Err Msg: Protected Storage Failed to Start

[Happo]

In the Event Viewer I see lots of big red crosses in short periods. About 30 in ten minutes, then none for a few more hours, repeatedly over the past few days. error -

Event ID: 7000
Source: Service Control Manager
Type: Error
Category: None
The Protected Storage service failed to start due to the following
error: The system cannot find the path specified.

Using services.msc I get the same msg if I try to start the service. It is set to Automatic. Dependencies - RPC which is Automatic also (this svc has started though).
I have googled but only found a very old ms kb article which does not relate to this -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;189649

Any ideas are appreciated as always...

Cheers,
Daniel.

 

[bcastner]

Run IEFix and checkmark both boxes in the Options panel:

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFIX.htm

Your issue is troublesome, and if the sfc /Scannow forced by IEFix does not resolve the issue I think a repair reinstall of XP would be a good idea:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341