Format and factory install a Gateway Laptop

I got infected with the "system check virus" which is making my files hidden. So I can't go to the Gatweway Recovery Center to do it automatically. I'm on Windows Vista.

I tried doing all the "F" pressing that takes me to the "Repair" screen but that doesn't work either. It ends up taking me to a screen that asks for a user name and password and I can't get past that.

Seems the solution is to format the drive.

My Recovery Partition is on the D drive for Gateway. I am able to access a Command Prompt.

Can someone help me and let me know if it's possible to just format the C drive and then somehow reinstall windows vista from that recovery partition?

Any help is appreciated thanks!
 

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Hello, give this a read, if you think the uninstall guide will help, then follow each step in the Automated removal instructions. Post back results please. Remove System Check (Uninstall Guide)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
Thanks for this. I had seen that thread but wasn't sure if it was from a trustful source, so I appreciate you linking me to that. I'll try that.

In the end, I am going to reformat and do a factory install, so I'm wondering if I have to go through the virus removal first or can I just format the C drive and install vista for the recovery drive somehow?
 

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Well, let me ask you this. Is there anything you want to even try to save ? If not. then do you want to do a full install from Vista install disk or what were your thoughts on the reformat and install ? This could be helpful for backing up any files.This : Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek they of course would need to be checked for viruses before using them if saved while infection still on computer. Think about how you want to do this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
Nope. I have all the files i want backed up with sugar synch.

So what I really want to do is just format everything and have a completely fresh install. I don't need anything saved.

No disks came with my gateway laptop, it's all in that recovery partition. So what I'm trying to figure out is how to format the C drive and then install vista from that partition in the D drive. Hopefully from the command prompt as i'm unable to get to the Gateway Recovery folders because of the virus. THANKS!
 

My Computer

K, give me full make and model number of computer please.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
It's a Gateway Laptop ML6720.

Remember, I have tried doing the pressing of f8, f10 and even f11. Going though those screens didn't work. I have to try and do all of this from the command prompt. Which is formatting c drive and installing vista from the d partition drive. thanks.
 

My Computer

okay, let me see what i can find out for you. I will post back soon.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
right, I cant get to any of this. The virus has wiped out all those menus and hidden the files. The Gateway Recovery Center says "empty".

I need to format and install from the COMMAND PROMPT.
 

My Computer

Well, try that Bleeping Computer Uninstall Guide. using its step by step of instructions. and see if you can get to the finish of that. Otherwise , we would need to purchase from Gateway a disk for you to reinstall. They are not much , but, it is money out of pocket.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
Just so you know what happens when I press F8 and I click on "REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER" it then loads into a screen that asks for a USERNAME and a PASSWORD. I leave it blank and I try all kinds of names and passwords and it never goes forward.
 

My Computer

Here is the procedure I used on my Gateway - ages ago. LOL


1. Copy all your own files and folders to an external storage(Disc, USB stick even SD card)
2. Shut the PC off
3. Turn the PC back on and keep hitting the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Option Screen appears
4. Click "Repair Your Computer" –if you are not already on it, use the up and down arrows to maneuver to it and then press ENTER
5. Next you have to pick your country and click OK
6. On the "System Recovery Options Screen" click "RestoreApplication" (last option)
7. Follow the on-screen instructions
8. When prompted, click on "Full Factory Recovery"
9. Click "Next"
10. Click "Yes"
11. Go and have a cup of coffee - don't touch anything - for a while it seemslike nothing is happening
12. After many minutes, recovery will complete and you click "Finish"
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Q6600
    Memory
    4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Hard Drives
    2x250GB HDDs
    1x60GB OCZ SSD
    6 external disks 60 to 640GBs
    Other Info
    Also 1xHP desktop, 1xHP laptop, 1xGateway laptop
WHS,

I've tried that. When I get to your STEP 4 of click "REPAIR COMPUTER" and I do that. The next screen of selecting your country or even the recovery center part doesn't show up.

The next screen that shows up is a screen asking for USERNAME and PASSWORD and it never lets you go past that. Thanks for replying though!
 

My Computer

Just so you know what happens when I press F8 and I click on "REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER" it then loads into a screen that asks for a USERNAME and a PASSWORD. I leave it blank and I try all kinds of names and passwords and it never goes forward.

This is probably the recovery console which runs with the authority of the built in administrator account. That said, the user name is administrator is the password probably blank unless you gave that account a password. Try that and get back to us.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
ok, so here is where i'm at.

I ran everything. MALAWARE seemed to have found stuff and removed things.

I even executed that "unhide" program and now files are back on the desktop.

However, the "system check" shortcut is still on the desktop and also on the lower left taskbar. It doesn't seem that it's running but it's still there.

However, in the start menu, when you go to Programs, most of the folders say "(empty)" and I need to get to the Gateway REcovery Folder.

So now I have access to the computer, but I need to find that recovery folder. I even did a search for it and I can't find it on the computer. I also went to the "temp" folders where the instructions say it could be and it's not there.

So do you know how to run that Partition REcovery Drive from where i'm at right now? Still seems I need to format everything and run that Partition recovery drive somehow. Thanks!
 

My Computer

Did you go step by step, and do every step ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
The only step I didn't do was running RKILL because I was able to rename the system check exe files to generic names and it stopped running. From that point, I ran, Malware, TDSSkiller, Unhide.exe and I even ran the try and restore start menu .exe in the unhide section.

So now at least my computer is running and I can see the desktop and the virus seems to have stopped. but my folders show (empty) in the Start Menu still. :(
 

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