Error: Failed to Initialize (0xc0000142)

Hello everyone. Broni and I were working on my computer about a month ago, and we got rid of all malware/viruses on my computer. However, we came to the conclusion that some of my "symptoms" came from corrupted/missing system files. I recently decided to download MSN, and whenever I try to open the installer, this error pops up:

"wlsetup-all.exe - Application Error "
The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000142). Click on OK to terminate the application.

I have always received expert help, so im not too worried about it. I would just like to chat with my friends without having to log on to Bnet. (StarCraft, Diablo 2, etc.) Thanks in advance for all the help!

 

EVERYONE: For convenience, here are links to andrewsauce32's other threads in the Malware and Virus Removal forum.

• WinXP- Comp slowing down; Script Errors (assisted by Broni)
• Personal Antivirus Trojan Message (assisted by Juliet)

Neither thread appears to my untrained eye to deal with anything very serious. (i.e., System files do not appear to have been trashed by malware.)

==========

Hi, andrewsauce32.

QUESTIONS:

Is your Windows XP Home or is it Pro? Which service pack is installed?

Do you have a retail Windows XP CD or is it an OEM CD? Which service pack is included in the CD?

The information requested above would be helpful when deciding whether or not to perform certain tests and/or fix attempts (such as SFC, repair install, etc.).

Also, please enter your System Details (as best you can). Those details might help us solve your problem.

==========

RESEARCH:

I searched the Microsoft Knowledge Base for "The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000142). " and got 11 results.

I have a "hunch" that Windows might treat your MSN installer file (wlsetup-all.exe) as a "console based application ". If the experts among us agree, then you might have a close look at the following article.

• MS KB950312: Error message when you try to start a console-based application, such as Cmd.exe, on a Windows XP-based computer: "The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000142) "
  
  However, note the article states,
  

The Microsoft article is a little unclear to me. Therefore, I think you you should test as follows to determine whether you have the symptoms required for the "hotfix ".

PLEASE TEST AS FOLLOWS.
=========================

First, click Start > Run..., type [FONT= "Courier New"]cmd.exe[/FONT] in the "Open" field, and then click the OK button.

If that produces an error, then please tell us exactly what that error is.

If no error is produced and a window containing a black screen with a "command prompt" (blinking cursor at the end of a folder path) is displayed, then right-click on that window's title bar and select "Properties ". That should open a "Properties" window for your command prompt window.

If it instead produces an error, then please tell us exactly what that error is.

Exit out of the "Properties" window (if it's displayed).

Then, at your "command prompt" in the black window, type [FONT= "Courier New"]exit[/FONT] and then hit your Enter key. That should close your command prompt window.

If you got the "...(0xc0000142)" errors with your Command Prompt window, then see if you can start your computer in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Please let us know how you fare.

==========

I apologize for my lengthy post. However, since you could follow the malware removal instructions, I have faith in your ability to carry out these instructions.

 

Okay, here we go.

As for the command prompt, yes, that still works fine. (Properties included)
Im using Windows Xp Home Edition SP2.
Seeing as this is my mother's computer, im not sure if she has any WinXp cd's; however, I am going to be borrowing one from a friend of mine to try SFC. (As long as thats okay with you, of course!)
And as for my system specs...

PC Make/Model: Dell, AT/AT Compatible
Motherboard: Dell, Dimension 8200
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.00GHz
Memory: 512 Mb (2 x 256 Mb) RDRAM PC800-40
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420
Hard Drive: Western Digital WDC WD800BB-75CAA0 80GB Parallel ATA
Optical #1: Unknown DVD-RW (Not sure about the rest)
Optical #2: LG Electronics CD (Not sure about the rest)
Sound Card: SoundMAX Digital Audio (At least I think that this is what it is.)
Floppy Drive: Yes
Internet Connection: Cable
Connected through: Modem
Monitor: Plug & Play Moniter (Model is SyncMaster)
OS: XP Home SP2
32 bit

So, there's that, and now I await your response.

 

Wait, so im confused... is there nothing we can do? D:
I just realized that I have an old version of MSN on this computer, perhaps that might be the cause of the problem? I suppose I could just uninstall it and see if that works...

 

Thank you, Pete.

Andrew, thank you for putting your system specs into your profile. That'll be handy any time you seek assistance.

Your idea about uninstalling your current MSN seems reasonable since you're having issues with installing the new MSN. Maybe it doesn't like an "over-the-top" installation.

I would uninstall the current MSN, reboot, then install the new MSN, and reboot again.

However, according to Andrew's original post, Broni (and Andrew) apparently thought corrupted/missing system file(s) might have been involved with "strange" behaviors Andrew was experiencing a month or so ago anyway.

I'm not sure how one would proceed with SFC in Andrew's case though because the OS is a Dell XP OEM install, I presume. I don't know whether/how fiddling with the registry to make SFC look in "the proper location" for the I386 files, with a borrowed retail XP SP2 CD, would be advisable or not. I defer such suggestions to PeteC or others more confident in that regard.

 

Alright then, sounds good guys. I suppose ill start by uninstalling the current MSN and trying the new one. Oh, and does the borrowed WinXp CD need to be Home as well? My friend has an SP2 CD, but its in Pro, and this computer uses home.

 

In case you decide to run System File Checker, here are my canned instructions. I haven't run SFC in awhile so I am not 100% certain it still performs exactly the same as I describe below.

• Have your Windows XP CD handy because you may be prompted to insert it into your CD drive during this process.
• Click Start > Run...
• Type [FONT= "Courier New"][SIZE= "3"]sfc /scannow[/SIZE][/FONT] in the "Open:" field.
• Click the OK button.

A "Windows File Protection" window will open and display its progress. If SFC runs successfully without any intervention from you, it will take approximately 15-25 minutes to complete. When SFC completes, the "Windows File Protection" window will simply disappear.

To see any changes that may have been made by SFC after it completes:

• Click Start > Run...
• Type [FONT= "Courier New"][SIZE= "3"]eventvwr.msc[/SIZE][/FONT] in the "Open:" field.
• Click the OK button.
• Click the "System" item on the left side of the "Event Viewer" window.

Any changes made by SFC will be displayed (in reverse order) as "Windows File Protection" events between Event ID 64016 (Windows File Protection started) and 64017 (Windows File Protection completed).

Double-click on an event (or right-click on the event and select "Properties ") to view details about the event. You can use the up/down arrow buttons on the right side of the event's "Properties" window to view details about adjacent events without having to close the event's "Properties" window.

If you want to copy event details to your clipboard (for pasting into Notepad or a forum message, for example), use the button immediately below the up/down arrow buttons in the event's "Properties" window.

 

Alright, well thanks guys! Im going to be getting an SP2 CD next Wednesday, so when I try it out i'll let you guys know how it went!

 

I suppose that attempt did not work, eh? (You have not told us one way or the other.)

Please keep us informed about what you things try and exactly what you observe, especially the exact wording of error messages and what you do/did to cause them.


EDIT: BTW, exactly where did you download your "new MSN" from?
.
.

 

Hey guys, sorry the delay on my response. Ive been kinda... occupied for the past week or so. Anyway, today at 5 im going to be picking up a WinXp Pro SP2 CD from a friend, and im going to attempt SFC. Hopefully that will work! And no, unfortunately, I havent been able to uninstall the older MSN yet, so I cant be entirely sure if that would work or not.

Oh, and I downloaded the MSN installer from the Windows site, and yes, im sure its legit, so no worries there.