[Naathim]

I think that your hardware (the machine itself) is fine. The issue persists only in the operating system (software). The indications for this conclusion are operational SafeMode earlier and failure of Windows Updates.

A complete reformat/reinstall should solve it completely.

If the issue will persist even after, it may indicate a hardware problem (which I personally doubt about).

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Ok. So I need to get an external HDD should I want my files correct? Or else they will be lost?

Any recommendations on which HDD I should get. A budget friendly one would be ideal.

[corn4ahead]

Ok. So I need to get an external HDD should I want my files correct? Or else they will be lost?

Any recommendations on which HDD I should get. A budget friendly one would be ideal.

[Naathim]

If you want your personal files to be saved, you will need to transfer them to an external medium, like HDD. All data on your internal disk will be wiped out.

Personally I am not a hardware expert and this kind of questions are away my area of expertise, so I will ask a colleague of mine to take a look and point you some details.

[Aura]

If you want your personal files to be saved, you will need to transfer them to an external medium, like HDD. All data on your internal disk will be wiped out.
Personally I am not a hardware expert and this kind of questions are away my area of expertise, so I will ask a colleague of mine to take a look and point you some details.

May I just jump in for a second ?

If corn4ahead do not have an external HDD to back up his files (data), its totally fine. He could always shrink his current Windows partition (C: drive) by a few GBs (depending of how much GBs of data he have) then create a new one named "Data" for example where he would back up all its files (data). Therefore, during the installation process, he would only have to format the C: drive before moving on with the installation and once the installation will be done, he'll still have all the files he backed up on the other drive (let's say D:) available. What do you think Naathim ? Its a solution I often propose to people that want to reinstall Windows but have no device to back up their data. This is done assuming the user have a good sized HDD, of course !

[Naathim]

Hi AT Inc, hi Corn4ahead. Good morning from Poland.

 

I'd say that every option is an option, but bare in mind a little data we have got here and an unbootable volume causing BSODs. If there's enough free place on HDD, data can be saved there (on another partition). But since I don't know that, I can't recommend it. The most difficulty here is that we are not aware what damage has been done by failing Windows updates. There are tools like FRST which could help us manipulate the Windows files from external environment, but we are not able to perform it in the tech's section, as FRST is primarily a malware-removal tool. However, the recommended course of action is to always make a backup on ax external medium. Bare in mind that some infections spread themselves through all drives, regardless of being it a System one or not.

 

I will discuss the above situation with my teachers, if there is a possibility to put this thread into the Computer won't boot - Malware related section of the forum. There I should have more tools and possibilities to work this one, but I need to wait for the agreement first.

 

Credits to Iammykyl for this suggestion.

 

Corn4ahead, please wait until I will have a discussion with my teachers.

[Naathim]

Hello, Corn4ahead!
 
I'd like to welcome you to the Malware Removal part of the forum - we have moved your thread here, because now I will have more possibilities to take a look for your issues with more specialized scanners. After a discussion with my teacher, we will be both working with your issue. Bare in mind that nobody else is going to post here, other that me or my mentor.
 
I can't foresee everything, so if anything unexpected happens, please stop and inform me!
There are no silly questions. Never be afraid to ask if in doubt!
 
 
Moving on!

We will need your clean machine and USB Flashdrive for this operation. Make sure that the USB drive is emptied from your private data, as it will be formatted.

On a clean machine:

There will be three things to download:
RUFUS
Windows 7 x64 Recovery Environment <-- Link removed as it was for this OP only.
Farbar Recovery Scan Tool x64
 
When you'll be taken to the download site for Windows 7 RE, Google will notify you that it can't perform the scan for viruses.
It's not the case of concern, file is just too big to be scanned. I assure you that it's checked by me and is perfectly fine.
 
 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 

Plug-in the USB drive into the clear machine and run Rufus. You will see the window like one below:
 

 
Burn the iso image of Recovery Environment you've just downloaded with these settings:

• Device - make sure that your pendrive is listed;
• File System - set to NTFS;
• Make sure that Quick format option is checked;
• Create a bootable disk using - select ISO Image;
• Click on the small CD icon next to ISO Image - select the downloaded Recovery Environment .iso file.

Press Start ant the process should run.
You will be notified on the lower bar when it will be completed.

After that please move FRST64.exe file to the root of your USB drive:
 

Remove your USB drive from this machine and transfer it to the corrupted one.

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Insert your USB drive to the corrupted machine and start the computer. Make sure that booting from USB is set.
If you don't know how to do it, please refer to the following link: How to boot from a CD or USB drive on any PC.

When you reboot you will see this although yours will say Windows 7.

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, find your flash drive letter and close the notepad.
  
• In the command window type e:\frst64.exe and press Enter
  Replace letter e with the drive letter of your flash drive (taken from notepad).
  
• The tool will start to run.
  
• When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
  
• You will see a window similar to the one below:
  

  
  

• Press Scan button and wait patiently.

It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
 
 
Cheers,
Naat

Edited by Dakeyras, 16 June 2014 - 03:19 PM.
Removed DL link as only was for this OP only.

[corn4ahead]

Thanks for the reply. Here is the FRST Log.

 

Scan result of Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST.txt) (x64) Version: 15-06-2014
Ran by SYSTEM on MININT-26NGTVT on 16-06-2014 15:18:58
Running from G:\
Platform: WIN_7 (X64) OS Language: English(US)
Boot Mode: Recovery
Attention: Could not load system hive.
Attention: System hive is missing.

The only official download link for FRST:
Download link for 32-Bit version: http://www.bleepingc...can-tool/dl/81/
Download link for 64-Bit Version: http://www.bleepingc...can-tool/dl/82/
Download link from any site other than Bleeping Computer is unpermitted or outdated.
See tutorial for FRST: http://www.geekstogo...very-scan-tool/

==================== Registry (Whitelisted) ==================

ATTENTION: Software hive is missing.

==================== Services (Whitelisted) =================

==================== Drivers (Whitelisted) ====================

==================== NetSvcs (Whitelisted) ===================

==================== One Month Created Files and Folders ========

==================== One Month Modified Files and Folders =======

==================== Known DLLs (Whitelisted) ================

==================== Bamital & volsnap Check =================

C:\Windows\System32\winlogon.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\wininit.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\wininit.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\explorer.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\explorer.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\svchost.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\services.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\User32.dll IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\User32.dll IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\userinit.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\rpcss.dll IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\volsnap.sys IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\system32\codeintegrity\Bootcat.cache IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\winsrv.dll IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.

==================== Restore Points  =========================

==================== Memory info ===========================

Percentage of memory in use: 8%
Total physical RAM: 8086.17 MB
Available physical RAM: 7360.19 MB
Total Pagefile: 8084.32 MB
Available Pagefile: 7361.83 MB
Total Virtual: 8192 MB
Available Virtual: 8191.91 MB

==================== Drives ================================

Drive f: (U3 System) (CDROM) (Total:0.01 GB) (Free:0 GB) CDFS
Drive g: (Repair disc Windows 7 64-bit) (Removable) (Total:3.75 GB) (Free:3.54 GB) NTFS
Drive x: (Boot) (Fixed) (Total:0.03 GB) (Free:0.03 GB) NTFS
Drive y: (RECOVERY) (Fixed) (Total:19.53 GB) (Free:10.8 GB) NTFS ==>[System with boot components (obtained from reading drive)]

==================== MBR & Partition Table ==================

========================================================
Disk: 0 (MBR Code: Windows 7 or Vista) (Size: 699 GB) (Disk ID: 07F2837E)
Partition 1: (Not Active) - (Size=102 MB) - (Type=DE)
Partition 2: (Active) - (Size=20 GB) - (Type=07 NTFS)
Partition 3: (Not Active) - (Size=679 GB) - (Type=07 NTFS)

========================================================
Disk: 1 (Size: 4 GB) (Disk ID: 06B23381)
Partition 1: (Active) - (Size=4 GB) - (Type=07 NTFS)

==================== End Of Log ============================

[Naathim]

Hi

 

Thank you for the log.

 

Now I need you to be patient. We will do our best to fix your machine, however it will take some time because it is heavily corrupted. 

 

We need to approach it in steps. This can't be done in just one scan/fix. We're building a plan right now and hopefully I will have a full reply for you in the morning of my time (it's nearly 1 AM here).

 

Stay with me to the end, please. I (and I'm not the only one!) believe, that this one can be fixed.

 

Cheers,

Naat

[corn4ahead]

Ok thanks. I look forward to the response.

And ook. I hope it can be fixed. But I have started shopping for a new pc just in case....

[Naathim]

Your machine itself is fine, I assure you. It's the System that failed.

I really doubt that you will need a brand new laptop

[corn4ahead]

Ok. I'm looking for a better battery life anyway so my plan is to turn this into a home only computer.

I look forward to your response in the morning.

[Naathim]

Hi
 
Let's start the repairs. This one will take plenty of time, at least couple of hours.
 
 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
 

Insert your USB drive to the corrupted machine and start the computer. Make sure that booting from USB is set.
 If you don't know how to do it, please refer to the following link: How to boot from a CD or USB drive on any PC.

When you reboot you will see this although yours will say Windows 7.

Click repair my computer 
 

 
Select your operating system 
  

 
Select Command prompt
  

 
At the command prompt type the following:

chkdsk c: /r

and press Enter.
 
 note there are spaces in this command, as marked red here: chkdsk_c:_/r

 This procedure may take countless hours, like a whole day or even longer. Please, let it run uninterrupted.
 
 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Upon completion, please try to boot up normally. If no joy, please try to boot up in Safe Mode.
If normal or safe mode will be operational, please insert your USB drive, copy FRST64.exe to your desktop and run a fresh scan (with Addition option checked). Post the two logs it will hopefully generate.

If still no joy, once more start the Recovery Environment and post me a new FRST report from the Recovery Environment, like mentioned in my previous post.
 
Cheers,
Naat

[corn4ahead]

I'm having a problem now. My operating system is not showing up when I go to select it.

Earlier, I needed a file from my computer so I booted Ubuntu from A DVD but made no changes and I didn't install it to the system either.

What's going on here?

EDIT
It is getting stuck on this screen (see attached) now and I can't do anything. I have tried booting from a DVD and Flash drive with the same result.

It also is getting stuck on the system recovery options screen (see 2nd photo attached) once I tried a different USB port.

And now it's been stuck on this screen for awhile (attached photo 3)


EDIT (again)

After countless hours of trying and failing. I have finally got the chkdsk scan to run. At 11% complete at the moment. I will post results as soon as possible.

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 
• 

Edited by corn4ahead, 17 June 2014 - 03:44 PM.

[Naathim]

That is good. I hope that after this check we will have more options to go.
 
Keep me posted

 

Cheers,

Naat

[corn4ahead]

That is good. I hope that after this check we will have more options to go.
 
Keep me posted
 
Cheers,
Naat

Ok, so after a really annoying day with this dang laptop, I finally have a log to show you. Unfortunately, I had no luck with starting Windows normally or in safe mode. 
 
I also attached a photo of the end of the chkdsk log. Thought it might help.

Here is the log gathered from recovery console:
 
FRST LOG
 
Scan result of Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST.txt) (x64) Version: 15-06-2014
Ran by SYSTEM on MININT-N3OD8M6 on 17-06-2014 19:08:17
Running from G:\
Platform: WIN_7 (X64) OS Language: English(US)
Boot Mode: Recovery
Attention: Could not load system hive.
Attention: System hive is missing.
 
 
The only official download link for FRST:
Download link for 32-Bit version: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/dl/81/ 
Download link for 64-Bit Version: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/dl/82/ 
Download link from any site other than Bleeping Computer is unpermitted or outdated.
See tutorial for FRST: http://www.geekstogo...very-scan-tool/
 
==================== Registry (Whitelisted) ==================
 
ATTENTION: Software hive is missing.
 
==================== Services (Whitelisted) =================
 
 
==================== Drivers (Whitelisted) ====================
 
 
==================== NetSvcs (Whitelisted) ===================
 
 
==================== One Month Created Files and Folders ========
 
 
==================== One Month Modified Files and Folders =======
 
 
==================== Known DLLs (Whitelisted) ================
 
 
==================== Bamital & volsnap Check =================
 
C:\Windows\System32\winlogon.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\wininit.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\wininit.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\explorer.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\explorer.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\svchost.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\services.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\User32.dll IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\User32.dll IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\userinit.exe IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\rpcss.dll IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\volsnap.sys IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\system32\codeintegrity\Bootcat.cache IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
C:\Windows\System32\winsrv.dll IS MISSING <==== ATTENTION!.
 
==================== Restore Points  =========================
 
 
==================== Memory info =========================== 
 
Percentage of memory in use: 8%
Total physical RAM: 8086.17 MB
Available physical RAM: 7361.18 MB
Total Pagefile: 8084.32 MB
Available Pagefile: 7362.26 MB
Total Virtual: 8192 MB
Available Virtual: 8191.91 MB
 
==================== Drives ================================
 
Drive f: (U3 System) (CDROM) (Total:0.01 GB) (Free:0 GB) CDFS
Drive g: (Repair disc Windows 7 64-bit) (Removable) (Total:3.75 GB) (Free:3.54 GB) NTFS
Drive x: (Boot) (Fixed) (Total:0.03 GB) (Free:0.03 GB) NTFS
Drive y: (RECOVERY) (Fixed) (Total:19.53 GB) (Free:10.8 GB) NTFS ==>[System with boot components (obtained from reading drive)]
 
==================== MBR & Partition Table ==================
 
========================================================
Disk: 0 (MBR Code: Windows 7 or Vista) (Size: 699 GB) (Disk ID: 07F2837E)
Partition 1: (Not Active) - (Size=102 MB) - (Type=DE)
Partition 2: (Active) - (Size=20 GB) - (Type=07 NTFS)
Partition 3: (Not Active) - (Size=679 GB) - (Type=07 NTFS)
 
========================================================
Disk: 1 (Size: 4 GB) (Disk ID: 06B23381)
Partition 1: (Active) - (Size=4 GB) - (Type=07 NTFS)
 
 
==================== End Of Log ============================

thanks again for all your help.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by corn4ahead, 17 June 2014 - 05:23 PM.