services database locked

a) We had bad lightening storm

b) Computer (Dell with XP) boots fine.

c) Can do many things - burn DVDs, harddrive access seems fine.

d) No USB functionality. Hardware Manager sees the USB Hubs, says they are fine. If I uninstall the USB stuff in the Manager, they reinstall, look fine. But no USB device gets "seen" when plugged in. Lights on the USB devices do light when plugged in (being powered from the USB ports)

e) System Restore to previous point makes no difference.

f) Event viewer complains about "services database locked ". Can anyone tell what this is ? Can it be the cause/effect of the USB problem ? Could it be software or file corruption problem ??? If s/w - is there a way to unlock it ????

g) Is there a way to tell if the problem is hardware (is the USB on the mobo fried ???

h) Suggestions ????

Thanks,
Smiley (not)

 

214762 "Services Database Is Locked" When Modifying Windows NT Configuration
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=214762

Check this out, I havent ever seen this error on XP, but its caused by the same phenomenon, a service is wedged on initialization. See if you can get to your event logs from safe mode, there should be something juicy in there about some service failing to initialize.

Beyond that, the above article will show you how to start disabling services until you find the culprit. Note that it might be something related to HID, PlugNPlay or USB based on your symptom.