0xc0000142??

are you running zonealarm by chance ??

http://forums.devshed.com/windows-help-34/constant-0x00...

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.


found some more in this search -
 fficial&client=firefox-a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/search?q=0x0000142&ie=utf-8&oe=ut...

You can solve it by pressing F8 and logging in the Vista under Safe Mode, then go to control panel->user account->turn off the User Account Control, restart the system and login again under Normal Mode.

Best regards,
Numen