One day I turned on my notebook (compaq presario 2100 with Windows XP Home Edition) and right before the welcome screen came up, a box appeared saying, "lsass.exe - system error Object Name not found." When I clicked 'OK' or x'd out, it would restart, only to face the same problem.

I tried 'safe mode' and 'last known good configueration' but the same problem all the same.

I would appreciate it SO MUCH if you would help me (trying to make this free for me) I'm desperate to get on my notebook again, I can't do anything on it!

Hi there and welcome to PCHF

lsass.exe can be related to either;

1) the local security authentication service
2) A virus

Let's assume that the problem you are having is related to "1". Can you tell us if you have changed anything recently on the laptop. For instance, this error can be caused by removing a portion of Lavasoft's AdAware: http://www.lavasofthelp.com/articles/v6/04/06/0901.html

Sorry, but I don't have my Windows XP disc, which is what that link says to use. And no, I don't think changed anything on my laptop, unless downloading something counts as that... and try not to get anything about *after* you log on, as that is what most sites say, but my notebook won't do that.

Thanks for you time!

If you can't get hold of an XP Disk, you could download the file "lsass.exe" and save it to floppy or CD. When you boot up next, tap F8 and start from command prompt. Use the command; expand d:\i386\lsass.ex_ c:\windows\system32\lsass.exe (subtracting d: for a: if you used floppy) and reboot again. It should restore your file, allowing you back into windows.

Hope this helps!

ummm... sorry, I'm sure that will help, but how do I get lsass.exe onto a cd? Sorry, I never did stuff like this before...

I'd say it was better using a floppy for this, seeing as it's such a small file. Providing you can find it, and are able to download it, it's just a case of saving it to your a: when you have a floppy in.

Could you find a place to download lsass.exe? I can't find a place to do that... or am i supposed to do something else?