University Computer Help Desk

Error 1920: "Service mcshield (mcshield) failed to start" after installing McAfee VirusScan 8.5i

Resolve McAfee VirusScan Error 1920 by renaming a mcshield DLL file before your computer restarts.

After installing McAfee VirusScan 8.5i and restarting your computer, you receive the following error message: "Error 1920: Service mcshield (mcshield) failed to start."

To resolve this issue, you must rename a DLL file used by the mcshield service before you restart your computer.

  1. Launch the McAfee VirusScan 8.5i installer to begin installation.
  2. Proceed with the installation until you see the message, “McAfee VirusScan Enterprise setup has completed successfully.".
  3. Remove the check marks from Update Now and Run On-Demand Scan.
  4. Click Finish.
  5. If you are prompted to restart your computer, click No. Do not restart your computer.
  6. To open the Task Manager, do one of the following:
    • Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE. You may need to click Task Manager.
    • Right-click an empty area of the taskbar, and then click Task Manager.
  7. Click the Processes tab.
  8. Click on the column named Image Name to sort the list alphabetically.
  9. Select vstskmgr.exe and then click End Process.
  10. Close the Task Manager.
  11. Do one of the following:
    • In Windows XP, click Start > My Computer.
    • In Windows Vista, click Start > Computer.
  12. Double-click Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > McAfee > VirusScan Enterprise.
  13. Right-click on the file named adslokuu.dll and select Rename from the pop-up menu.
  14. Rename the file adslokuu.old.
  15. Restart the computer.
  16. After your computer restarts, update McAfee VirusScan so it has the latest virus definitions. Refer to 1090: Updating McAfee VirusScan virus definitions (DAT).