"Event ID: 7000" Error Message When ASCTRM Service Does Not Start (817194)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

On a computer that is running Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP, when you install or remove RealNetworks RealPlayer 8, or when you install or remove a program that installs RealPlayer 8 (for example, Netscape Navigator), the following event ID message is logged in the event log:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7000
Date: DD.MM.YYYY
Time: HH:MM:SS
User: N/A
Computer: computer_name
Description: The ASCTRM service failed to start due to the following error:
The specified driver is invalid.

For more information, visit Help and Support Services at
http://search.support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you try to install or remove RealPlayer 8, but the process fails. If the %systemroot%\System32\Drivers\Asctrm.sys driver file is removed, but the corresponding registry keys are not removed, the system tries to start the driver and does not find it. You then experience the problem that is described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. To resolve the problem, do one of the following:
  • Reinstall RealPlayer 8 (and then remove it if you want to).
  • Manually remove the registry key that associated with Asctrm.sys. To do so:
    1. Click Start, and then click Run.
    2. In the Run dialog box, type regedit, and then click OK.
    3. Locate, and then click the following key:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ASCTRM

    4. On the File menu, click Export.
    5. In the File name box, type ASCTRM Backup, and then click Save.
    6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion.
    7. On the File menu, click Exit, and then restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products. For information about how to contact RealNetworks, Inc., click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

REFERENCES

For additional information about Event ID: 7000, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

314357 "Event ID: 7000" or "Event ID: 7013" Error Message When You Attempt to Start a Service

For additional information about how to edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/17/2006
Keywords:kbRegistry kbEvent kbprb kberrmsg KB817194 kbAudEndUser
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