The Windows Security Center Service Can't be started

[Studio1]

I need assistance with getting Windows Security Center and Defender working again. These seem to be the only problems that I have after the Malware was removed.

 

[Jack]

Hi and welcome to the malwaretips.com forums!

I'm Jack and I am going to try to assist you with your problem. Please take note of the below:

• I will start working on your malware issues, this may or may not, solve other issues you have with your machine.
• The fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for this issue on this machine!
• The process is not instant. Please continue to review my answers until I tell you your machine is clear. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.
• If you don't know, stop and ask! Don't keep going on.
• Please reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
• Refrain from running self fixes as this will hinder the malware removal process.
• It may prove beneficial if you print of the following instructions or save them to notepad as I post them.

Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.


Before we start:
Please be aware that removing malware is a potentially hazardous undertaking. I will take care not to knowingly suggest courses of action that might damage your computer. However it is impossible for me to foresee all interactions that may happen between the software on your computer and those we'll use to clear you of infection, and I cannot guarantee the safety of your system. It is possible that we might encounter situations where the only recourse is to re-format and re-install your operating system, or to necessitate you taking your computer to a repair shop.

Because of this, I advise you to backup any personal files and folders before you start.

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STEP 1 : Run a scan with Combofix

Please read and follow very carefully the below instructions​

 
Download ComboFix from one of the following locations: 

COMBOFIX DOWNLOAD LINK #1 (This link will automatically download Combofix on your computer)
COMBOFIX DOWNLOAD LINK #2  (This link will automatically download Combofix on your computer)
 
VERY IMPORTANT !!! Save ComboFix.exe to your Desktop  
<ul>
<li>Close any open browsers.</li>
<li><>Very Important!</> Temporarily <>disable</> your <>anti-virus</>, <>script blocking</> and any <>anti-malware</> real-time protection <em><>before</></em>performing a scan. They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause <em>"unpredictable results"</em>.</li>
<li><>WARNING: Combofix will disconnect your machine from the Internet as soon as it starts</></li>
<li>Please do not attempt to re-connect your machine back to the Internet until Combofix has completely finished.
If there is no internet connection after running Combofix, then restart your computer to restore back your connection.</li>
</ul>

How to run the Combofix scan :

1. Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.
2. Accept the disclaimer and allow to update if it asks
3. Combofix will now start scanning your computer.
4. When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.

Additional notes:
<ol><li> DO NOT mouse-click Combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.</li>
<li>DO NOT "re-run" Combofix. If you have a problem, reply back for further instructions.</li>
<li>IF after the reboot you get errors about programs being marked for deletion then reboot, that will cure it.</li></ol>

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STEP 2: Fix the Windows Services with Service Repair by ESET

1. Download Service Repair (from Eset) from the below link.
   ESET SERVICES REPAIR DOWNLOAD LINK (This page will automatically download on your computer ServicesRepair.exe from ESET)
2. Double click on ServicesRepair.exe, then click on Yes, and allow your computer to be restarted.
3. The tool will create a folder called CC Support in the same directory the tool is run. Post the CC Support\Logs\SvcRepair.txt in your next reply.

<hr />
What's next?

Add the following logs to your next post (You can find here details on how to use the Attachment System):
1.Combofix log
2. SvcRepair.txt from ESET Service Repair.
3.Let me know if you had any problems with the above instructions and also <>let me know how things are running now!</>

 

[Studio1]

Attached are to two files that you requested. The computer rebooted and the problem with Windows Security is resolved.... Thank you

However "\I'm now left with another problem. I'm unable to complete any Windows Updates. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 fails to update. I get the following error code.

ERROR CODE: 8024200D .... Windows Update Encountered an Unknown Error

 

[Studio1]

I found a windows update that resolved the problem.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/C/9/6C970550-32AB-4235-9CDD-7FC9DD848BBB/windowsupdate.diagcab

After I ran the program I was able to download Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

 

[Studio1]

This was the final step ...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2712531

When you install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1), you may receive the following error message:
Error 0x8024200D

To resolve this issue, uninstall Service Pack 1 by using the DISM command. To do this, follow these steps for your version of Windows 7.

For the 32-bit version of Windows 7
Click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box.
Right-click cmd.exe, and then click Run as administrator.
Type the following command, and then press Enter:
dism.exe /online /remove-package /packagenameackage_for_KB976932~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.1.1.17514
After the removal is complete, type exit, and then press Enter.
Restart the computer.

For the 64-bit version of Windows 7
Click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box.
Right-click cmd.exe, and then click Run as administrator.
Type the following command, and then press Enter:
dism.exe /online /remove-package /packagenameackage_for_KB976932~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.17514
After the removal is complete, type exit, and then press Enter.
Restart the computer.

The service pack should download without any issues after this ....

 

[Jack]

Great.Thanks for posting your fix.. ! Lets run a scan with the following tools:
STEP 1: Run a computer scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

1. You can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free from the below link.
   MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free)
2. Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
3. At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
4. Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click on the Scan button.
5. When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
6. Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
7. When completed, a log will open in Notepad. Post the log back here.

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STEP 2: Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner
<ol>
<li>Download ESET Online Scanner utility from the below link
<><a title="External link" href="http://download.eset.com/special/eos/esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe" rel="nofollow">ESET ONLINE SCANNER DOWNLOAD LINK</a></> <em>(This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)</em></li>
<li>Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).</li>
<li>Check <>Yes, I accept the Terms of Use</></li>
<li>Click the <>Start</> button.</li>
<li>Check <>Scan archives</></li>
<li>Push the <>Start</> button.</li>
<li>ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.</li>
<li>When the scan completes, push <>List of found threats</></li>
<li>Push <>Export to Text file </> and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as <>ESET Scan</>. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.Note - when ESET doesn't find any threats, no report will be created.</li>
<li>Push the <>back</> button.</li>
<li>Push <>Finish</></li>
</ol>
<hr />
STEP 3: Run a scan with OTL by OldTimer
<ol><li>Download the OTL utility using the below link :
<><a title="External link" href="http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.exe" rel="nofollow external">OTL DOWNLOAD LINK</a> <em>(This link will automatically download OTL on your computer)</em></></li>
<li>Double click on the icon to run it. Make sure all other windows are closed and to let it run uninterrupted.</li>
<li>When the window appears, <>underneath Output</> at the top change it to <>Minimal Output</>.</li>
<li>Check the boxes beside <>LOP Check</> and <>Purity Check</>.</li>
<li>Click the<> Run Scan</> button.</li>
<li>When the scan completes, it will open a notepad log. <>OTL.Txt</>. This will be saved in the same location as OTL.
<>Please post this log in your next reply.</>.</li></ol>
<hr />
What's next?

Please add in your next reply:
1. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log
2. ESET log
3.OTL logs
4.Let me know if you had any problems with the above instructions and also <>let me know how things are running now!</>