microsoft security essentials would not start

I had MSE on my wi n xp machine for months without problems. For some reason the program will not start. I have un installed and re-installed without success. After supposed installation if I go to start,then click on the ichon nothing happens!!.It is listed as installed in the control panel. Any ideas please.

Is your copy of XP validated?

Also what version of MSIE.

Some of its recent upgrades to new major versions are breaking. So a complete removal, and fresh download of new version are needed.

Of course it was validated. It was in use for months till now.

I cannot get it to start! so I do not know the version. It is the latest from Microsoft site. And I installed , re-installed several times run a scanner on my machine from Microsoft site found nothing. I shall have to re-install win xp as a last resort. When I first installed MSE, I removed the previous antivirus via a tool.

run a full scan with malwarebytes , when ive seen this on customers pcs its usualy caused by some spyware or virus

I run the malwarebytes. no success. the search said it found two objects which were removed, alas it did not make any difference.

Can you tell us the exact error why it will not start - check the event log and it will probably have a detailed error.

There were 11 event logs. Unfortunatly I could not open any of them. What is strange is that when I install the security essentials, it does not leave an ichon on the desktop. It is listed on the start button. When I attempt to click on it, nothing happens. Also when I click hard in frustration sometimes a red button appear on the taskbar which disappear when the mouse get near it. As I said before I installed the MSE ages ago (perhaps few years) without any problems till now. The last commercial security software I had was Mcafee. Perhaps there are few remnants of its file remain. I cannot find the Mcafee removal tool to try it again. I searched for it without success.

why could you not open the event logs? That is odd. However, I am fairly sure it will contain vital information needed to get to a solution to this problem.