Constant 0x0000142 Probs - with all applications

I recently had a connection prob, either at the cabinet or the exchange

Somehow (no idea how it's related) I also started getting problems almost every time I try to start any application:

0x0000142 The Application failed to initialize properly. Click Ok To terminate Application

I may have to start whatever it is a dozen times before it's allowed to start

This isn't limited to any one thing and I can't see why my connection probs should cause this...but since they started at the exact same time, I don't see how they can't be related

Any help appreciated

I've read that I should be trying an sfc /scannow to sort it; I'm having probs doing that and wonder anyway why a system that was running along fine should suddenly have this prob

I've also read it's to do with the 'new' Advance Program controls in ZoneAlarm; I've edited the Program Control for Windows Explorer to permit Application Interaction in Options, but don't understand this and it doesn't seem to have sorted the prob anyway....

I should also mention there's nothing very useful in the Event Viewer:

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Application Popup
Event Category: None
Event ID: 26
Date: 31/10/09
Time: 02:19:28
User: N/A
Computer: XXXXXXX
Description:
Application popup: Opera.exe - Application Error : The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000142). Click on OK to terminate the application.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at xxxx

This is the same for any Application I try to start

Thank you

Are you getting any errors on startup ? What problems are you getting when you try to run the system file checker ?

What version of Windows are you running ?

Turns out it's ZA got corrupted; Thanks for your reply

Glad you got it sorted out.

Hi Trick, i have got exacly the same problem as you described some years ago. What is ZA? and how do i get rid of the problem? All applications that i can download on the internet will just crash due this issue.. plz help

ZA = ZoneAlarm Firewall

I can't remember this problem at all, just got notification of your question here via email...

ZA I always used to find a good product, but at the time caused me a minor problem. Later on, I stopped using it as it was racing and using heavy amounts of CPU when I was downloading

I now use the Firewall Component of Comodo Internet Security (this is a package that includes Firewall & AntiVirus, though I'm using another AV, so didn't install that part of the package)

This is excellent; efficient, light on resources, simple but flexible and free!