Another "Waaa, Windows 8 won't start!" Thread

Newms34

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Another "Waaa, Windows Defender won't start!" Thread

Hi! Hoping I've come to the right place here. I've searched a lot on Google for problems identical/similar to mine, but they all seem to want me to install their own private little "fix" tools, and other than essential "well-known" software such as Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and CCleaner, I'm reticent to install any other programs. So here's the issue:
  1. When I got my computer, I installed AVG antivirus (I'm sure the "AV-" of "AVG" stands for "antivirus", so that's probably redundant, but... whatever).
  2. About a day ago, AVG was acting up a bit (slowing stuff down), so having heard really good things about MSE, I uninstalled AVG.
  3. I "cleaned" the uninstall with AVG's own removal tool from AVG | Download tools and utilities
  4. I then found out that MSE apparently doesn't work on Win8 (or rather, it's supposedly already included?).
  5. So I went to turn on Windows Defender. I get the following error: "Windows Defender has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status".
  6. I restarted the computer (actually a few times).
  7. I ran Malwarebytes, and the Microsoft Safety Scanner (not at the same time! subsequently!). No viruses, etc. found. Whoopie.
  8. I searched around a bit for my issue, and found that I should run "services.msc" and check for "windows defender", and do something with that. So I start services.msc, and Windows Defender is... not there. There IS a service with the name "$(BrandName)" that has the description "Helps protect against viruses, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software". The "Service Name" when you right click on it and pick Properties is indeed "WinDefend", so I'm fairly sure this is Windows Defender.
  9. Attempting to click "Start" to start the service returns: "Windows could not start the $(BrandName) service on Local Computer. Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion."
  10. The registry key for Windows Defender at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend DOES have "$(BrandName)" as the "Display Name"
  11. Finally, I went to Windows Firewall, and "allowed" windows defender through the firewall.
So I'm pretty much at a loss here. Should I just forget about Windows Defender, since it seems like Microsoft's product simply cannot handle the fact that people do occasionally try other Antivirus products? Every forum I've read mentions people having trouble activating Windows Defender. Thanks in advance. EDIT: removed system specs, since they apparently ARE listed. EDIT2, ELECTRIC BOOGALOO: I also wanna say that I hope by doing what I HAVE done that I'm not jumping ahead here. I just figured I'd attempt to post a little more than the usual "FIX MY COMPUTER!!" stuff.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y500
    CPU
    Intel i7 3630QM @ 2.4GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GeForce GT 650M
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    (none)
Open the Action Center and it should be flagged there that its not activated and try to activate it there (a button should allow you to do so)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Open the Action Center and it should be flagged there that its not activated and try to activate it there (a button should allow you to do so)

I've tried that. I get the following error:
"Windows Defender has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y500
    CPU
    Intel i7 3630QM @ 2.4GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GeForce GT 650M
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    (none)
Newms34,

Please do the following, and let's find out some additional info...

Download the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
Select the version that applies to the system.

Save it to the Desktop.
  • Double-click the downloaded file to run it.
  • When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
  • Press the Scan button.
  • FRST64 makes a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory from which the tool is run (Desktop).
:ar: Please provide the FRST.txt in your reply. The first time the tool is run, it also makes another log: Addition.txt
:AR: Also post the Addition.txt in your reply. <<---


Also, download Farbar Service Scanner

Save to the Desktop
  • Make sure the following options are checked:
    • Internet Services
    • Windows Firewall
    • System Restore
    • Security Center
    • Windows Update
    • Windows Defender
  • Press: Scan
  • FSS creates a log, FSS.txt, on the Desktop.
:AR: Please provide the FSS.txt in your reply.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Home Premium 64-bit
Open the Action Center and it should be flagged there that its not activated and try to activate it there (a button should allow you to do so)

I've tried that. I get the following error:
"Windows Defender has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status".

Thats from within the Action Center??

What does the Action Center say under security as to what is protecting your machine?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Okay, I know you are all going to probably hate me for this, BUT... I downloaded the Farbar files as requested, but I've also installed Avast! antivirus in the meantime (because my computer was completely without antivirus protection). I know the #1 rule of thumb is "don't do anything unless we say so!", so I can see this as "yet another person not following directions". However, I'm just a little paranoid about leaving my computer unprotected. Should I uninstall Avast and leave my computer unprotected? And in case it's not clear, I WAS getting this problem before I installed avast, so that's not the issue. Thanks again!

EDIT:
Here's the logs.
 

Attachments

  • Addition.txt
    27.5 KB · Views: 232
  • FRST.txt
    40.8 KB · Views: 173
  • FSS.txt
    2.5 KB · Views: 145
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y500
    CPU
    Intel i7 3630QM @ 2.4GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GeForce GT 650M
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    (none)
...what rolls down stairs, alone or in pairs?
Log, log, log...none of which show that your problem is a malware issue.


Now that you have avast! running, Windows Defender will not run, even though you were getting this problem before installing avast!

Also, you had AVG previously installed, and it may be a factor as to why WD did not run.


If you decide to remove avast!, do the following to see if Windows Defender comes on board:

Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time.
At the Run prompt, type the following in the Open space, and press OK: services.msc

Look for Security Center (or Action Center), and Stop the service.

Restart the computer, go back to services.msc, and Start the Security Center service.

If you get a notice saying that Windows Defender is outdated, click to update it.

Defender should open, and you should be able to download and install the latest updates for it.

Go back to services.msc and make sure Windows Defender is set to Startup Type: Automatically, and the
Service Status: Started


Another point is that Windows Update is not running. Is that a preference set by you?
Windows Defender works with your Windows Update settings to automatically install the latest definitions...
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Home Premium 64-bit
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