing on my computer are from June 17 and June 12. Could these updates have caused this problem? I'm not sure why it would take so long for the problem to appear though. Should I uninstall the updates?

07-03-2008, 11:00 AM	#15 (permalink)
davehc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK Posts: 21 OS: Vista 64 SP1	Re: Problem With Windows Vista Oh - Thats new!! Where did you read those updates? By all means uninstall the last one, you can always reinstall it. But I don't honestly think that is getting close to the problem. fwiw. I have had 3 "important "updates since that date. Have you got you updates on automatic or?? Maybe trying to "check for updates" might reveal something - even reinstalling the whole kebang?

07-03-2008, 11:19 AM	#16 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista Well, it wouldn't let me see the update history, but it had this option on the windows update that said installed updates, so I went to that and that is where I found those updates. I uninstalled the last one and it didn't do anything, I think there are about 6 or 7updates on June 12, haven't tried uninstalling those yet, should I? My updates were set at automatic, but this thing made me mad, so I changed it to ask me before downloading updates (after the problem happened). But, when the problem occurred it was on automatic updating. I tried the check for updates and it says: Windows could not search for updates errors found: Code 80080005 (I'm thinking I'm getting this message because it won't connect to the internet. What do you mean by reinstalling the whole thing? What would I be trying to do?

07-03-2008, 09:46 PM	#17 (permalink)
davehc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK Posts: 21 OS: Vista 64 SP1	Re: Problem With Windows Vista I have digressed with the update problem. It is only an association with your real problem. I think, at this stage, your only option is a restore or, if unable, a complete reinstallation.

07-12-2008, 07:48 PM	#18 (permalink)
aprilbey1983 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 OS: win xp	Re: Problem With Windows Vista I don't know how to close the thread, but it can be now. I am so sick of windows vista, so i am just going back to xp. If I have any problems getting that installed and vista uninstalled, I will ask for your help! Thank you so much! You guys are great.