Cannot start windows event log service on Windows 7. Error 4201.__

Anonymous
2009-11-15T05:12:47+00:00

Cannot start the Windows Event Log service on Local Computer.  Error 4201: The instance name passed was not recognized as valid by a WMI data provider.

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Anonymous
2009-11-15T15:54:26+00:00

Hi Ramesh,

That did the trick.  For the record:

  1. Used msconfig to switch to safe mode boot
  2. Booted to safe mode
  3. ran cmd.exe as an administrator
  4. typed "cd C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI"
  5. typed "rename RtBackup RtBackup2"
  6. Used msconfig to switch to normal boot mode
  7. Reboot and found event viewer working

Thank you! 

Rung

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Ramesh 181.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2009-11-15T06:53:44+00:00

Hi rung_windows7,

Renaming or deleting the following folder seems to work for some users:

C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\RtBackup

REF: Event log error 4201 - ERROR_WMI_INSTANCE_NOT_FOUND (a helluva great thread)

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Desktop Experience]

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-01-20T04:46:14+00:00

    Funcionó realmente. Muchas gracias por su ayuda, tenia el mismo problema.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-26T13:11:37+00:00

    Cannot start the Windows Event Log service on Local Computer.  Error 4201: The instance name passed was not recognized as valid by a WMI data provider.

    Those answers to my problem could possibly work however there is a requirement to run a disk containing security settings on our machines.

    The disk was made I think for Win XP so the settings created some problems on the Win7 machines a new disk was created and this problem was fixed.

    Thanks for your suggestions and help.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-07T16:10:07+00:00

    @terisgoingcrazy

    Hi - sorry, read your post right now. So the only thing i have done was:

    1. start regedit on machine where eventlog works
    2. navigate to the different registry paths
    3. right klick each and select export, save the files as "selected subtree" anywhere on your hdd as .reg file
    4. put in on an usb stick or somewhere else
    5. start the machine where eventlog is not working and double klick each .reg file to import in current registry
    6. restart the machine, eventlog should work now as expected

    that's all

    until now, had no issues on my target machine

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