lsass.exe - operation failed - WinXP won't boot

thewebdevil · Dec 3, 2007

I am running Windows XP Home SP1 and whenever I start the machine in normal mode or safe mode, XP will load to the logon screen and pop up a dialog box that reads, "LSASS.EXE - OPERATION FAILED" with an option to press "OK".

When I press OK the computer reboots and comes back to the same error. I cannot get around it in normal mode or safe mode as the error appears in both. I have read many threads on this and I gather it is an infection of the Sasser virus and I see many removal tools that I would love to run but can't for the fact that I can't get into Windows.

Is there a way I can fix this without restoring the entire operating system or removing the hard drive? Any way to run removal tools and repair the LSASS.exe file outside of Windows?

chaslang · Dec 3, 2007

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Actually this does not sound like a Sasser worm. Those symtoms would be more like what is describe here:

http://www.pchell.com/virus/sasser.shtml

Sounds like you have a different problem and you may need to go to the Software Forum to work it out. It could require use of the Recovery Console so make sure you have your Win XP SP1 boot CD. It's possible that the below procedure could be in your future

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545&sd=tech

However I would post in the Software Forum first and see what they have to say.

In the mean time you could also try physically unplugging the cable to your NIC card and seeing if the PC boots.

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lsass.exe - operation failed - WinXP won't boot

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chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member