Restore Point Woes

[Vaioguy]

Hi all,

So it starts like this: I was fiddling around on the internet when a window on my desktop pops up and says that classic fake virus report that scammers use to get you to download more viruses (I've seen my share of these fiends) and so i decide to do a system restore from earlier in the day. It restores but says "system restore failed" i try again to an earlier date but again nothing. I use my iTouch (of which i am using now) to try and find a solution and one thread on this site someone recommended doing it again from Safe Mode so i set my computer to boot into safe mode only now i'm stuck in Safe Mode because the laptop i use has a broken screen making me rely on an external monitor that while connected doesnt register anything but a normal boot. Any help would be apprechiated. Using a Sony VAIO VGN-FW463J/T laptop with a Hanns-G monitor via a VGA cable.

Editt: Oh and forgot to clarify i cannot see anything in safe mode or anything before the login screen.

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi & welcome,

First & perhaps not least, this might be a good time to repair the screen! If that is not possible it is going to be difficult to give concise instructions.

Down twice & so on, to navigate you through menus & out of your current situation.

Try this: -

Power on & let it start to boot, when it does, press the power button (5 secs) to power off.

Next boot it should "pause" in the boot up screen for 30 secs or so. when it does press the down arrow & press enter. This should select normal boot & you should start windows normally, well for you anyway.

Post back if it works & we will look at it again. OK?

 

[Vaioguy]

Thanks for the assist, I will try it out as soon as I am able, at work right now so probrably around one am

 

[Vaioguy]

Unfortunate news: I've tried what you said ten times and nothing has come of it, I even tried alternating numbers of down arrows. When I turn it off suddenly it doesn't "sound" the same as it normally does when I suddenly had turned it off before. Re-reading my posts I wasn't sure I was clear but I set in msconfig the option to always start in safe mode, so I'm not sure if it's even registering a start-up error, but that could just be me.

 

[Vaioguy]

Update: I've been trying to blind shortcut my way in by doing the following:
1) windows + r (Run menu)
2) msconfig + enter (Opening msconfig)
3) tab four times (Getting to the columns)
4) right arrow once (Getting to the RIGHT column)
5) alt+f (Safe Mode)
6) alt+a (Accept)

But I am having no luck. The shortcut list mentioned above is based on this netbook's Vista Starter thing, so maybe it's different? To be honest I'm not really sure what version of Vista is on my laptop I'm trying to fix since it came with it.

 

[Vaioguy]

MAJOR UPDATE: Breakthrough! Enough repeated tries led me to a normal start-up - woo

 

[Lottiemansion]

OK, well done.

Sorry I've not been much help to you but at last your up & running again.

I would still recommend repairing the laptop screen! Even if it is only to prevent the last activity.

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi all,

So it starts like this: I was fiddling around on the internet when a window on my desktop pops up and says that classic fake virus report that scammers use to get you to download more viruses (I've seen my share of these fiends) and so i decide to do a system restore from earlier in the day. It restores but says "system restore failed" i try again to an earlier date but again nothing.

Right, now that is sorted what are your intentions for the original problem above.

Please complete a malware system check & a full system virus scan: -

Malwarebytes

What anti-virus software have you installed?

Try this on-line scanner: -

Free Virus Scan - Free Antivirus Software | Norton Security Scan

 

[Vaioguy]

Unfortunately both internet explorer and firefox are failing to connect to the internet (but it still works when I use Steam or Trillian) citing some sort of proxy error. I will post the exact error message asap. I used to have Norton 360 but the subscription ran out so I'm stuck with Windows Defender. I ordered a new LCD screen so I should get that in three-five days.

And no, you are helping quite a bit and I'd certainly like to thank you for your time and assistance.

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hello & OK,

Did the problem start when Norton expired? As I think your problem is with the windows firewall settings (I hate it).

Are you going to re-activate Norton? If not, I need assistance with the Windows stuff, so please bear with me & I will ask for it.

I will watch for your next post, as I can help you with Norton. OK?

 

[richc46]

Maybe this article about the Windows firewall will help you to set up rules to allow whatever is necessary
How to Make the Windows Firewall Better on Vista | eHow.com
This may, also, help
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766312(WS.10).aspx

 

[Vaioguy]

My Norton's been expired for almost 4 months now, so I might've been asking for this to happen. I'll try the firewall thing. I might reactivate it after this whole fiasco is over with but I cannot reactivate because it will not connect to the internet to allow for reactivation. The error message I am getting is "The proxy server is refusing connections" "Firefox is configured to use a proxy server that is refusing connections"

 

[richc46]

May I further suggest, forget Norton and all that expense. As soon as you can uninstall Norton, and download and start using Microsoft Security Essentials. Its made for Windows, its free and works great.
http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080710133834EN&ln=en_US

 

[Vaioguy]

Thank you to the both of you my problem is indeed solved. I did a bare-essenstall start, tried to do a system restore but got an error message about Shadow not running (???) and then did a normal boot and for some reason restore system worked fine this time. I'm downloading Microsoft Security Essentials as we speak. Thank you both. I'll report back if this is just the calm before the storm.

 

[richc46]

If you removed Norton correctly with the uninstall tool, you should be ok.
Make sure that it is completely removed or it will come back to haunt you. Probably a BSOD.