PC restroom Pulp

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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:24 pm

My dinosaur XP (home) based PC has screwed its software.

I got a virus alert this morning, and avast did its thing, but I didnt let it restart, as I was too busy. Now it wont! It goes up to the 'Loading Windows' page, then reboots, in a loop. F5 and safe mode etc make no difference at all.

I tried the XP disk, but a repair of windows didn't work. If I reinstall I wipe the whole partition clean, yes? I so dont want to do that!

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:45 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOPYOA6mxl8

usually works for me

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:12 pm

XP is a dinosaur?? Um. My home desktop still runs Windows 98. Embarassed

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:32 pm

^^ then yours is a trilobite

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:53 pm

When prompting for a place to install Windows to, the original XP CD will offer an option that goes something like "install here, leave existing file system alone". You should be able to install a new copy of Windows that way. It'll make a mess on your HD (since all the folders it wants to create already exists, causing Windows to alternately install stuff into existing folders or create another folder with a similar name). You should still be able to browse your old user profile and recover your documents though.

If the "last known good configuration" didn't work either, you're probably out of luck.

If you like I can borrow you my copy of ERD Commander and/or my BartPE CD. ERD Commander in particular is a great tool and a must-have for every tech support guy. The "the darn thing won't boot" button or the Crash Analyzer Wizard might be helpful in your case.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:20 pm

0All obvious fixes failed, and theres data on that HD that I cant afford to lose (last full backup 03/11 :rolll:

So, I jumped on the bike at 4.45, and tore across the city through all the traffic - I was at the PC parts shop by 5.15 (it closes at 5.30). Back now, with a 1Tb drive that cost less than the 500Gb one, and a SATA comnpatible caddy (cost all of £10) so hopefully I can install XP on the new drive, then import the data and my programs off the caddy.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:01 pm

^^ Good luck!

(There's a relatively easy way to migrate your entire user profile to the new HD, if you would like to do that. Detailed instructions upon request.)

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:26 pm

/\/\ I think I'm Ok with that, however the problem popped up again, despite a new Hd and fresh install! JM's solution above looked very tempting.

I got her booted up again somehow, and a box told me that a registry entry had to be recovered. I think theres something nasty in my registry, the only place it could still lurk. Malwarebytes found nothing.

Just for fun, Avast is refusing to download, I wonder if their server is down. Can anyone recommend another free AV software? I will search on here for tips.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:28 pm

^^^ Good luck! It usually takes me 2 full evenings to reinstall XP, including running Windows Update, re-registering software and all that jazz. It can turn a good man bad. Sad

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:31 pm

Microsoft has just come up with a tool for your problem. But, you will have to d/l the program. If you can't, then perhaps someone can do it for you and make you a disk.

http://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:39 pm

Thanks I already hung up on my Mum, and told the wife to stay well away. Having read some threads on Eater, I checked and found folders with random letters and numbers under 'apllication data' for both users.

Virus still at work methinks, maybe thats what's stopping Avast downloading?

ETA: trying to install avast gives me a box 'you cannot install into this folder' which wont go away other than with a restart. It behaves like all that crap I got from the virus I had recently.

I re-ran malwarebytes and tried cc cleaner too. Ill try your suggestion, Askinner

ETA: They wont run either. Something very rum going on here. I'll try the laptop.

ETA 2: I d/l'd the standalone scanner using the laptop, its now running on the PC. It says it may take a few hours, so I'm leaving it to get on with things.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:15 am

If you've installed XP on a new hard disk, it shouldn't give registry errors. Have you removed the old disk in case the PC is trying to boot off it?

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:16 am

I do remember when I was running XP it went into a start up loop. I don't remember how it was fixed but it was fixed fairly easily. Probably why I don't remember.

I never had to reinstall my OS thanks to Norton Go Back. Go Back saved me from many head aches. I wish they made it for windows 7. My son use to reinstall his OS almost monthly. If I remember correctly when you reinstall XP all of the information from before is moved into a new folder so you lose nothing. I remember there being an option to reinstall or reformat and reinstall. Someone told me if you reformat first, the drive is wiped clean.

So if you just reinstalled, you should have a folder with all of your old stuff. Take a look at how much hard space is being used. If it's more than 80 GB then all your old stuff is there. Drag all the important stuff to your external drive then try reformatting and reinstalling.

This is exactly why I pay for tech support. Usually things can be fixed remotely. Sometimes I even call just so they can update my drivers.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:52 am

But what level of service does Slightly give for your 99c?

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Posts: 689

I'll get the link to techspot forums for you Roy ... they're brilliant! Can't do that until I get home (about 6 hours time)

Just leave said dying computer alone, don't be tempted to fiddle!

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:59 pm

Roycropper wrote:

Can anyone recommend another free AV software?

http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

It's a toss up between this one and Avast which is best.
I have one on my tower and the other on my laptop.

As for the reboot, F8 it and when Windows Advanced Startup Options shows, select the option to disable automatic restart on system failure. At least then you'll get an error message telling you what's wrong.

BTW. I had the same problem with reboots a few weeks ago. Turned out it was just a load of dust in the system causing it to overheat and shutdown. Have you checked inside to make sure everything's clean?

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:35 pm

When uninstalling/removing the virus, make sure to take system restore OFF, sometimes viruses hide in the system folders, and it will make XP think you are the virus and roll back.

Hit the F8 like slightly said, after you take off the restart on failure off, hit F8 again and boot in to 'safe mode' to do the scan/remove with your anti-virus.

Some malware also has a kill switch, which fucks your bios.

Besides viruses, your hard drive may be on its way out and shorting. Some drivers may be corrupt and causing a conflict. Write down the error number once you get the blue screen and google it.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:13 pm

It is amazing how fast and how much dust gathers inside a PC. It must be the fans. The PC I have now isn't getting as dirty as the one I had before. Which is odd since there are vents with fans on top of the tower and not just the back. Good thing because the tower weighs at least 30 lbs.

Here's a tip my wife thought me. When in doubt, throw money at it.

Quote:

But what level of service does Slightly give for your 99c?

Alienware tech support is pretty good. When you call the US number you get someone (on offense) who's first language is English and doesn't have to look things up before finding a solution. Usually they fix everything remotely. If they can't fix it over the phone they will send someone to my house to fix it. They have already replaced the faceplate because it was opening and closing slow and making a grinding sound. You can learn a lot from tech support. Lately though the only thing I have learned is that I can remove static by unplugging the power cord then hold down the power button for thirty seconds.

I still am looking for a program similar to Go Back. System restore is okay but your system needs to start up to use it. Go Back starts up right after the bios screen if I renumber right. Some where in the begging of boot up at least. In Roy's case I would just go back a day or two when everything was working fine.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:50 pm

Hooboy!

Turns out the 1Tb drive was faulty - I thought it was bound to be me or the virus, but the HD kept making a tap tap tap noise, like a little man was chopping wood in there.

All attempts to reinstall today (after more failed starts) all failed.

New drive is in, and I treated it to Windows 7 while I was at it - got a cheap OEM disk, rather than continuing to bumble on with a stolen copy of XP.

I'm on the laptop for now, I'll keep you posted.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:53 pm

Ghost wrote:

The PC I have now isn't getting as dirty as the one I had before.

You numpty.
That's because the one you have now is water cooled.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:19 pm

Yes, I know but there still is a shit load of fans inside. It's not just water cooled. The fans inside open up the top vents. My kid's PC doesn't have the vents that open and close and I can see a lot of dust on the top. His is water cooled as well. He makes his light up different colors and the light makes the dust more visible. I keep mine blacked out. The inside of his is clean though. Everything inside is boxed in so I am sure somewhere inside is getting dirty.

Quote:

Turns out the 1Tb drive was faulty

What did you expect for $20 Laughing

I don't know why I thought you were referring to an external drive. Maybe because I have one.

I hear windows 7 is a little harder on system resources. Something to consider if your machine is old. By the way, when your brought your new drive home. I hope you were wearing a back pack. If not I am picturing you with a basket in the front of your bike Laughing

This is fans

This is vents (I had no idea they open by being told. I thought the fans blew them open)

These are lights

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:41 pm

First post on the 'new' PC, Avast & Firefox have been installed, no problems. The virus attack had wiped out most of the links to programs and accessories, so I'm glad to see stuff like notepad and calculator again.

Ghost wrote:

By the way, when your brought your new drive home. I hope you were wearing a back pack. If not I am picturing you with a basket in the front of your bike Laughing

A basket would look a bit ghey on the front of a 1200cc Harley Sportster! Smile

The drive was in one of the leather saddlebags.

XP was always a bad option on this PC, as it can do much better, but it was free (blagged). My PC supplier mainly does components, so Win7 was only around £70 as an OEM package.

The old 500Gb drive is in a caddy now, I was alarmed when my 'work' profile came back as 0 files, 0 bytes, but that was before I realised I had to set it to share the files with another user.

Haven't seen if it will cope with the high tech modern Office 2003 yet, that's next.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:51 pm

Quote:

1200cc Harley Sportster!

Don't I feel stupid Very Happy

My image of you just went up ten fold. Thirty minute drive though is pretty long. I can get anywhere in the city in ten minutes. It helps there is a freeway right in the center of it.

Anyway, with the 1 TB drive you won't have to worry about space for a while. Not bad for $20. Have you maxed out your ram?

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:16 pm

Ghost wrote:

Thirty minute drive though is pretty long. I can get anywhere in the city in ten minutes

It's just the fact that he can't go more than 5mph on the cobbled streets and gravel roads in his town without falling off.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:30 pm

Plus there's a traffic light on red every 200 yards. At that time of day, I stop for them, too.

If Ghost's where the IP tracker says he is, this city is more than 4 times bigger. We don't have alligator lizards in the air, though.