Topic: notebook and MS Security Essentials

[Bill]

I have been trying to install MS security ess. on my Lenovo notebook which I haven't touched in a year, running XP pro sp2

4 attempts to install resulted in an error message and failure.  I completely uninstalled AVG 8 using the AVG removal tool, scanned for viruses, defraged and rebooted.  I downloaded a fresh copy of MS security from the MS site.  This attempt completed but on reboot has completely locked up the notebook.  Task manager doesn't respond, at the point in any reboot when the MS task bar icon turns from red to green the system is locked.  I tried to use the XP install disc which got me nowhere I could follow.

Unless someone has a suggestion, the only alternative I can think of is to format and install, again, which for this machine is really a chore.
Thoughts?

Bill

[Buffalo2102]

Have you tried Safe Mode?  If not, try that and uninstall MS SE in Safe Mode.

[Bill]

Thanks Buff but MS Ess. won't run in safe mode and it seems it must run to get to the uninstaller.

[Bill]

I am in the process of using System Restore in safe mode which so far seems to be working.  I'll update......

[pat]

I remember reading about this utility, but if you can't access your system it may not help.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-microsoft-security-essentials-with-fix-mse-utility

[Bill]

Thanks.  I was successful using the Restore tool in safe mode.  At this point I have run a removal tool from AVG to remove all of AVG 8.
I also did a reg edit and purged AVG. 

What I'd like to do is find out why MS Security locked the system in the first place.  I am going to do another A/v scan, with Spybot, defrag, and reboot.  I'd also like to find out if remnants of the failed install of MS security are still around.

Bill

[Bill]

The Install Cleaner found no traces of MS security.  After I finish with Spybot and defrag I am going to try MS Security again, with my fingers crossed.

[Bill]

The retry failed.  I'll pass, again.
Back to AVG, now 9, that I've used for a long time.

I guess that's why there is chocolate and vanilla.
Bill

[pat]

I've installed it on several XP installations. There is a different download for the XP version though.

[scuzzy]

Essentials overrides Defender on installation.