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. Ramesh 181.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2010-07-02T04:40:41+00:00

    Thanks a lot Ramesh !

    It helped me with the same problem on Win 7 Ultimate!

    I can't beleive that several services did not start because of some folder with logfiles!

    Glad that helped, Nastasya. Thanks for the update!

    Ramesh Srinivasan | The Winhelponline Blog

    Microsoft MVP, Windows Desktop Experience

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-07-01T13:11:34+00:00

    Thanks a lot Ramesh !

    It helped me with the same problem on Win 7 Ultimate!

    I can't beleive that several services did not start because of some folder with logfiles!

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-06-24T11:08:05+00:00

    Thanks Ramesh,

    That did the job on my Windows 7 Pro system.

    regards,

    DJ

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