Workstation service will not start -- gets error 2

[Jim Snively]

Without the Workstation service starting the computer is almost useless. No
networking, can't install SpywareDoctor (needs to update itself), Can't
install Belkin Easy Transfer
Cable for Windows 7 (requires Crypto service which depends on workstation).
Can't even look at events.
Can't burn CD's.

Trying to start the workstation service service gives:

Could not start the Workstation service on Local Computer.
Error 2: The system could not find the file specified

I tried sfc /scannow. It took all afternoon but did not help the issue.

My only recourse to migrate to a new Windows machine is to hang the HDD on
another
machine and burn CD's there/

Any suggestions would be welcome.

[John John - MVP]

Is the ServiceDll value pointing to %SystemRoot%\System32\wkssvc.dll at
the HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanworkstation\parameters key?

Yes it is. And the file exists there 129KB dated 6/10/2009 2:14 am.

Try reinstalling the Client for Microsoft Networks (on the LAN adapter's
Properties in Network Connections) if it is shown as installed uninstall
then reinstall it.

How to troubleshoot missing network connections icons in Windows Server
2003 and in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/825826

[Adnan]

I think this is NetBEUI protocol problem. You should use the following
steps to solve this:

Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-
click Network.
Click the Bindings tab, and then click All Adapters in the Show
Bindings For box.
Click the plus sign next to the second network adapter.
Click NetBEUI Protocol, and then click Disable.
Click Close, and then restart the computer.

[Jim Snively]

Nice thought, but Control Panel has only Network Connections. Network
Cnnections has only My Web Sites on MSN. There are 3 network adapters in
device manager -- one NIC, one wireless NIC and 1394 Net Adapter. No
connections.

Any further ideas.

The adapters do not show in network connections. They do show in device
manager. What can I to to restore them?

Uninstalled and let windows reinstall the network adapters. The network
connectrions did NOT repopulate. Any other ideas?

[John John - MVP]

Try the "Advanced Troubleshooting" steps at the bottom of the same article.

The Windows installation is damaged or missing files. Run sfc /scannow
and see if things improve.

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

I ran sfc /scannow with no messages but the problem still persists.

[Jim Snively]

I'm finally getting around to working through the article you sreferred me
to --

The following glitches occur:

1. I cannot manually start the RPC sevice -- it gets error 2: the
requested file is not found.
2. I cannot open the properties for the network adapters in device manager.
Double click
does not work nor does properties from the context (right click) menu.

[John John - MVP]

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978788

[Jose]

On Jun 22, 8:55 am, "Jim Snively" <jwsniv...@comcast.net> wrote:
> John,
>
> I ran sfc /scannow with no messages but the problem still persists.
>
> Jim Snively
>
But you do come away with a sense of satisfaction sometimes (and still
have the problem).

Error 2 is error 2: file not found.

Did you look in the event log to see if there are any clues there?