Help with PC needed!

FreeRepublic ^ | TheRobb7

[TheRobb7]

First the setup: Computer is a Dell Dimension E521 running Windows Vista Home Premium.

My antivirus software is AVG free edition.

The other day, I ran the AV, using the "Rootkit scanner". The PC was acting slower than usual, even after a few complete scans.

The rootkit scan showed a file that was possibly malware. I chose to remove that file.

The AV then prompted me to restart for the change to take effect.

Now, Windows will not start. A black screen appears with this message:

"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem: 1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer. 2. Choose language settings and then click "next". 3. Click "repair your computer".

None of the above is possible because the PC won't talk to the disk drive, even after pressing F12 or F2 or F8 during restart...it's just a constant loop.

Any help ya'll can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :)

[raybbr]

We have 2 computers here running 7. I've got stuff that they can't run. Keep in mind that I am heavy into photography, lots of old software programs.

So am I. I use Paint Shop Pro and some other programs. They ALL run on 7.

[TomGuy]

Sandboxie is a neat program. I have used it for years.

However, several of the new releases of ‘free for home use’ anti-virus have built-in sandboxes, which create conflicts. I just recently had to backtrack from Avast! 6 to 5. Ver 6 has added a sandbox which interferes with Sandboxie, even when the Avast! sandbox is turned off. I just hope Avast! continues to support ver 5, because, between the two, I’ll toss out Avast before I’ll toss out Sandboxie.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Strictly speaking, if you’re seeing the “Windows Failed To Start” error, then the disk is talking to the computer. Your Bios knows nothing about Windows failing to start so it couldn’t raise that error. The Windows bootloader raises that error.

Besides, that’s not how Bios reports errors.

Do not follow any of the advice FReepers are giving along the lines of disconnecting various pieces of hardware to see if the computer will boot: it’s a waste of time, you obviously deleted a system file and need to replace it.

Since you have access to the internet, Google “Windows Vista Windows failed to start”

You will get solutions like:

1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart the computer.
2. Choose your language settings and click next.
3. Click “repair your computer”

These will likely work.

[rabidralph]

LOL!

[AppyPappy]

I’m dying to know which software won’t run under Windows 7

[wolficatZ]

Been there done that!

AVG is the WORST antivirus ever, it will delete windows system files that viruses attach to.

You need to boot off your Vista CD and see if you can recover a restore point, if possible, to avoid a reinstall.

If you have an internet connection on another computer, all the info you need to fix this is on the net.

Beware some of the “advice” you’ll get on threads like this, this thread alone I was shaking my head, knowing all the posters before me were WRONG.

Serious, I had this exact same thing happen to me on XP a few years ago..after restoring using my XP system disc, I uninstalled AVG as fast as I could and never used again.

Newer versions of AVG should warn you against deleting system files, but it might be easy to miss, but I’m not sure since I no long use or keep up with AVG.

[Cboldt]

-- There are some nasty viruses out there than can alter or wipe out the `head block' of a hard drive. If that virus did that, then your only alternative is to send it back to the factor to be restored. --

There are programs that will attempt to discover or "recreate" the header block, if it's been wiped out or altered. Its common use is to recover photos from corrupted memory cards, but they work on those spinning drives too. I managed to mangle a header (partition table), and got it back with just the little bit of sweat that comes with the "Oh crap" moment.

There is another set of programs marketed as "partition recovery tools," that likely have similar facilities.

I have a copy of SystemRescueCD on a CD, a DVD, and a thumb drive (so one or another will boot from most any hardware); the tool on that that does the job is called "testdisk" See http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk for a description of use.

[TheRobb7]

I held down the DELETE key when restarting, and it
took me to “Windows Boot Manager”. It only gives
me one choice for an operating system to start: Microsoft Windows Vista.

There is also a Windows Memory Diagnostic option there.
I ran that, but PC still will not boot properly.

I’m still trying to figure out how to reach the BIOS screen.

Any other suggestions? Thank you :)

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I can make them run with what are called "workarounds" but at reduced function. Most people just print a picture but when you get serious you need to match your monitor and your printer. You are trying for consistent, repeatable output. If the OS won't run the original drivers it is useless to me.

Moving from XP to Vista was a major hassle, I'm not ready for a repeat.

[TomGuy]

I did have problems with AVG slowing down everything on mine. Got Avast! now and everything is fine.

I have used, and had to drop, many such programs because, over time, they grow into glutware that causes conflicts and slows the pc to a crawl.

Zonealarm firewall -- grew into glutware and caused conflicts.
Comodo firewall -- ditto [I use an old version which works without conflicts].
McAfee -- became glutware and caused sluggish system.
Trend Micro -- ditto.
AVG -- ditto.
Avast -- good thru 5, but 6 causes conflict with my Sandboxie. Will keep 5 until they quit supporting it, then I'll try to find another anti-virus program.

I cringe every time I see 'upgrade' or 'new and improved update' and wonder what conflicts it will cause.

[The_Victor]

I’m still trying to figure out how to reach the BIOS screen.

Any other suggestions? Thank you :)

Open up the computer, disconnect the harddrive and reboot, and see if it allows you into the BIOS screen.

[Prospero]

It's a good thing you kept the operating system disk.

Keep it in the disk drive. Depending on the BIOS "firmware" on your system, the boot-up instructions stored on your computer's motherboard, you should have a brief moment available at power-up (from power-off, complete restart) to hit F2 or F8 to access the boot instructions. Once you've accessed that menu, there's usually a set of keyboard commands that will toggle you through a brief set of at least one or two menus which will allow you to amend the instructions telling the machine, basically, "what to do with itself" on start-up.

Does it boot from a floppy drive "A" - does it look for the operating system on the hard drive "C" first. Is the CD or DVD drive, usually "D," even available? If so, you should have the ability to amend that set of instructions to place the CD at the head of the line, meaning you want the motherboard to look for the CD first, or exclusively.

If you succeed there, you might be able to choose a repair or last successful start-up.

You may need to repair since the last successful start-up depended on an environment on the hard-drive that no longer exists.

Hopefully you won't find it necessary to do a complete install, meaning a format and the loss of all personally proprietary files stored exclusively on that drive.

There are whole branches of options for getting back up beyond these basics, and I haven't had my first cup of coffee yet.

I should add that there is, or was, a basic MSDOS program that ties the boot-up program back to the CD drive if it turns out, after trying some of this, that the CD drive is currently invisible to the motherboard.

Since you have alternate access to the Internet, if it comes to that, you will find a lot of advice out in "the wild" on the finer points of the getting through the situation you're in.

One more tip. When AVG, or any anti-virus program identifies a suspicious file, do a quick search online of the file name to be sure you won't delete a critical file. It's possible the file was substituted with malware with the same name, and I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be that little DOS program that links the motherboard with the CD drive. Less a problem in machines produced less than a few years old.

As to the endless, tiresome PC v MAC fashion war that's been going on nearly as long (1982) as the federal Wars on Poverty (1965) and on (some) Drugs (1971), I've got a 1983 Apple something-or-other I use for a door stop, the same one I saw on display at the Smithsonian, four years ago.

I have nothing against Apple, mind you, but don't let anyone fool you into thinking there isn't malware and viral problems with "MAC's" name on it, "in the wild." There always has been, and it's becoming an increasing problem, perhaps because the anarchist element that has so much free time to develop these cyber-grenades is largely fueled by envy, and rationalized hatred of success. All the architectures have devoted enemies looking for scapegoats to excuse them from working beyond their own personal failure.

[TomGuy]

lots of old software programs.

When I upgraded from W98 to XP, most of my peripherals wouldn't run and had to be replaced. And, I use some old programs (DOS and early Windows) that are must-haves and do not have updated or comparable replacements.

I have delayed going with Win7 for that reason. It seems that Win 7 Pro has an XP mode, which I have been considering. But since it would be for home use and mostly Internet surfing any more, I can't justify the cost of investing in a new machine -- yet.

[FlyingEagle]

Yes, something similar happened to me. Shut down the computer, insert the original Windows VistaCrap Operating System CD, and start the computer. It should let you reinstall the VistaCrap OS from there, without deleting your files. Then make a backup of all your docs, photos, music etc and go buy Windows 7. The Dell runs Windows 7 just fine. But, the Windows 7 install will want to wipe your hard drive. Even though the box will say you can keep your files/data, you cannot. Be sure to make a backup of tax and critical files all the time so you do not risk those if system melts down. Anyway thats my experience with Windows VistaCrap.

[FreeMaine]

Maybe he can’t use a Mac because he’s a heterosexual.

Now that is funny. Thanks.

[FreeMaine]

Can you go into safe mode and go to a restore point before thescan date?

[flintsilver7]

I agree with MA here. Rootkits are notoriously difficult to detect, and the false positive rate is extraordinarily high. In removing the “rootkit,” you probably crippled the operating system. If you have the Vista disc, all you need to do is boot it up (recall you can boot from a CD/DVD) and repair your current installation.

[flintsilver7]

I should also note that my solution requires you to be able to get into the BIOS and ensure that you can in fact boot from your optical drive.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

It would cost me 1500 bucks to replace my photo edit software. I've got a program and hardware to color match my monitor, it's stuff the average business user doesn’t need but vital to me.

[TheRobb7]

Can’t do that. Windows won’t load.