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Nasty Malicious Ware Can't Even Boot-Up


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#1
eddie_iz_me

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This is a really bad one I just know it.

I need this laptop for a presentation tomorrow out-of-state, so if you guys can give me a helping hand, I will surely show my gratitude and respects.

You guys are the greatest!

Eddie
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#2
OSC

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Hi eddie_iz_me,

Welcome to geekstogo.com! Could you kindly post the exact message you are getting? Also, please confirm that once you get this message, the only other option is to reboot again, which will put you into this endless loop.
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#3
eddie_iz_me

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Hello OSC,

Thanks for the quick response.

Here is the exact message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

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."

This is all I get... When I presss any other button, the computer merely reboots. I tried getting back using safe-mode but no luck.

Thanks for your help in advance.
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#4
OSC

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Oh boy. That's not good eddie_iz_me. :) :tazz:

You could try booting your computer into safe mode (reboot your computer and begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard. A menu will come up). Choose "Last known good configuration". This is a long shot and probably won't work, but Microsoft says it sometimes works.

I'm going to send you over to our Operating Systems forum for some of our Tech gurus to review this for you. Until you get that computer working and bootable again, we won't be able to clean any malware off of there.

Go here and post your problem with a link back to this thread. After you do that, have a look at this article from Microsoft:

http://support.micro...kb/307545/en-us

It talks about recovering from a similar error that you have. I only point this out so you can begin to read through it and begin to familiarize yourself with the repair process. Don't do it just yet, unless otherwise directed by one of our tech gurus. :)

Good luck!
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#5
eddie_iz_me

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Here is the exact message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

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."

This is all I get... When I presss any other button, the computer merely reboots. I tried getting back using safe-mode but no luck.

Thanks for your help in advance.

OSC from malware sent me here. Here's the link to our thread from over there:

http://www.geekstogo...showtopic=93110

Edited by eddie_iz_me, 19 January 2006 - 11:46 AM.

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#6
dsenette

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do you have your xp cd?
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#7
eddie_iz_me

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Hello dsenette,

I unfortunately do not have the xp cd. What I do have is the Recovery and Applications/Drivers DVD.

Am I out of luck?

Thanks for helping me out.

Eddie
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#8
dsenette

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don't use the instructions from the other thread (good link OSC)...they are good instructions but you probably have an OEM version of windows since they didn't send you the disk..


what kind of laptop is it?
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#9
eddie_iz_me

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Hello again dsenette,

The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite A65.

Thanks for the quick response,

Eddie
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#10
coachwife6

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I am merging OSC's and dsenette's thread into this one.
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#11
dsenette

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i think the current course of action will have to be using your recovery cd...unfortunately this may cause you to lose data...i'm trying ot find a reference to make sure that your recovery cd can reinstall windows without losing data
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#12
eddie_iz_me

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Thanks for you response dsenette,

I am willing to whatever you see fit. Thanks for doing the research -- I appreciate it very much.
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#13
dsenette

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ok...i want you to boot to that toshiba recovery cd that you have...but don't do anythin once youre in there..i wanna find out if there is an option for recovery console or something to that effect
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#14
dsenette

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if you can get to a recovery console once at the command prompt type

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
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#15
eddie_iz_me

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Yes Sir,

I have booted to that toshiba recovery cd as you mentioned...

This is what is on the screen:

<Selecting a process>
Please select a process.


o Recovery of Pre-installed software
Restore the hard drive to the out of box state.

o Erase the hard disk
Delecte all the data and partitions from your hard drive

Thanks for your help in advance.

Sincerely

Eddie
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