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
    2012-07-02T04:07:12+00:00

    I tried various fixes that just wouldn't work from various sources... creating .cmd files from .txt files, reboot in safe mode, ... for months. The whole issue starts when you try to beat the Microsoft UAC system. If you take control of your folders you loose control of this RtBackup folder and Windows may or may not let you make changes at that point. Just follow the directions below and it should fix it.

    Here's the simple answer that worked for me:

    1. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\RtBackup
    2. Right-click on RtBackup and select Properties > Security
    3. In the list of “Group or user names” is “SYSTEM” listed?
    4. If not, click Edit > Add . . . and type in “SYSTEM” in the dialog box and click OK.
    5. Restart your computer

    Yep, I also got "access denied no matter what kind of safe mode I booted in, and this worked for me. Happy camper now.

    One guess: this must've started after I switched from comcast to at&t and whatever the installer did ( I wasn't at home) messed up event log.

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  2. Ramesh 181.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2012-06-06T14:30:17+00:00

    The fix was a little tougher in my case.   I tried all the fixes above, but eventually had to:

    1. Boot in Safe Mode.
    2. Open Windows Explorer.
    3. Go to .\WMI folder.
    4. Right click, "Properties, Security".
    5. Added myself as a user.  (Note: I was already an Admin, so I don't know why this was necessary).
    6. Turned on all rights and saved it.
    7. Ran .\System32\cmd.exe as Administrator.
    8. Removed attributes from *.etl files, as shown in other posts above.
    9. Back in Windows Explorer, I was finally able to rename the RtBackup to RtBackup2.

    What a pain.

     

    I reset the SafeMode using msconfig, and rebooted.

     

    Now SQL Server Agent works, my Maintenance Plans work, and all due to this fix.

    Thanks for the update, johnbaerg. Hope this additional information helps others.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-06-06T12:35:48+00:00

    I cannot believe how many problems are solved with this fix.   Thanks so much Ramesh.

    My SQL Server Agent wouldn't start.   I tracked it down to the Event Log service not starting, which led me to your post.

    The fix was a little tougher in my case.   I tried all the fixes above, but eventually had to:

    1. Boot in Safe Mode.
    2. Open Windows Explorer.
    3. Go to .\WMI folder.
    4. Right click, "Properties, Security".
    5. Added myself as a user.  (Note: I was already an Admin, so I don't know why this was necessary).
    6. Turned on all rights and saved it.
    7. Ran .\System32\cmd.exe as Administrator.
    8. Removed attributes from *.etl files, as shown in other posts above.
    9. Back in Windows Explorer, I was finally able to rename the RtBackup to RtBackup2.

    What a pain.

    I reset the SafeMode using msconfig, and rebooted.

    Now SQL Server Agent works, my Maintenance Plans work, and all due to this fix.

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