Windows Vista Defender Won't Initialize

Question

After downloading (registering?) McAfee, I suddenly get an error message every single time I boot up my brand new Dell Studio computer which says something to the effect of, ""Windows Defender Unable to Initialize". It then tells me to either restart the computer or look online for solutions. I've done both but to no avail. Since then, I've had all kinds of strange problems with my computer. As a new computer owner, this has been verrrrrrry frustration. One of them has been the uncontrollabe font size that you may see in this message. Sometimes it's nearly microscopic and other times it "decides" to be enorrmous. In doing my online research, I learned that I may have registry errors and all manner of free, "quick-fix" downloads were presentedl I tried to download a couple, but they wouldn't go through because I have 64 bit "somthing" and they were only 32 bit. Finally, I paid $40 for "Reg Tool" which at least removed a ton of registry errors and now protects my computer against many incoming ills, but still did not solve the the original problem!!! Can anyone out there help me!!! I no longer enjoy using my computer (which is so sad, considering it's a brand new Dell Studio with all the bells and whistles). There are so many problems, however, because of this non-working Windows Defender problem, that it's as if day by day the whole OP is slowly degrading. One day, my whole desktop turned upside down!!! Also, when I'm writing e-mails or facebook messages, they suddenly disappear all the time! Then, I need to try to remember what I just wrote and re-compose the message all over again. Frustratingly, the message will disappear again!!! I can only handle this cycle about 3-4 times before I scream and give up! It's to the point of the absurb, and incredibly frustrating!!! Of course, as a former XP user, I realize that some of this may be due to Vista, but surely not all. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. Please forgive me for any typos - I can't see what I'm typing due to the microscopic font size.

Thanks so much,

Sharatron

fireberd · Answer

First with a new PC (I assume it's new by your statements and I would categorize that is one or two weeks old) there won't be any huge registry errors as you say that the program "found" (registry scanners will flag stuff that is not really registry "errors" so they can sell you the program and as a PC tech I run into a lot of PC programs caused by registry repair programs).

McAfee includes a program equivalent to the Defender so you don't really need it, as does many security packages.

But, with all the problems you have, I would do a factory restore (F8 at boot up on a Vista machine) and go from there. If it still has problems and you are in the US and within the 21 day Dell return period I would call Dell Customer Service and request a return authorization.

How to Restore a Dell to Factory Condition.

sharatron · Answer

Thank you so much for your response! Very enlightening! I read up on the factory restore info. link that you provided (thank you!) and am able to do the #1 option. Just a few questions first. Will I lose all my photos? If so, I will obviously put them on a jump drive (which is always a good back-up practice anyway). In terms of this "registry fix" program that I wasted $40 on, how can I save it? I also bought another program (online again) for $29 called "Disc Doctor" because I have been unable to use my printer (the somewhat older software is apparently not compatible with Vista and Disc Doctor was unable to fix it. Just for princlple sake, (because I spent all the money), I want to save the programs I downloaded. How do I do this when doing a factory restore? Will they transfer to a jump drive? It is good to know that a new computer cannot have registry errors!!! So if worse comes to worse, I will try to return and get my money back on the $40 program. Unfortunately, I am not within the 21 day return period, so I sure hope this works. I cannot get this underlining to stop. ha! ha!

Thanks again for all your help!

Sharatron

fireberd · Answer

The restore will erase all user data, so back it up on a USB drive, external hard drive, CD's, etc - whatever you have. Same way with the programs you downloaded and purchased. They are on the hard drive somewhere or maybe they show up on the desktop, but wherever they are copy them to the backup media too, so you can reinstall them if you want.

PudgyOne · Answer

Sharatron,   I had a small issue where mine wasn't updating. Maybe this link will help.     Rick

sharatron · Answer

Hi Rick,

Thanks so much for the information and the link! I hope it works because my computer only accepts 64 bits, not 32. I will try it once I can get my printer to interface with my computer (there are so many instructions, that it's too laborious to write them all down). You see, Vista won't accept my printer software driver - so that's another problem I have to solve. I'm without a printer right now! Another frustration! The printer is older but excellent. So, I must dig out my newer (but poorer quality printer) and hook it up. Boy oh boy this is so fun :)

Thanks again,

Sharatron

sharatron · Answer

Thank you FIreberd -- extremely valuable information!!! I certainly don't want to lose any of my data, programs, photos, etc. Good to know I can reinstall them after the "restore".

Thanks again,

Sharatron

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Windows Vista Defender Won't Initialize

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