[AFAS]

i have had a problem with my computer for a number of days and have been discussing this with one of your team (Broni).
After installing AVG my computer ceased to work and would start up, shut down then start up repeatedly.
We have been attempting to boot the computer using downloaded software for windows but this does not appear to be working.
I have used numerous virus scan programmes in the past 18 months.
your colleage has suggested that the computer my be infected and has suggested a post this in the Malware and spyware Area.
Any help and suggestions wold be appreciated.
Alan

[Essexboy]

Hi we will need to work outside of windows initially for this. Do you have access to another computer and a spare CD ?

OK this file is big about 276.7Mb, print these instruction out so that you know what you are doing

File details
Bytes - 290,236,416
MB - 276.7
MD5 - 3BD19DB0ADB880A39DD80C704CB907D0

Two programmes to download

First

ISOBurner this will allow you to burn OTLPE.iso to a CD and make it bootable. Just install the programme, from there on in it is fairly automatic. Instructions

Second

• Download OTLPE.iso and burn to a CD using ISO Burner. NOTE: This file is 276.7Mb in size so it may take some time to download.
  
• When downloaded double click and this will then open ISOBurner to burn the file to CD
  
• Reboot your system using the boot CD you just created.
  Note : If you do not know how to set your computer to boot from CD follow the steps here
  
• As the CD needs to detect your hardware and load the operating system, I would recommend a nice cup of tea whilst it loads
  
  
  
• Your system should now display a Reatogo desktop.
  Note : as you are running from CD it is not exactly speedy
  
• Double-click on the OTLPE icon.
  
• Select the Windows folder of the infected drive if it asks for a location
  
• When asked "Do you wish to load the remote registry", select Yes
  
• When asked "Do you wish to load remote user profile(s) for scanning", select Yes
  
• Ensure the box "Automatically Load All Remaining Users" is checked and press OK
  
• OTL should now start.
  
  
• Press Run Scan to start the scan.
  
• When finished, the file will be saved in drive C:\OTL.txt
  
• Copy this file to your USB drive if you do not have internet connection on this system.
  
• Right click the file and select send to : select the USB drive.
  
• Confirm that it has copied to the USB drive by selecting it
  
• You can backup any files that you wish from this OS
  
• Please post the contents of the C:\OTL.txt file in your reply.

[AFAS]

Hi, programmes downloaded and disc burned.
Made sure that CD ROM is the first thing to boot from.
Stopped then started computer - presume you don't need to do anything else?
got message
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
plus message 'you can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the original Setup Cd-Rom.
select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.
These are the same messages I have received previously.
regards
Alan

[Essexboy]

When the system restarts you should get a press any key to boot from CD prompt - did you get that ?

[AFAS]

no nothing like that

[Essexboy]

Could you confirm that the first boot device in the BIOS is at CD

Is the XP cd you have access to the same as the variant on your system ?

[AFAS]

Hi,
in the set up menu the boot set up is CD, ?something, then hard drive.
I have the disc from Dell for re installing the operating system and the original for my sons computer windows XP home edition.
Alan

[Essexboy]

And CD is set at first boot ? As without being able to boot from the CD we have some problems

[AFAS]

Yes, CD is first although they are all ticked.

[Essexboy]

Could you leave the cd only ticked and see if that works

[AFAS]

after the Dell logo and strike F2 etc the screen goes straight to
strike f! to try reboot, F2 for setup utility.
Alan

[Essexboy]

Is there the option within the F2 setup utility to boot from CD ?

[AFAS]

Apart from the boot sequence, the only other mention of boot is for a 'fast boot' which is on.
There is a system event log if that is of benefit?
Alan

[AFAS]

The event log seems to continually indicate and Event type of POST Error and Event Data of Keyboard Error for the past two days.
Alan

[Essexboy]

Do you have a spare keyboard ? and is your current one USB or P2
Is this a laptop or desktop ?