[apollo18]

I used CCleaner to delete duplicate files and now my computer will not start and first I get a message saying "A disk read error occurred. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart" and after I do that I get the message "Operating System No Found".

 

I thought I had only deleted duplicate photos/videos but I'm worried I must have deleted much more important files. Is there any way to get it working again? 

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Hello Apollo18 and
 
My name is Bruce1270 and I will be helping you with your malware problem.  

Please Note: I am still in training and my fixes have to be approved by my instructor so there may be a slight delay in my replies. Look upon it as a good thing though in that you have two people looking at your problem.

A few things before we get started.

• Please read all instructions carefully. If there is anything you do not understand please ask me first before doing anything.
• Please be patient. I am a volunteer who does this in my spare time so I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
• Please follow all instructions in the order given.
• Please do not install any other software unless advised. This may hinder the removal process.
• At the top of your post, please click on the "Follow this topic" button and make sure that the "Received notification" box is checked and set to "Instantly" This will send an email to you as soon as I reply to your topic, allowing us to solve your problem faster.
• Please make sure you reply within 4 days to my responses, if there is no reply within 4 days, the topic will be closed and you will need to request the topic be reopened.
  
  
  Important!
  
  Please save or print off these instructions. Part of this fix may require you to be in safe mode where you will not be able to access the internet or my instructions!
  
  I would strongly recommend you back up your personal data and folders before we begin.
  
  Malware removal can be very long, complicated and may take multiple steps. I understand this may be frustrating but please stay with this topic until your machine is declared clean. The results will hopefully be very rewarding.
  As we go along please tell me how the computer is running now. Please be as descriptive as possible e.g. I'm still getting web redirects, I am unable to access the internet etc.
  
  OK. Let's move on.
  
  First of all can you tell me the following -
• What is the windows operating system?
• Is it 32 or 64 bit version?
• Do you have the windows installation CD and access to a USB stick?

[Bruce1270]

Hello Apollo18 and
 
My name is Bruce1270 and I will be helping you with your malware problem.  

Please Note: I am still in training and my fixes have to be approved by my instructor so there may be a slight delay in my replies. Look upon it as a good thing though in that you have two people looking at your problem.

A few things before we get started.

• Please read all instructions carefully. If there is anything you do not understand please ask me first before doing anything.
• Please be patient. I am a volunteer who does this in my spare time so I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
• Please follow all instructions in the order given.
• Please do not install any other software unless advised. This may hinder the removal process.
• At the top of your post, please click on the "Follow this topic" button and make sure that the "Received notification" box is checked and set to "Instantly" This will send an email to you as soon as I reply to your topic, allowing us to solve your problem faster.
• Please make sure you reply within 4 days to my responses, if there is no reply within 4 days, the topic will be closed and you will need to request the topic be reopened.
  
  
  Important!
  
  Please save or print off these instructions. Part of this fix may require you to be in safe mode where you will not be able to access the internet or my instructions!
  
  I would strongly recommend you back up your personal data and folders before we begin.
  
  Malware removal can be very long, complicated and may take multiple steps. I understand this may be frustrating but please stay with this topic until your machine is declared clean. The results will hopefully be very rewarding.
  As we go along please tell me how the computer is running now. Please be as descriptive as possible e.g. I'm still getting web redirects, I am unable to access the internet etc.
  
  OK. Let's move on.
  
  First of all can you tell me the following -
• What is the windows operating system?
• Is it 32 or 64 bit version?
• Do you have the windows installation CD and access to a USB stick?

[apollo18]

Hi Bruce, thanks for helping me, I really appreciate it. There are some really important files on my computer if it is possible to retrieve them.

 

My computer is a 32-bit Sony Vaio VGC-JS2E and the operating system is Windows Vista.

I have access to a USB stick but I cannot find a windows installation CD.

[Bruce1270]

Hi Apollo18


Download the following three programmes to your desktop :


1. Rufus

For 32bit systems
2. Windows Vista 32bit RC I will PM link
3. Farbar Recovery Scan Tool 32 bit version

Insert the USB stick Then run Rufus


Select the ISO file on the desktop via the ISO icon.

Press Start Burn

Then copy FRST to the same USB



Insert the USB into the sick computer and start the computer. First ensuring that the system is set to boot from USB
Note: If you are not sure how to do that follow the instructions Here

Windows 7 and Vista screenshots

When you reboot you will see this.
Click repair my computer


Select your operating system


Select Command prompt


At the command prompt type the following :

notepad and press Enter.
The notepad opens. Under File menu select Open.
Select "Computer" and find your flash drive letter and close the notepad.
In the command window type e:\frst.exe
and press Enter
Note: Replace letter e with the drive letter of your flash drive.
The tool will start to run.
When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.

Press Scan button.
It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please copy and paste it to your reply.

[apollo18]

Hi Bruce,

 

I'm not able to download anything to my desktop because when I turn on the computer it says "Operating System Not Found" and I am not able to do anything with it.

​I've got access to an iMac. Am I able to download it there and copy it store it on a USB stick?

[Bruce1270]

Give it a try.

[apollo18]

Sorry, I see now you already said in your instructions to insert the USB stick 

If you have not already guessed, I warn you now that my IT skills are pretty non-existent.

 

Hmm, I downloaded the three programmes and dragged them onto the desktop but when I click on Rufus to run it I get the message

"You can't open the application rufus-2.7.exe because Microsoft Windows applications are not supported on OS X"

Am I doing something wrong?

[Bruce1270]

Hi Apollo18

No, you are not doing anything wrong. Rufus is a windows application which isn't compatible with the imac software unfortunately.

Let's see if you can actuall get into the Recovery Environment on your own machine.


Here are some instructions to help you access the Recovery Environment to run a scan.

Now

Plug the USB flashdrive into the imac and copy the FRST you downloaded onto the disk.

Plug the flashdrive into the infected PC.

Enter System Recovery Options.

To enter System Recovery Options from the Advanced Boot Options:

• Restart the computer.
• As soon as the BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until Advanced Boot Options appears.
• Use the arrow keys to select the Repair your computer menu item.
• Select English as the keyboard language settings, and then click Next.
• Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
• Select your user account and click Next.
  
  
  On the System Recovery Options menu you will get the following options:
  
  Startup Repair
  System Restore
  Windows Complete PC Restore
  Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
  Command Prompt
• Select Command Prompt
• In the command window type in notepad and press Enter.
• The notepad opens. Under File menu select Open.
• Select "Computer" and find your flash drive letter and close the notepad.
• In the command window type e:\frst.exe (for x64 bit version type e:\frst64) and press Enter
  Note: Replace letter e with the drive letter of your flash drive.
• The tool will start to run.
• When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
  It will create a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please copy and paste it to your reply.

[apollo18]

Hi Bruce,

 

Good to know I haven't done anything wrong...yet 

 

Before following your instructions to access the Recovery Environment, do I need to follow the part you said previously about booting from the USB flashdrive:

"Insert the USB into the sick computer and start the computer. First ensuring that the system is set to boot from USB

Note: If you are not sure how to do that follow the instructions Here"?

 

I followed the instructions on that link which says to "Press F12 to Choose Boot Device" but I just get the same messages as before:

"A disk read error occurred. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart" and after I do that I get the message "Operating System Not Found".

 

I can get into the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing F2 and under Boot Configuration it shows:

 

Boot Configuration

External Device Boot: [Disabled]

Network Boot: [Disabled]

 

Boot Priority

Select 1st Boot Priority [Internal Optical Disc Drive]

Select 2nd Boot Priority [Internal Hard Disk Drive]

Select 3rd Boot Priority [External Device]

 

​Is this the same thing and should I enable External Device Boot here and then select 3rd boot priority?

[Bruce1270]

Hi Apollo18

 

Before following your instructions to access the Recovery Environment, do I need to follow the part you said previously about booting from the USB flashdrive:

"Insert the USB into the sick computer and start the computer. First ensuring that the system is set to boot from USB

Note: If you are not sure how to do that follow the instructions Here"?

 

 

No. The USB stick is not currently bootable.

 

You only need to follow the instructions in post #8.

 

[apollo18]

Thanks Bruce.

 

On starting and tapping F8 I just get the same message 

 

"A disk read error occurred. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart" and after I do that I get the message "Operating System Not Found".

[apollo18]

Hi Bruce,

 

I have borrowed a laptop and I'm going to see if I can follow your instructions in post #4.

I'll let you know how I get on (probably be back asking for more help soon!)

[Bruce1270]

Good stuff.

Let's see how it goes.

[apollo18]

Hi Bruce,

 

I'm afraid I have run into a problem. I have downloaded the three programmes to the laptop but when I click on Rufus to open it nothing happens and when I click on it again it then says "Another Rufus application is running. Please close the first application before running another one."

Nothing opens up though.

[Bruce1270]

Hi Apollo18.

Rufus needs elevated privileges to run.

Restart the system. To open Rufus right click on its icon and then click on Run as Administrator.

See how that goes.