Hi I am getting this message when I try to start my machine "lsass.exe - System error Security Accounts Manager initialization failed b/c the Handle is invalid. 0x00000008. Boot into Safe Mode to view log" When I try to boot to safe mode, I get the same message....so I'm stuck in this loop that I can't get out of. Everything seemed to be going fine before this happened...I didn't add any hardware or software...everything seemed normal. Thanks for any responses! Homer

Interesting reading here>> The lsass.exe file is a pretty important part of your Windows operating system. LSASS stands for Local Security Authority Subsystem Service and it is mainly used to help Windows manage security and logins. It can usually be found in the C:/windows/system32 or C:/winnt/system32 folder, depending on which version of Windows you use on your computer. Should you get rid of it? No, you shouldn't delete the lsass file, because it is really there to help your system stay secure. In fact, if you try to end the lsass task (like you would end any other program), your task manager won't even let you go that far. Now, with that being said, if your system often crashes with the lsass.exe file being involved, it could mean there is a virus or spyware infection on your system. There was actually a big thing about this in 2004 (which you of course don't have to worry about now) with a virus called Sasser. People started hearing that this virus was related to the lsass file and when they saw it in their task manager, they figured they were infected. This wasn't always the case though, so there was somewhat of a big debate over it a couple of years ago. Even today, it is possible that a virus could be affiliated with lsass, but as of now, it is unlikely. But, just keep in mind that there have been reports of it before. Obviously, the best way to be certain that your system is clear of any of these infections is to consistently run your antivirus and anti-spyware scans. If you don't already have some sort of protective software on your computer, you should really think about getting one. If you let it go, you never know what you could be vulnerable to. It could even end up being something worse than an lsass.exe bug.

homer, do you have antivirus software installed and is it up-to-date? If you do have anti-virus software, did you make some sort of emergency startup disk that the antivirus program uses to start the computer and scan for viruses? If so, use that. Post back when you get a chance.

Additional information can be found by googling. Here's one site's very helpful information: ""lsass.exe" is the Local Security Authentication Server. It verifies the validity of user logons to your PC/Server. It generates the process responsible for authenticating users for the Winlogon service. This process is performed by using authentication packages such as the default Msgina.dll. If authentication is successful, Lsass generates the user's access token, which is used to launch the initial shell. Other processes that the user initiates inherit this token. More info Note: The lsass.exe file is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32. In other cases, lsass.exe is a virus, spyware, trojan or worm! Check this with Security Task Manager. Virus with same name: W32.Nimos.Worm - Symantec Corporation W32.Sasser.E.Worm (Lsasss.exe) - McAfee W32.HLLW.Lovgate.C@mm - Symantec Corporation" This information is from http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/p... . I recommend going there and reading what everyone has posted about lsass. Note while you read the difference between lsass and isass.

Hi. I hav a similar error message: "lsass.exe - System Error. The endpoint format is invalid." I cannot start in Safe Mode, pressing F8 has no effect, it just carries on going almost to the end of Windows XP Home login, then stops with this message. I attached the drive as a slave to another computer and ran the Microsoft Vicious Tool Remover - it found nothing. Suggestions, anyone? Thanks, Alison

Alison, the link I provided to the neuber website has a lot of input. Can you boot with an emergency startup disk?