Vista repair options?
Dell Vostro, running Vista Home Premium SP2.
Trouble started when trying to remove a rootkit with Hitman Pro & ever since then, I cannot get it to boot in anything other than safe mode.
When booting normally, it will get to the point where I can click on username & it reboots.
I have tied startup repair & it says it finds nothing wrong.
I have tried system restore, to about 5 different restore points & still the same.
Accessed the HD from another maching, ran chkdsk - it said it found & repaired several problems, but still the same problem.
I was hoping to do a repair install, like you could do in XP, but most of the things I read suggeat that you have to boot normally into Vista & it runs like an inplace upgrade, but won't run in safe mode!
Other than smashing this thing with a hammer, I am open to suggestions!
Trouble started when trying to remove a rootkit with Hitman Pro & ever since then, I cannot get it to boot in anything other than safe mode.
When booting normally, it will get to the point where I can click on username & it reboots.
I have tied startup repair & it says it finds nothing wrong.
I have tried system restore, to about 5 different restore points & still the same.
Accessed the HD from another maching, ran chkdsk - it said it found & repaired several problems, but still the same problem.
I was hoping to do a repair install, like you could do in XP, but most of the things I read suggeat that you have to boot normally into Vista & it runs like an inplace upgrade, but won't run in safe mode!
Other than smashing this thing with a hammer, I am open to suggestions!
Backup your data and do a "Restore to Factory Settings".
That will wipe the drive and reinstall the OS as it was when it was brand new.
Then copy your data back.
You also might want to consider upgrading to Windows 7 or 8.
That will wipe the drive and reinstall the OS as it was when it was brand new.
Then copy your data back.
You also might want to consider upgrading to Windows 7 or 8.
You can also try and run the software Combofix, because other than searching and removing spyware, it can also fix numerous issues within Windows that were caused by spyware and its removal. It certainly is worth a try, especially since you can run it in Safe Mode.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix
ASKER
EMJSR - I'm getting the reply;
could not find c:\windows\winsxs\pending.
Will try combofix, too.
ScottCha - the reason I am here asking this, is that is really my last option & wanted to try other solutions first & yes, windows 7 is on the horizon. As far as Win 8 - didn't we learn anything from ME & Vista? I think I'll wait for Windows 9, ha-ha!
could not find c:\windows\winsxs\pending.
Will try combofix, too.
ScottCha - the reason I am here asking this, is that is really my last option & wanted to try other solutions first & yes, windows 7 is on the horizon. As far as Win 8 - didn't we learn anything from ME & Vista? I think I'll wait for Windows 9, ha-ha!
The only reason I suggested Windows 7 was because you mentioned a hammer. :-)
Also before I suggested Win7 I did suggest a "Restore to new condition".
What what we learned from ME and Vista was "Never use even numbered installs of Windows".
Also before I suggested Win7 I did suggest a "Restore to new condition".
What what we learned from ME and Vista was "Never use even numbered installs of Windows".
ASKER
One other fly in the ointment about the restore to original settings is I'm betting sis isn't gonna have a clue where all her disks are!
Running SFC /scannow at a command prompt saved my Vista machine from a similar situation.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
Actually, if you can boot into safe mode, the more likely cause of your trouble is a bad user profile. Lots of articles like this one address that problem.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/software/3220675/how-to-fix-a-corrupt-user-profile-in-windows-vista/
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/software/3220675/how-to-fix-a-corrupt-user-profile-in-windows-vista/
Some machines have the restore partition on the HD. That way you just press a function key or keys to access it.
Try Ctrl-F11. This seems to be the norm for Dell.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19245630.aspx
Try Ctrl-F11. This seems to be the norm for Dell.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19245630.aspx
Here's how to do it on a Vostro 400:
http://www.ehow.com/how_8456630_factory-restore-dell-vostro-400.html
What model are you working with?
http://www.ehow.com/how_8456630_factory-restore-dell-vostro-400.html
What model are you working with?
Restoring to factory condition will wipe out your data and installed programs. To me that's the same as hitting it with a hammer. You should first try the "corrupt profile fix" at the link I posted. If you can get into safe mode then the computer is not that far gone.
ASKER
TommyBoy, I kept getting a message about the disk being locked or read only, so I popped it out, put in an external drive enclosure, ran that & nothing! There are 2 profiles, from what I can see - there's a QB User & her's. I'll look into that, but if profile was a problem wouldn't it at least wait until I logged in before crapping out?
ScottCha, it's the office, quickbooks, etc., etc., that I'm worried about!
ScottCha, it's the office, quickbooks, etc., etc., that I'm worried about!
tommyBoy, not it's not. That's why you backup the data in Safe Mode and keep your install disks safe.
Oh, didn't know those were on there. I'd try and find the disks. Because eventually every HD will fail.
If sis has to buy more disks I'll be she is more careful in the future. ;-)
Oh, didn't know those were on there. I'd try and find the disks. Because eventually every HD will fail.
If sis has to buy more disks I'll be she is more careful in the future. ;-)
True, you can back up your data in safe mode. Programs, no.
Getting into safe mode means that the basic system files are intact. Not being able to log in to the full Vista experience means some add-on feature or hardware driver is corrupt OR your profile is corrupt.
The "corrupt profile fix" will fix the profile, the SFC /scannow will attempt to fix the other two types of problems.
if profile was a problem wouldn't it at least wait until I logged in before crapping out?Not necessarily, a corrupt profile can behave as you describe, i.e. click on the username and the machine reboots.
Getting into safe mode means that the basic system files are intact. Not being able to log in to the full Vista experience means some add-on feature or hardware driver is corrupt OR your profile is corrupt.
The "corrupt profile fix" will fix the profile, the SFC /scannow will attempt to fix the other two types of problems.
ASKER
Ok, unfortunately its time to go to my real job - thanks for advice & I'll get back to this tonight.
Relatives can be such fun.
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An extra added bonus is when you have people who can't remember their friggin' passwords, too!
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Ok, some actual paying work kept me tied up for a couple of days, but I'm back with a few more questions/problems.
Tried the corrupt profile fix.
I was only able to boot to safe mode to do this.
Added new account, logged in as that user, copied files from bad (?) acct to new folder, deleted bad acct - it asked if I wanted to keep files & I said yes, just in case.
Rebooted computer & same old acct I deleted was there, along with a QB User acct created when Quickbooks was installed!
Went to accounts & new account I had created was not there!
WTF?!?!?
And of course, when I logged in under mysteriously re-appearing account, none of old files, etc., were there.
So, I am open to any other suggestions, even those involving large hammers!
Tried the corrupt profile fix.
I was only able to boot to safe mode to do this.
Added new account, logged in as that user, copied files from bad (?) acct to new folder, deleted bad acct - it asked if I wanted to keep files & I said yes, just in case.
Rebooted computer & same old acct I deleted was there, along with a QB User acct created when Quickbooks was installed!
Went to accounts & new account I had created was not there!
WTF?!?!?
And of course, when I logged in under mysteriously re-appearing account, none of old files, etc., were there.
So, I am open to any other suggestions, even those involving large hammers!
Did SFC /scannow find and fix any problems?
ASKER
There is a system repair pending that requires a reboot to complete. Restart windows and run sfc again.
Rebooted with the repair your computer option, only get the option to log in as other user. Try the only acct I know to be available & get 'the specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted'
This is a home premium version, not a domain member - WTF?!?!
Rebooted with the repair your computer option, only get the option to log in as other user. Try the only acct I know to be available & get 'the specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted'
This is a home premium version, not a domain member - WTF?!?!
Sounds like the profile is still corrupted.
You're still able to get to a command prompt from safe mode? If so, you can enable the local administrator's account by entering
net user administrator /active:yes
The password should be blank. Maybe if you run the profile fix and SFC /scannow from that login?
You're still able to get to a command prompt from safe mode? If so, you can enable the local administrator's account by entering
net user administrator /active:yes
The password should be blank. Maybe if you run the profile fix and SFC /scannow from that login?
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If she doesn't have Office, you can always go for alternatives such as OpenOffice or something along those lines. As for Quickbooks, if she is a customer, I'm sure they will be able to help her with her details and provide a download link. I've found Intuit to be quite helpful in the past when we needed to get QB fixed for clients.
Also, you can try and run a keyfinder on Windows and at least obtain registry keys for Windows/Office and in some cases other software, so at least you have those. In cases of Office 2007 or 2010 you could then download a trial and activate it using the keys.
Also, you can try and run a keyfinder on Windows and at least obtain registry keys for Windows/Office and in some cases other software, so at least you have those. In cases of Office 2007 or 2010 you could then download a trial and activate it using the keys.
Along those same lines, if she purchased Office and registered it I'm sure Microsoft will be able to help. Good idea EMJSR.
True, but Microsoft can be a bit tedious, especially if you're trying to call on someone's behalf etc. If she has the information though, I'm sure they will be able to help just as well.
ASKER
Booted off a vista repair disk, chose repair options, command prompt, am in the recovery partition, can see PCRestore.exe, typing that command & NOTHING HAPPENS?!?
Just goes back to D:\Tools
Where did I put that #%^##€£ hammer...
Just goes back to D:\Tools
Where did I put that #%^##€£ hammer...
You keep trying to do a repair and it keeps failing. Are you even going to consider doing a Factory Reset?
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I sm trying to do that now.
Currently booted safe mode with command prompt, in the recovery partition, running the factory image restore.
Halfway through formatting HD, window with red circle X, that just says error, only option is ok, which puts me back to D:\Tools...
Currently booted safe mode with command prompt, in the recovery partition, running the factory image restore.
Halfway through formatting HD, window with red circle X, that just says error, only option is ok, which puts me back to D:\Tools...
Sorry...misunderstood. It's possible the HD is bad. Try running the diagnostics in BIOS and see if they turn anything up. Be sure to run the long scan.
If it is a bad HD your sister will have to make the choice of the cost of a new HD and I would recommed upgrading to either Windows 7 or 8. I think Microsoft still has the deal of upgrading to 8 for $80.
ASKER
Windows 8?
Nooooooooo....
Running HD test now...
Nooooooooo....
Running HD test now...
LOL!!! I know.
As an unrelated side note...
Windows 8 isn't actually that bad, IF, and only IF you get the third party "Start 8" add-on. It's around $5 and makes 8 look like 7. At least on the surface for the most part. I guess I have no choice, but to start using it eventually, otherwise support could be difficult. Luckily there is VMware.
Windows 8 isn't actually that bad, IF, and only IF you get the third party "Start 8" add-on. It's around $5 and makes 8 look like 7. At least on the surface for the most part. I guess I have no choice, but to start using it eventually, otherwise support could be difficult. Luckily there is VMware.
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I let the long test run, no problems found.
On the bright side, we did come up with all the disks that came with it...
On the bright side, we did come up with all the disks that came with it...
ASKER
My stubborness kept me from doing this at the start!
Thanks!
Thanks!
That's a lesson I learned a while back. I usually don't spend more than an hour trying to fix a PC. If there is a virus or it looks like a corrupted OS I backup the data, wipe, and rebuild.
Happy to be of assistance.
Happy to be of assistance.
ASKER
It seems I need to be reminded every once in a while, ha-ha!
Once you have booted up with the Vista DVD / Recovery Disc, select Repair Options and select Command Prompt. Type the following commands in succession, press <Enter> after each line:
Open in new window
Then close out and reboot. Hopefully the problem will be solved.