Keni
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Windows Won't Start
Hi Gang...
I'm trying to build a DAW for mobile work. In the process of cleaning up the machine (adware junk) and the myriad of things being tried to do the cleanup, windows won't start...
Win7 Pro
When I start the machine it gets to the point of where the login should appear but instead I briefly see a string of odd characters then nothing...
I tried safe mode but the same thing happens.
I did just disable a few services in the computer setup (administrator tools) and I'm thinking it might be involved?
The machine came pre installed so there is no disk, but I do have the install disk for the version installed on my main DAW...
Any help would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks!
Keni
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Doktor Avalanche 
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/04 22:02:34
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If you are getting a string of odd characters and then nothing I'm speculating you are infected. I would at least expect a BSOD. If you can't boot in safe mode or do a rollback when pressing F8, or you don't have an offline backup you don't have much choice . http://www.bleepingcomput...-recovery-environment/You might be able to get into repair mode via F8 at boot. The setup files might be located on a seperate partition. Otherwise you need to copy windows setup files from cd to a USB stick or something, assuming you have the right setup files. And you will need to make the USB strick bootable. Once it is up and running your priority should be a full virus scan with up to date scanner. For malware I recommend malwarebytes. After that buy something like Acronis Trueimage! Cheers...
post edited by Doktor Avalanche - 2015/06/04 22:09:32
Sonar Platinum(64 bit),Win 8.1(64 bit),Saffire Pro 40(Firewire),Mix Control = 3.6,Firewire=VIA,Dell Studio XPS 8100(Intel Core i7 CPU 2.93 Ghz/16 Gb),2 x 1TB SSD (Samsung EVO 850),GeForce GTX 460,Yamaha DGX-505 keyboard,Roland A-300PRO,Roland SPD-30 V2,FD-8,Triggera Krigg,Shure SM7B,Yamaha HS5. Rap Pro,Maschine Studio+Komplete 9 Ultimate+Kontrol Z1,Addictive Keys,Waves Silver,Izotope Nectar elements,Overloud Bundle,Geist,Acronis True Image 2015.
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TerraSin
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/04 23:11:39
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Most laptops don't come with a disk anymore but keeps the install files on a separate partition on the hard drive. Google the model of laptop you're using along with recovery and it should tell you how to do a complete format/reinstall of the OS. It's usually as simple as hitting a button at startup.
Once you do that, you should be golden. Chances are you removed something you shouldn't have by the sounds of it.
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Keni
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 00:16:32
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Thanks Dok and TerraSin...
Yeah, I'm guessing I fouled something got malware do by ads by name and ads by cloud(something)... Can't seem to get them off...
I was researching this evening and found an ISO file I can download and using a until create either a bootable DVDs or thumb drive with which I can re-install using the upgrade option?
Tomorrow at the shop I will try to do this.
The machine is not a laptop... It's a Dell i5 quad with 8G... I'm sure there's a partition as I know dell does this so I will search first and see if I can re-install without being able to get into windows...
Thanks!
Keni
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Grem
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 01:33:29
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Learn to make restore points *before* you do anymore.cleaning!! : )
Grem
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fireberd
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 06:54:12
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☄ Helpfulby TerraSin 2015/06/05 09:14:18
Dell has a recovery partition on the hard drive, accessed by F8 at power on. This has (or used to have) a couple of options to try and fix it. One option is to restore to the original factory disk image. No CD's are required for this.
"GCSG Productions" Franklin D-10 Pedal Steel Guitar (primary instrument). Nashville Telecaster, Bass, etc. ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero M/B, i7 6700K CPU, 16GB Ram, SSD and conventional hard drives, Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Pro Insider Pre-Release Sonar Platinum/CbB. MOTU 896MK3 Hybrid, Tranzport, X-Touch, JBL LSR308 Monitors, Ozone 5, Studio One 4.1 ISRC Registered Member of Nashville based R.O.P.E. Assn.
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TerraSin
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 09:10:36
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If you do what Fireberd said, you can just do a complete format which will wipe everything from the drive and give you a clean install so you won't need to worry about malware being on the computer when it gets loaded.
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Keni
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 12:24:14
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Grem
Learn to make restore points *before* you do anymore.cleaning!! : )
I did! But I can't get into windows to run it!
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Keni
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 12:27:54
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fireberd
Dell has a recovery partition on the hard drive, accessed by F8 at power on. This has (or used to have) a couple of options to try and fix it. One option is to restore to the original factory disk image. No CD's are required for this.
Thanks firebird... But to add insult to injury, I had to find a way to force the boot options to appear as f8 isn't working either. ...and the window I'm presented doesn't offer the repair options... Only 3 choices of safe, normal, and safe with network/command prompt... All hang the same way... I get the windows login wallpaper, but no login dialog appears and the machine simply sits there with an occasional blink... Keni
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slartabartfast
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 12:57:55
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fireberd
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 13:20:27
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What you are seeing is at Windows, if you hit F8 before Windows starts to load you get those options.
The F8 I'm referring to is initially at power on. When the PC is powered on it does a "POST" (Power On Self Test) and you should get a Dell splash screen. Its at that point that you press F8.
"GCSG Productions" Franklin D-10 Pedal Steel Guitar (primary instrument). Nashville Telecaster, Bass, etc. ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero M/B, i7 6700K CPU, 16GB Ram, SSD and conventional hard drives, Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Pro Insider Pre-Release Sonar Platinum/CbB. MOTU 896MK3 Hybrid, Tranzport, X-Touch, JBL LSR308 Monitors, Ozone 5, Studio One 4.1 ISRC Registered Member of Nashville based R.O.P.E. Assn.
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robert_e_bone
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 16:35:23
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If you have data on the hard drive(s) in that computer, you might consider pulling the drives out and putting them into a different computer, then scrubbing the drives using MalwareBytes and a full virus software scan, followed by backing up any critical data files (like existing Sonar projects or documents). Because the 2nd computer would be reading those drives as data only, and not trying to boot from them, you can use the 2nd computer's antivirus software and a free version of MalwareBytes (or the trial of the fancier one) to clean off the data files from those drives. Just make sure you scrub them prior to backing up their data contents, and skip doing any other access of any system files/folders from those drives - you just want to retain any data from them.
I hope that helps you preserve things you might not easily replace. If your problematic computer stored documents and projects and such on a different hard drive then its C: drive, then you can reload Windows on the bad C: without affecting any other drives present in that computer, though I would still do a thorough/full antivirus scan and run MalwareBytes on those drives in any case.
Bob Bone
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Keni
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 20:15:26
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Thanks Gang...
I managed the first step. Using my win7 disk from my main DAW (OEM) I ran repair. Startup repair didn't help, but system restore did...
Now I'm back to trying to remove the ads by name criminal...
So far unsuccessful, but I just got some more info to try tomorrow...
I've been afraid to install MalwareBytes thinking it will add more malware... Hard to know which programs are both legit and a clean download/install... If this next attempt doesn't work I will try that route...
In trying to clean Firefox, after uninstalling it and erasing its folders everywhere, I could not delete the fokder from appdata/roaming. The warning keeps telling me I need permission from me? I'm already logged in as administrator and there doesn't appear to be a way to do this as you can "run as administrator" for a program... What do I need to do to deal with this?
Currently the machine only has the single drive and Sonar is installed but not yet really setup or used... I will do these things once I get it cleaned up enough...
McAfee reports the drive clean and I've manually removed numerous softwares and installers... I'm getting close...
So I thank you all for the good info and directions... I will post more after my next bout with it tomorrow...
Thanks fireberd, TerraSin, slartabartfast, and robert for all helping me with this little project! I hope I can return the kindness when you're in need!
Keni
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slartabartfast
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 22:21:59
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Keni
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/05 23:47:02
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slartabartfast
OK, so if you got back into Windows, make a restore disk and a backup disk before this happens again.
http://www.dell.com/suppo.../SLN130027/en#OSRetore
Thanks... I did a very full backup today prior to any further actions... It's not really good as it's got the adware junk, but everything else is fine... Tomorrow I will create a dell restore disk... You'd never know that I work on many dell machines and I used to be a PC tech for EDS who at that time did all the Dell repairs for Northern California! ;-) Keni
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ØSkald
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/06 12:19:02
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Doktor Avalanche
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Re: Windows Won't Start
2015/06/06 13:35:09
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Please DON'T be afraid to run Malwarebytes. It is probably the best Malware scanner there is. You should run after any standard virus scan. It's essential.l! If you have difficulties removing malware and viruses try running the utils in safe mode after you've first run them in normal windows..
post edited by Doktor Avalanche - 2015/06/06 13:42:29
Sonar Platinum(64 bit),Win 8.1(64 bit),Saffire Pro 40(Firewire),Mix Control = 3.6,Firewire=VIA,Dell Studio XPS 8100(Intel Core i7 CPU 2.93 Ghz/16 Gb),2 x 1TB SSD (Samsung EVO 850),GeForce GTX 460,Yamaha DGX-505 keyboard,Roland A-300PRO,Roland SPD-30 V2,FD-8,Triggera Krigg,Shure SM7B,Yamaha HS5. Rap Pro,Maschine Studio+Komplete 9 Ultimate+Kontrol Z1,Addictive Keys,Waves Silver,Izotope Nectar elements,Overloud Bundle,Geist,Acronis True Image 2015.
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