Hello everyone,

I am running 32bit vista home premium and got some crazy virus a while ago but was able to restore my computer and used it for several weeks.



Then a few days ago it crashed again. I tried to use system restore a second time but when I do no restore points are found

After searching several forums I decided to boot in safe mode and run the command prompt: Vssadmin list shadow storage.

The result was:
Error: Unexpected failure: Catastrophic failure

Next I tried the command:
Vssadmin resize shadowstorage /For=C: /On=C: /MaxSize=2GB

This resulted in the same, error unexpected error catastrophic failure.

Would someone please help me resolve this issue?

I think my hard drive speed has slowed down by 25% +.

And I may have other issues with computer that I'm unaware of.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for any help you may offer.

-rand

Originally Posted by richc46

Rand,
Lets go to back to square one so that we can give you the best assistance possible.
Make a full anti virus scan
Download and make a full scan with malwarebytes.

Rich, thanks for the response. Unfortunately there are no longer any programs, files, or desktop icons on that computer. I am not sure what is left but all I see is my user name, the start button with only the run window, and a black desktop background (the trash icon may still be there in the top right corner).

So, unless I am missing something, I do not believe I can run an anti virus scan or download anything...

I would bet I have a virus, something that poses as a security/repair program and tries to get you to enter credit card information.

Originally Posted by rand1

Originally Posted by richc46

Rand,
Lets go to back to square one so that we can give you the best assistance possible.
Make a full anti virus scan
Download and make a full scan with malwarebytes.

Rich, thanks for the response. Unfortunately there are no longer any programs, files, or desktop icons on that computer. I am not sure what is left but all I see is my user name, the start button with only the run window, and a black desktop background (the trash icon may still be there in the top right corner).

So, unless I am missing something, I do not believe I can run an anti virus scan or download anything...

I would bet I have a virus, something that poses as a security/repair program and tries to get you to enter credit card information.

Or perhaps, more appropriately I should say, they may still be there but I do not seem to have access to them.

Can't you get into safe mode anymore?

Originally Posted by wither 3

Can't you get into safe mode anymore?

Yes, but there is nothing there either.

Originally Posted by richc46

Sometimes its best to bite the bullet than take a lot of time trying to fix what can be fixed easily.
If you can lose your stuff, lets just do a factory restoration, if you are willing.
If you cannot install Ubuntu, it will be difficult to take any other action.
You can try to use safe mode to get to repair console, if possible

I am more trying to save my stuff than the computer.

I would like to give Ubuntu a shot. I am not quite sure how though. I, literally, cannot do anything with the computer besides turn it on and off and boot it in various modes.

Are you imagining that I would download the software on a different computer, burn it to a CD, and then try and open it on the computer in question? I have no idea if this will work or not but am willing try it if you think that this is my best course of action.


Also, would you be so kind as to list the steps for a factory restoration in case I am unable to install Ubuntu or decide, as you said, that that path is too much work? This way I will not have to ask later and you will not have come back to this thread, again.

BTW, I am quite grateful for your assistance, thank you very much.

Originally Posted by richc46

I need the make and model of your computer for a factory restoration.
I do understand your reluctance to perform actions on your computer because you do not feel qualified.
Nothing that I have mentioned can hurt the computer. It will only affect the operating system, which is already a major problem.
Use another computer to create a disc with Ubuntu, try to install it, if it does not work, you have lost nothing.
The worst case scenario, if everything goes wrong is that you have to get an install DVD of Vista or buy an upgrade version of Seven. We just have to be sure that the problem is not with the computer and I am very confident that it is not. A definitive test would be getting Ubuntu to work on the computer. Ubuntu is just and operating system, just like Vista.
Good luck

OK, I will give it a shot tomorrow and let you know how it goes. I will also post the make and model tomorrow.