Error message when Windows loads – “Logon Process Initialization Failure”
Interactive logon process initialization has failed
Please consult the event log for more details (That…. would require logging on.)
Clicking OK in the dialog above simply returns you to the same dialog.
All ur logons are belong to us??
Windows LSD – Logon Screen Of Death
Yep that’s my title for what I experienced less than five business days into testing Microsoft Windows Vista Business edition. After having issues with activation, wireless, app compatibility, UAC, system speed, memory use, and having to learn a completely new GUI I am locked out of my machine with no way back in.
The Microsoft website returns zero hits on the error dialog below.
The greater Internets returns nothing I can find beyond “me too” and “re-install Vista”.
I card into the office, snap my D630 into it’s port replicator, boot my machine, get my apps fired up (860 megs of Memory for Lotus Notes, Internet Explorer, McAfee VSE 8.5, McAfee CMA 3.6, and SMS 2003 SP2 clients) and go get some eye opener while the system settles in.
Five minutes into my day I’m browsing the Dell ImageBuilder website when my machine reboots with zero notification. During reboot Vista runs a Chkdsk and reports no errors. Then I’m greeted with my first ever Logon Screen of Death. I cannot log in and am advised to “consult the event log for more details” which of course requires logging in to do. Clicking the “OK” on ther error dialog box simply returns the error again after 2-3 seconds. Sigh.
I try safe mode. Same thing. I try over and over. No way I can log in. So I boot off a BartPE/XP custom recovery disk and run a full Disk Check – no errors. I browse the contents of my disk and everything appears fine and dandy. I go hunting for the mysterious log files I’m supposed to consult when Windows is on LSD. Well it appears Vista abandoned .EVT as the system log file extension. XML nowadays and I can’t make much headway there as of yet.
Solution: Boot from the Vista CD – select Repair
If you have a Windows Vista installation disc:
- Insert the installation disc.
- Restart your computer. Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button , and then click Restart.
- If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.Note
If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer. You may need to change your computer’s BIOS settings. For more information, seeBIOS: frequently asked questions.
- Choose your language settings, and then click Next.
- Click Repair your computer.
- Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
- On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem, and if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.
If Startup Repair is a preinstalled recovery option on your computer:
- Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button , and then click Restart.
- Do one of the following:
- If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
- If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.
- On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press ENTER. (If Repair your computer is not listed as an option, then your computer does not include Startup Repair as a preinstalled recovery option.)
- Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
- Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.
- On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem and, if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.
26 thoughts on “Windows Vista – Logon Process Initialization Failure”
how should I down load latest software for that disk?
Thank you so much very helpful!!!
my computer cant boot from the start up disc so i tried looking for the BIOS, however the system says that the BIOS is unchangable…….
what do I do
This worked for me restart ur comp after getting bios screen start hitting F8 on ur keyboradu will get a screen with number of option select Last know working config(advanced)….
it should work but this is not a permanent solution
I’m having the exact same problem.
I can’t get into safe mode, I don’t have a disc and I cannot loose everything because all my uni work is on there.
I too have tried system restore, startup repair, whole pc restore, eveything but nothing works!
How do you copy the Application file using the command prompt?
Hi Maggie, a new system comes with a Windows OS install CD/DVD or has the install on the HD. Sony may have also pre-configured Startup Repair in the menus. Please review the details at the link:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Startup-Repair-frequently-asked-questions
I just experienced the Black Screen of Death. I’m getting the “Interactive Logon Process initialization has failed.” Tearfully, she cried, I don’t have a a System Recovery Disc. Any suggestions for getting this Brand New Sony Vaio to come back to life? I am forever in your debit…..
Startup Repair solves the issue, not system repair
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Startup-Repair-frequently-asked-questions
i have the same problem — after getting my original cd and hitting f8 — i go to system repair it finds no problems.. when i try to restore to one of the 10 repair points it reads as a catastrophic failure. I am at a loss.
whooah… solved it….
its my discovery… experimenting mine…
more little sacrifice than formatting your hard drive…
it includes reinstalling your operating system..
soo.. lets get moving with the directions….
1.. boot your vista cd
2… go to the repair menu…
3….open the restore from pc??? urgh… i forgot it… its the middle one i think.. :D(not the system restore…)
4…..find the driver.. cause youll never see a thing…
5…… use the advantage of “finding the drivers”… delete the whole C:\Windows…! even the system files… it takes time…
6…….reinstall the operating system….
7…….. all files saved except the one in the windows folder…
im just experimenting……
hahha…!
im just stupid…
and one more thing…
dont take credit of my work….
(THATS MY CREDIT..YOU THIEF..!)
:P
i cant use the safe mode!! if i use safe mode the are a problem too
I found the best way! just go to the safe mode and then click
Start
All Programs
Accessories
System Tools
click System Restore
just restore at a point before you installed the antivirus or whatever software caused this problem
nothing is lost of course! very reliefing!
I have the same problem and it is Sept 2010-is this still going on? Why hasn’t Microsoft issued a fix for this?
I do not want ot lose all on my computer-any other solutions?
I have the same problems so what can i do cause, i tried my level best to boot from vista cd and then repair
The only solution is remove your hard drive from your computer put it in an external case plug it into another computer back up your stuff. Then format and after reinstall your things.
Sreenath & Jon – Solution: Boot from the Vista CD – select Repair.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html
So what happens if I don’t have another computer I can use? I have the original disk with vista on it when I bought my laptop, but every site I go to about this particular error says loading the disk will delete everything off my hardrive. Any suggestions for a computer newbie?
Hello. I know this thread is super old, but I have found a solution to this as i googled. Maybe somebody will find this useful.
Open up a command prompt from your recovery options and copy C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Application.evtx to an external disk. Get on another computer with Vista and open up Application.evtx with the Event Viewer. Find the error where SideBySide is the source in the event log and it should say something about an error in some manifest file. Now go back to your computer and replace that file on your C drive with a copy of that file from your recovery partition or recovery disk. Restart your computer and it should work.
i had this problem on my acer laptop i spoke 2 acer and this is what they told me to do:
turn it off
press and hold down the ALT key
turn it back on continuing to hold down the ALT key
when it goes to the acer screen continue to hold down the ALT key and also hold down F10
it may start making aloud beeping noise but continue to hold down BOTH keys
realease BOTH keys when it gets to the windows page
it should then come up with recovery managment page
then select restore to factory default and follow the instructions
it will take around 30-40mins
YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING OFF YOUR HARD DRIVE! but thats the only downside, its free and u cant use your laptop with the error you have!
i cant guarantee it will work for you but it worked for me on my acer laptop!
I too have the same problem with the Logon error. I did not hget a disk for reloading vista, where can I get one to reboot Vista on my emachine i purchased just 6 months ago!! Thanks
I had same problem when SVKP.sys was deleted by my antivirus softwave. I couldn’t do anything but luckily i had system restore on and tried to restore it . It worked but i doubted the SVKP.sys caused that situation.
Just tried Startup Repair, no luck, and my system was supposed to be automatically setting restore points, but System Restore keeps telling me there are no restore points…Is there any other way to fix this without losing all my installed programs and files?
No matter men have created technology to make life better..but men are put into headace by the very machine we use to make work easier…Its a hell when we are in such a situation. Sometimes I think old age was far better. This Error message has been killed me twice and I am freaking out still. Hell with those Microsoft creator. I think Linux is better than Microsoft…
The solution that worked for me is above in bold titled “Solution – Boot from the Vista CD – select Repair” with a link directly to the solution.
Microsoft – you still cannot search Microsoft’s site for this error message despite Google returning 633 results for the exact phrase “Logon Process Initialization Failure”.
I need to know the solution , all my work is on the PC that has the same problem :(
so did you find a solution???
I’m having the same nightmare with Vista Home.