Any VM Fails to Start

[tezetes]

After I create a virtual machine in VirtualBox 4.3.22-98236 and run it, it fails to start. Apparently this problem is caused by an Update from Windows, but I haven't installed any updates since installing my host OS.

Here's the error: (see attached image)

Here is the part of the log that appears to be the issue (couldn't attach whole log - too large apparently) (EDIT: vzmgA3s0 on pastebin)

The problem appears to be the following:

Code: Select all

1d34.1eec: Error (rc=0):
1d34.1eec: supR3HardenedScreenImage/LdrLoadDll: cached rc=Unknown Status -22900 (0xffffa68c) fImage=1 fProtect=0x0 fAccess=0x0 cHits=3 \Device\HarddiskVolume2\Windows\System32\shell32.dll
1d34.1eec: Fatal error:
1d34.1eec: supR3HardenedDllNotificationCallback: supR3HardenedScreenImage failed on 'C:\Windows\system32\SHELL32.dll' / '\??\C:\Windows\system32\SHELL32.dll': 0xc0000190
21a4.ad8: supR3HardNtChildWaitFor[2]: Quitting: ExitCode=0x1 (rcNtWait=0x0, rcNt1=0x0, rcNt2=0x103, rcNt3=0x103, 2805 ms, the end);
164c.1f60: supR3HardNtChildWaitFor[1]: Quitting: ExitCode=0x1 (rcNtWait=0x0, rcNt1=0x0, rcNt2=0x103, rcNt3=0x103, 3435 ms, the end);

It's to do with shell32.dll, and I do believe that file is modified by both - QTTabBar and Classic Shell - not sure if those are causing the issue.

Any help or suggestions are welcome and appreciated

[mpack]

Partial logs are not very useful - please provide the complete log as a zipped attachment. And provide details of your host OS too: "XP Pro 32bit" is precise. "Windows" is ambiguous.

[tezetes]

Fair enough, I've attached a zipped version of the startup log now, it was small enough to do so.
Some more information about host: Windows 7 Home Premium x64, VirtualBox version 4.3.22 r98236

[mpack]

Apparently this problem is caused by an Update from Windows, but I haven't installed any updates since installing my host OS.

If you are referring to the KB3004394 fiasco, as far as we know that only ever applied to Win7-32bit hosts, which is why I needed a more precise host ID from you.

Since you have a 64bit host that should not apply... which makes it all the more odd that you do seem to be showing the symptoms. Can you show me some evidence for your host OS being 64bit? Like a snapshot of the "My Computer|Properties" tab from Windows, or the log file (not the startup log) from any working VM?

When you say you haven't installed updates, you are aware that windows updates itself automatically unless the feature is disabled, right? Or you don't have a network connection.

[tezetes]

Yes, I'm certain I'm running a 64bit (x64) version of Windows 7 Home Premium. And of course I have disabled updates just after installing it.
And yes, I was referring to that certain update. Still, it seems to me that either Classic Shell or QTTabBar might be the issue, is that possible?

Oh, and thank you for not leaving me alone with this, I appreciate it

[mpack]

The fact that you can't see the bad update listed doesn't mean it hasn't done its damage. You might want to read the following article and see if installing the fix does anything for you.

http://www.infoworld.com/article/285926 ... 4fe21.html

[tezetes]

I did download the fix from that article, and from microsoft's website. The 64-bit version. Very small file, 27KB. Unfortunately, when I run it (as admin) the process runs in background and disappears after~4 seconds doing nothing. I also did try to download the fix from Windows Update, it's not on the list.

A broken fix for a broken update...

[David0088]

Just because the fix runs silently, doesn't mean it didn't install. You'll have to see whether the original update disappeared in the update list. Sorry, I don't remember how to do that.

[bpw22]

Hello i am having the same problems but i am running 8.1. It did work but for some reason it's not working.

[tezetes]

Just because the fix runs silently, doesn't mean it didn't install. You'll have to see whether the original update disappeared in the update list. Sorry, I don't remember how to do that.

It wasn't there in the first place, I have no way of checking. Tried the fix, still no luck, same error.

It appears to me that "supR3HardenedScreenImage" whatever that might be, is having trouble loading shell32.dll. I'm not sure, but I do believe that both - QTTabBar and Classic Shell do modify this file in some way.

[mpack]

shell32.dll is part of the OS (desktop shell API), as is kernel32.dll (NT kernel). This implies that the host OS itself is failing host OS certification checks - which was the symptom of the failed update. It's possible that there are other ways to corrupt the certificates database.

[tezetes]

I am definitely not re-installing windows over this, if there isn't a way to fix it. Not worth it, especially if it means giving up on the functionality of the two programs I've metioned.
It's a shame, really. Would an older version of virtualbox possibly not care about security & certificates that much? or am I going to have to switch to another OS virtualization software?

[mpack]

4.3.12 is the last version that doesn't do the hardening checks.

[tezetes]

That worked, thanks mpack

[eerien]

I suffered same problem. 4.3.12 is worked. Thank you mpack!

How can I make be ok the host OS certifications by my self to solve the root problem?