NSI Svc Failed to read desc Error code 1812

Here in a College Computer Help Center, we have a student's computer - Dell
with Vista Home Basic - that was once on our network, now gets the dread
"unidentified network" - several services have been stopped, and trying to
start them give the error "the dependency service or group failed to start."
We have identified the service NSI has the error as noted in the subject
line. How does one reload a service?

Here is what we have done with no positive result:
"Diagnose and Repair"
Reset tcpip
Repair Windows
Removed firewalls
Removed anti virus
Ran (in the process of running) Ad Aware and Spybot

Now what? Help anyone?


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IT Services Help Center