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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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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
    2011-07-23T01:42:21+00:00

    thank u Ramesh 

    i was having the same problem

    what a great idea

    thanks a lot

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-04-25T13:21:19+00:00

    You only need to change the folder permission for Administrator group to full control and windows log will work again, no need to rename the folder.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-04-06T09:57:55+00:00

    YES! it worked for me too. The only problem I had was "access denied" in safe mode (cmd prompt) when trying to do the rename. I eventually found (in my case anyway) that I could reach the RtBackup folder in windows explorer and remove the attributes - then reboot to safe mode with cmd prompt and do the rename. Could not do the rename in windows - not surprisingly. Actually, I was surprised that I could remove the attributes in Windows 7 [64 bit] .. 6th April 2011

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