[SpySentinel]

Step #1

Please boot into Safe Mode. You can do this by:

Restarting your computer and as soon as it starts booting up again continuously tap F8. A menu should come up where you will be given the option to enter Safe Mode.


Go to Start --> control panel --> power settings and uncheck both hibernate and standby.


Then reboot back into Normal Mode.


Step #2

To get an Uninstall List from HijackThis:

• Open HijackThis, click Config, click Misc Tools
• Click "Open Uninstall Manager"
• Click "Save List" (generates uninstall_list.txt)
• Click Save, copy and paste the results in your next post.

Step #3

Go here and download SpaceMonger.

Click the Open button to select the C:\ drive to be checked.

After it runs, please post a screenshot of SpaceMonger by:


Download screenshot.exe by AutoIT Team to your desktop.

Right Click on a blank space on your tool bar (red Arrow) to get the following menu.
click Toolbars/ Desktop. (Black Arrow)



You should now see Desktop on your toolbar next to the clock.



Next recreate the error that your getting then

• By clicking on the arrows next to "Desktop" you should see the desktop contents .
  
• With the error your receiving showing on your desktop
• Scroll or place your pointer on screenshot or screenshot.exe and click once. If you get a security warning, simply click Run.
• A new JPEG Image will appear on your desktop called screenshot or screenshot.jpg
  
• Add that as an attachment to your next post.

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Hi spysentinel & co,

So glad you're here, but I have bad news. I got as far as safe mode. Then the computer goes into a loop. First, it installed about 7 updates. Since then, no matter what I do, all it does is configure, shut off, turn on and configure again and again etc. I tried everything. Once or twice the signon screen flew by at lightpeed, but it's mostly configuring. I tried other log on options--always the same result. Mostly I tried what you said with F8 and safe mode. I hope you have another idea because I am at the public library so I could reach you. It will be open again on Tuesday. Til then, unless something changes, I can't be reached by computer, but I will do my utmost to get back here on Tuesday. You've done so much already. I truly am grateful. Is this a jam you can get me out of?

[traveler818]

Hi spysentinel & co,

So glad you're here, but I have bad news. I got as far as safe mode. Then the computer goes into a loop. First, it installed about 7 updates. Since then, no matter what I do, all it does is configure, shut off, turn on and configure again and again etc. I tried everything. Once or twice the signon screen flew by at lightpeed, but it's mostly configuring. I tried other log on options--always the same result. Mostly I tried what you said with F8 and safe mode. I hope you have another idea because I am at the public library so I could reach you. It will be open again on Tuesday. Til then, unless something changes, I can't be reached by computer, but I will do my utmost to get back here on Tuesday. You've done so much already. I truly am grateful. Is this a jam you can get me out of?

[SpySentinel]

Because you can't even get into safe mode, it looks like you will have to repair xp.
It sounds like you had a bunch of updates being installed and your computer was shut down in the middle of it.

Go HERE
to learn how to repair your computer.


Let me know how it goes.

[traveler818]

Hi Spysentinel,

I copied your repair instructions, but they're for repairing Windows XP, not Vista. I tried the repair feature on my os disk: I tried every repair option it would let me try or that I could try. System restore ran all night, and now I see my sign-on screen for 1-2 seconds before it starts configuring, shutting down, then back on to reconfigure ad nauseum. One thing I couldn't try was booting off backup disks because they don't even sell blank dvd's in this town. And I'd need to learn how to get everything off my computer onto the disks. (I have a D partition which is supposed to be where my backups are, but it seems everything went onto the C drive), but in truth there's nothing there. Why does it think it's full?
I was able to do something with all the other repair features though it didn't really help.
After trying every repair feature at least twice, I had to do a clean install, because the first option (don't recall what they called it) was disabled. I don't know how much help the Windows XP instructions will do me--I only get 2 hours at the library, so I have to print the instructions out and take them home to read.
Before I did the clean install I was instructed to have my activation code ready and be careful about changing BIOS settings, but none of those options appeared. No options or prompts appeared: the computer just did it's thing and when it was done, my C drive was supposedly full and the D partition mostly empty. (Technically).
I'm considering trying another clean install: I wasn't sure about trying another clean install--can it hurt?--I would assume that since the C drive thinks it's full (there were no programs or files to delete to free up space)(?), my guess is it would either work or refuse to do anything at all.
I'll see what I can learn from the XP instructions--I don't know how different they are: you gave all the info the computer said it would need, but never asked for, BUT, would it be the same for Vista, in the most unlikely event I got that far? I'll try to get back to the library ASAP, either tomorrow (Th) or Friday. They close Sun & Monday. Not feeling real optimistic at this point.
FYI: Gateway ( my computer's manufacturer) said based on the number of help calls they get about Cyberdefender (a majority), that most if not all of this was due to the programs that they actually reinstalled on my disk after I got the one off. Also, when I installed COMODO, curiosity caused me to start it in advanced mode and info was flying out to Cyberdefender. I believe they call that spyware. Those files may be on the D partition now, but not in recognizable form in the C drive. I then put COMODO in beginnners mode but all I have left is the recycle bin.

[SpySentinel]

Hi


Go here

http://www.winsupers...grade_clean.asp

for the complete guide for installing/reinstalling vista...it includes a workaround for the upgrade dvd to do a clean install too...

[traveler818]

5:04 PM 3/18/2009Adobe Flash Player 10 ActiveX
HijackThis 2.0.2
Hotfix for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (KB953595)
Hotfix for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (KB958484)
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

[traveler818]

I got locked out again and had to do another clean install-again, the repair options didn't work. It seems that every clean install takes something out of the D partition. I tried running off that but it didn't work. Since I was able to get online, I followed the above instructions as far as I could get, which was to get desktop on my toolbar, but I tried 3 times to download screenshot: I checked everywhere I possibly could on the toolbar and in the files-not there. There is no error message either: if need be, I could type in the few files that are in the C drive: some of which are empty.
Before that, I tried following the instructions to do a clean install but got totally stuck on TOOLS--I couldn't find it anywhere: the path was START>COMPUTER>PROPERTIES>TOOLS>ERROR CHECKING>CHECK NOW. This was to be done before I installed the disk.
My os disk isn't Vista proper, it's the one that came with the computer (Gateway) which supposedly repairs or installs Vista. Again, the only available option was a clean install. Again, the C drive thinks it's full and won't let me install most antimalware: how I got HijackThis on, I don't know. Based on what I read today, should I uninstall it and try to install OTList2?
More important, how do I convince the C drive that it is nearly empty? This time, I hit delete before the installation hoping to get more room--it didn't buy me much.
At this point, I never know if I can get online, so there's the library, which makes this take longer...
3 mos and I'm still troubleshooting on this computer I was supposed to be able to just turn on and use. And I'm still a real beginner.

Edited by traveler760, 17 March 2009 - 06:53 PM.

[SpySentinel]

You may have somehow adjusted the partition size ...or you have 2 versions of vista on the c drive partition.

You need to reformat...the drive should be put back like the day you bought the computer new.

After you reformat, their should be lots of free space...

Please go HERE and follow the steps to reformat Windows Vista

[traveler818]

I too believe there are more than one versions of vista on the C drive--I thought they overwrote. Further, I was led to believe that backups went to the D partition--I have some disks on order for backups, but don't think they'll help at this point.

The first time I did a clean install, the system booted off the CD no problem. Over time, it got more problematic. 2 days ago, I couldn't get on the internet and had to do it a 3d or 4th time. I don't know how because I spent hours before I got into the CD from inside Windows. That time I chose delete. (I had already tried compressing the files). This time, in the CD, I hit format and was told all data on the disk would be lost (I rejoiced), but it was over 3/4 full at the end of the clean install. After installing an Intel driver update (god knows if it was the right one), I have no space left on drive C and plenty on the D partition. Also every install ends with at least 46 updates. So I'm in worse shape than I was last time and totally befuddled as to why deleting everything filled the drive completely. Before that, I deleted every deletable file. When I was still nearly 8000 MB short, all I had left to delete was spam. I couldn't do anything. Still can't. It just won't boot off the CD anymore: I turn it on and with careful timing one time in 10 (pressing F10 at just the right time), I get the BIOS window. CD/DVD is already selected, so I push enter, but it still won't boot off the CD.

Edited by traveler760, 19 March 2009 - 11:20 PM.

[SpySentinel]

Please go HERE to get GParted Live CD, a bootable linux CD that takes you straight into GParted, the great linux utility for managing partitions.

Then boot from the gparted cd and take a picture of your screen and post it




Also, see HERE for instructions on how to shrink the D partition and expand the C partition.

[traveler818]

Thank you spysentinel,

I hope to have my new blank disks next week: DVD-RW, right? I ordered 10. Before I start the process, I don't know how to backup to the DVD's. Would you kindly give instructions so when I get the disk, Im ready to go? And more: how do I take a picture to get started?

The instructions say I need a bootable os disk or I won't succeed. I called Gateway and it was their opinion that the CD drive is either not reading the disk or not reading it properly. Do I dare go forward?: it has consistently refused to boot. I truly don't think it will until that problem is resolved.

Would it refuse to boot if the C drive was full? It has a couple of MB on it, but as usual, I find the screen that tells me by accident. I tried and failed today.

Is there a way to try to get it to boot to the D partition before I get into a situation I can't get out of?

Is it possible to copy all the files on the C drive onto the DVD's? Then, with your help, replace the system files.

I just shrank the D partition as far as it would let me. The C drive is still red but I am up to 468 MB free of 12.15 GB. The D partition has 741 GB free of 94.9 GB. Maybe now my os disk will boot--didn't you say there was a way to delete partition D from the os CD? I won't try until I've done a backup (when I get my new DVD's), and now I can actually create a restore point in the C drive. But I expected more: what is the D partition for that it needs all that space?

I am not rich, but I owe you for this, I'll send what I can when it's over. Thank you so much for hanging in.

Still a beginner--will probably always be.

I thought all was lost. You've given me hope.

Edited by traveler760, 21 March 2009 - 11:17 PM.

[SpySentinel]

Hi traveler760,

Thanks for hanging in there. I know this may seem overwhelming, but I am here to help you and make this as easy as possible.

I am not rich, but I owe you for this, I'll send what I can when it's over. Thank you so much for hanging in.

Thank you very much. Glad I am able to help you



You only need a blank CD to make the gparted bootable cd.

If you don't have a burning program that will burn .ISO files go here and get burncdcc ..a small FAST iso burning program.

NOTE...do not put a blank cd in until burncdcc opens the tray for you
1. click on BurnCDCC.exe
2. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd ....in this case its GParted.iso
3. Select the ISO file
4. click on Start

[traveler818]

I'll try tomorrow. I ordered the DVD-RW's to backup my system, but they're not here yet. I am assuming one regular CD will work? After shrinking the D partition, I went out to eat and came home to find the computer with it's hands in the cookie jar. Instead of 468 MB in drive C, I now have 150. I had planned to do a system restore. It did it's own and postdated it. When I tried again to shrink the D partition, there was 0 left to shrink, and the option to expand the C drive was greyed out. When did computers start turning themselves on?--this is the 2nd time I've caught it.

[traveler818]

How do I take a picture of it to start?

[traveler818]

Tired and confused: are DVD-RW's the right media for a system backup? If not, I need to order the right ones. Right now, before they sell out, the store has DVD-R's and CD-R's.