BleepingComputer.com: Windows Security Center

Let's try to reset the Repository from Safe Mode.

It may help to copy/paste these instructions to Notepad so you can view them in Safe Mode if needed.

To boot into Safe Mode:
Restart your computer.
When the computer starts, immediately start to gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with the Windows Vista Advanced Boot Options.
Select the Safe Mode option using the arrow keys and press Enter on your keyboard.
When Windows starts you will be at a typical logon screen. Logon to your computer with your Administrator Account and Vista will enter Safe mode.

NOTE: In Safe Mode the operating system only loads the bare minimum of software and drivers so your programs may look different than normal.



From Safe Mode:
1/ Click Start.

2/ In the Search field, type: CMD, then in the Search Results, RIGHT-click on the CMD (or COMMAND) and select Run as Administrator (a black DOS window should appear)

3/ In this window, type: cd\ and press Enter.

4/ Type: net stop winmgmt
Press Enter
Type: Y

5/ Type: cd %windir%\system32\wbem
Press Enter

6/ Type: ren repository repository.old
Press Enter

7/ Type: net start winmgmt
Press Enter

8/ Type Exit.

9/ Reboot.


Log in as usual and check to see if Windows Security Center now displays the correct information.

Hello RedDawn

I have a question about the instuctions you gave me to try. I tried them and I got access denied. I printe out a copy of of your post so I could follow exactly the directions you had given. Here is a copy of your post with my questions and comments included I will underline my parts.:

Let's try to reset the Repository from Safe Mode.

It may help to copy/paste these instructions to Notepad so you can view them in Safe Mode if needed.

To boot into Safe Mode:
Restart your computer.
When the computer starts, immediately start to gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with the Windows Vista Advanced Boot Options.
Select the Safe Mode option using the arrow keys and press Enter on your keyboard.
When Windows starts you will be at a typical logon screen. Logon to your computer with your Administrator Account and Vista will enter Safe mode.

NOTE: In Safe Mode the operating system only loads the bare minimum of software and drivers so your programs may look different than normal.



From Safe Mode:
1/ Click Start.

2/ In the Search field, type: CMD, then in the Search Results, RIGHT-click on the CMD (or COMMAND) and select Run as Administrator (a black DOS window should appear)

3/ In this window, type: cd\ and press Enter.

4/ Type: net stop winmgmt
Press Enter
Type: Y (Here is where I have my question. I did not have anywhere or have any question asked of me to answer a Y or a N to. All it said was that the Windows Management was stopping. Then that Windows Management was stopped. There was no other question or anything after that. it just went back to the command prompt.)

5/ Type: cd %windir%\system32\wbem
Press Enter

6/ Type: ren repository repository.old
Press Enter (Here is where I got "Access is denied" when I tried to rename the repository repository.old)

7/ Type: net start winmgmt
Press Enter ( When I could not rename the repository repository.old, I went to this step. When I typed in the exact same things, it told me that Windows Management was already started.)

8/ Type Exit.

9/ Reboot.


Log in as usual and check to see if Windows Security Center now displays the correct information.

I hope I followed the directions properly? Now, that it still will not let me change it or correct it, what should I do next? I remember someone saying McAfee might be preventing me from making the changes. Or could it be something else?

Hi Groffeaston,

I'm not sure why you seem to be having so much trouble trying to reset the repository. The only other thing I can suggest is, as Exile360 mentioned earlier, to reinstall McAfee, instructions HERE. Although, this seems like a lot of bother to go to when you are sure McAfee is working correctly and as DJBPace07 originally mentioned, you can set Windows Security Center to stop alerting you.

Firstly though, I would contact McAfee Customer Support, they offer Free Live Internet Chat and Free Email Support, see HERE.

This post has been edited by RedDawn: 16 December 2008 - 12:27 PM

You could also try this: http://my.opera.com/rejzor/blog/security-c...et-1-0-released I've used it before and it is safe. Just be sure to read the instructions (part of which requires you to uninstall your security software and reinstall it).

Hello everyone again!

I contacted Dell to see what they had to say and if they could help solve this problem. Well what they had me do was exactly what RedDawn said to do, Rename the repository file. But the only difference was This time I was able to do it. Why? I had to restart in safe mode, But with networking. I renamed it Repository.old like RedDawn said. Did not solve problem. I then Deleted the repository like RedDawn had suggested. I was able to delete the repository file. Did not solve problem. So then I was waiting for a call back from Dell, but did not receive it. Maybe they will send email instead.

I was told by Dell "that this is a very common problem with Vista". Maybe I will just have the Security center not monitor those areas. I hate to do that but when it is not working properly and cannot fix it, what else can you do.

It was working fine up to and including December 6,2008. After I had to stop 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1) from downloading at about 73% completed on December 6, 2008. That is when, Windows Security Center stopped recognizing the McAfee firewall in McAfee's Security Suite and all of the other Anit-Malware/Anti-Spyware programs on my computer, when I started my computer back up later that day.

I do not feel like uninstalling McAfee and/or all of the other anit-malware/anti-spyware prorgams and then reinstalling them.

Understandable, uninstalling and reinstalling all that stuff can be a pain. Just make sure you keep everything patched and up to date and you should be fine. Good luck and safe surfing.