Weird problems with Vista

R

RobZ

New Member
Hey all, I'm new to the forum so I apologize if this problem has been posted somewhere else before...

I'm actually not a Vista user (I use Windows 7 & Mac), but I'm attempting to fix a Vista Laptop for a co-worker (apparently because I'm a programmer, she thinks I can fix any issue)

Anyway, I figured I'd give it a shot, and what I found was unlike any problem I've tried to troubleshoot before.

Symptoms in regular boot mode:

Half of the time when you log on, it just shows a light blue blank desktop, however you can use ctrl+alt+delete to get to the task mgr.

It's unable to start any anti-virus programs.

Unable to connect to the internet.

BITS service (and dependancy services) throw an error when you try to start them manually.

Doesn't detect any removable media.

I can boot in safe mode, but then I have the following issues. I'm unable to install most anti-virus programs.

I can connect to the internet, but cannot connect to any windows update services (windows defender, windows update, etc...)

I was able to install malware bytes, but could not connect to their update service.

Steps I've taken:
I ran the un-updated version of malwarebytes, but only caught 2 or 3 adware items and nothing else

Ran sophos anti-rootkit and came up empty handed.

I tried creating a separate account (to see if the problem was specific to her profile) but when I try to log in to the new account I just created, the whole machine freezes on the welcome screen.

Any thoughts? If you need more info, I'll be happy to provide it.
 

My Computer

System One

This could be helpful for running an up-to-date virus scan
and backing up personal files externally to the problem computer.
Avira AntiVir Rescue System

If all personal files can be extracted from the laptop,
doing a clean re-install of Vista might be worth considering.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq/SR5130NX
    CPU
    AMD AthlonTM 64x2 3800+
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE
If all the anti virus tests are negative, make sure that it is copy that is properly validated.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Ardneh said:
This could be helpful for running an up-to-date virus scan
and backing up personal files externally to the problem computer.
Avira AntiVir Rescue System

If all personal files can be extracted from the laptop,
doing a clean re-install of Vista might be worth considering.
Click to expand...

So if I just want to run a scan without doing a backup, it can handle that without losing any files?
 

My Computer

System One

Have you tried a Live CD were you Boot from the CD Instead of the HDD You will need the Following-:

  • Another Computer with internet access
  • A Blank CD
  • An ISO Burner
  • And of course the Download file

Follow This Guide for more information AVG Antivirus and Security Software - AVG Rescue CD Guide

Also This is a Anti-virus CD which will scan your computer for Viruses and Malware

Here is the Download page : AVG UK - AVG Rescue CD

Hope This Helps,
Josh
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2400 @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn H67MP-S/-V/H67MP
    Memory
    8.0GB DDR3 @ 665MHz (2GBx4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD Radeon 6870
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SMB1930NW (1440x900@60Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    977GB Seagate ST31000524AS ATA Device (SATA) + 250GB WD iSCSI attached Drive
    Case
    Novatech Night
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Dell HID-compliant mouse
So if I just want to run a scan without doing a backup, it can handle that without losing any files?
Click to expand...
The scan can be run without doing a backup.

Any time a system is unstable there is the concern
that things may go from bad to worse without warning.

That is why backing up irreplaceable personal files could be a priority.

On the other hand, if the laptop owner has current backups
already, it may not need to be worried about.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq/SR5130NX
    CPU
    AMD AthlonTM 64x2 3800+
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE
Update:

I attempted to burn recovery discs, and after it burned the first one, it gave me an error in the validation process. Another symptom of whatever this virus is?
 

My Computer

System One

Update:

Today (in safe mode):

I ran Avast 4.8.

Was able to manually apply an update to Windows defender and do a scan with that.

Tried the Avira bootable virus scan as recommended in an earlier post.

Tried running sfc /scannow to repair and corrupted system files

Ran a windows FixIt manually to restore the hosts file.

Came up empty handed.

I did some additional digging and came up with a few more odd symptoms. When I open task manager (in normal mode, not safe mode), and go to the processes tab, there are only 6 processes running. Almost all services are turned off, when I try to start them manually, the PC just hangs...it also hangs when I try to start any anti-virus application

I'm going to try spybot and Shadowjk's recommendation tomorrow afternoon. (AVG rescue CD)

I'm starting to run out of options, and since I can't even complete the burning of the system recovery discs with the computer in it's current state, I'm beginning to get a little worried.

Is there anyone who has any ideas at all on this or has experienced it in the past? Any info you'd like me to post about the system or any kind of log files that would assist in troubleshooting.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob
 

My Computer

System One

Do you have another computer?


Use that to Download the AVG Rescue Disk and burn the Disk

Hope This Helps,
Josh
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2400 @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn H67MP-S/-V/H67MP
    Memory
    8.0GB DDR3 @ 665MHz (2GBx4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD Radeon 6870
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SMB1930NW (1440x900@60Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    977GB Seagate ST31000524AS ATA Device (SATA) + 250GB WD iSCSI attached Drive
    Case
    Novatech Night
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Dell HID-compliant mouse
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