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Lsass.exe-System error The endpoint format is invalid error message on an XP desktop

I was cleaning up temp files, uninstalling unneeded apps, etc. on an xp home machine today.  At one point, an uninstall wanted me to reboot, and when I went to shut down, windows wanted to install 11 updates.  I let it do that, it rebooted fine and went through several reboots / a couple hours of things going fine.  Now they say when they reboot, they get the windows splash screen, then a black desktop with no icons and no start bar.  they do get a pop up that says Lsass.exe-System error The endpoint format is invalid". The only button is an OK button.  Click that and the error returns.  Booting into safe mode does the same thing (black desktop, no icons, no startbar, and that error message repeatedly.

I found this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893712

but
a) it's not for xp and
b) we can't get to the desktop to change system memory settings.

any ideas?  A bad coincidence to me working on it?  This isn't patch tuesday - anyone know what 11 updates it wanted to apply at a restart?

thanks!
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Merete
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Hi if it is not for windowsxp which windows are we talking about?
To assist you i need this information.
can you get into the advanved options and choose last know good config that worked.
I cant suggest anything else without knowing which windows as accessing the boot.ini is different for each operating system, is this a desktop or laptop brand named eg DEL etc.
these also have differnet methods
The more details about the system such as is this on a LAN or any network the better
You maybe aware that  Lsass.exe can also be a trojan. It gives a message windows is shutting down in so many secs.
It reboots and then all kinds of things can happen, one being the desktop is gone.

You can run the task manager and then in the file  new task run" browse"  to navigate around.
What is running in the task manager? check the list of programs running.
Also in  file >new task run type in msconfig press enter check the boot.ini


 thanks.


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Techsupportwhiz

ASKER

sorry - I meant the knoledge base article wasn't for xp.  the machine I am having the problem with is xp

I can't get to task manager.  I will try last known good tomorrow (wed)

I can't get to run anything - no task bar, no icons.... just that warning message.

it's  a white box desktop going through linksys router to cable internet.
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Merete
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and the third of what I call three R's
Rebuild configuration thru recovery
  Boot from a Windows XP CD.

    2.       At the next screen press "R" to repair using the Recovery Console.

    3.       Press the number correlated with the Windows installation you want to fix. Typically this will be #1.

    4.       In the Administrator password press [ENTER] if you have not set a password for it.

    5.       Type bootcfg /list to see all the entries in the boot.ini file.

    You could get the message:

    “There are currently no boot entries available to display”

    6.       Type bootcfg /rebuild to fix it.

    You will be prompted to answer the question

    “Add installation to boot list (Yes/No/All)” press “Y”

    7.       Under “Enter Load Identifier:” type the name of your operating system (i.e. Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition).

    8.       For “Enter OS Load Options:” usually the value is “/fastdetect” (without quotation marks).

    9.       Take out the Windows XP CD and type exit.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22037109/isass-exe-the-end-point-format-is-invalid.html

I know you already looked at the KB Article, but I would try the reg value anyway. It has success on Windows XP as well.......If you can get to the task manager, then you should be able to File>Run>Regedit and modify it straight from there. For that matter, you can open the control panel/ Add remove programs , by control appwiz.cpl.