Device Manager and Administrative Tools do not open

karlsnooks said:

So this one gave you an error?
Name : devmgmt.msc
Directory : C:\Windows\System32
Length : 145640

If yes, then what was the error?

It gives me the same message in a new window as the snapshots i attached in my original post. Snapshot 2 and 3

"navigation to the webpage was cancelled"
and the MMC error when i click on refresh.

karlsnooks said:

First, let's try replacing the file.

Now you will find this easier to do by booting from a System Repair Disc and then replacing the file. This is due to permission problems. Win 7 balks when you overwrite, rename a file in systems32.

CREATE A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC

START | type System Repair | Enter key | Create Disc button

It prompted me to enter a blank DVD which i dont have handy right now. Would you be available for assistance after a few hours?
Ill be tied up with a few hours of work after 30 mins.

karlsnooks said:

I'm getting ready to crash myself so will be at least 12 hours before I'm available again.

After doing further research, I have two recommendations:
1. Uninstall whatever anti-virus/anti-anything/firewall that you are using.
2. Install Microsoft Security Essentials, MSE, link in my signature.
3. After that then click on the WDO link in my signature. Put WDO on a usb stick and run WDO.
Windows Defender Offline is NOT Windows Defender.
Once again Microsoft chose a horrible name.

here is the procedure I use with WDO.

HOW TO USE WINDOWS DEFENDER OFFLINE ON A USB STICK
Windows Defender Offline
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 764 kB)

You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


INSTALLATION:
You will need an Internet Connection.
Insert 512 mB (Microsoft’s 256 mB is no longer accurate) or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
NEXT button
Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
NEXT button
NEXT button
.
The install program will format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
The install program will download about 210 mB.
The install program will name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
The WDO_Media32 usb stick will have used space of 255 mB (268,140,544 bytes)
The WDO_Media64 usb stick will have used space of 282 mB (296,165,376 bytes)
You can expect the number of mB to increase as more malware appears.

UPDATE Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download about 66 mB (mssstool32.exe) and 68 mB (mssstool64.exe).

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.


RESULTS OF THE SCAN
The results will be in 4 log files in:
\Windows\Microsoft Antimalware\Support
===============================================

These will keep me busy for a while. Ill keep you posted about how it goes probably after 12 hours or so.

You've been great help to me.

karlsnooks said:

I'm getting ready to crash myself so will be at least 12 hours before I'm available again.

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.


RESULTS OF THE SCAN
The results will be in 4 log files in:
\Windows\Microsoft Antimalware\Support
===============================================

Hi again,

sorry for the late reply.
Ok I think i get the gist here, basically am supposed to get rid of any malware before repairing the damage done by it.

I was reading about WDO earlier this morning, apparently it can takes upto 6 or 8 hours for a full scan. Honestly, i need my PC quite frequently (after every few hours) for my work. So i might have to push it until next month.

Is the system recovery disk method a quicker way for a temporary work around until month end? Or would it make no sense replacing the file before scanning for malware?

karlsnooks said:

incidentally, as soon as quick scan is finished, you can start the full scan and go to sleep and let computer work while you sleep.

i started installing it on the USB, it started downloading 260mb of data.

My net speed is awful and has frequent disconnections. So i guess this will take a while to complete. Pray i can pause it in intervals.

Ill run the scan once its done.

hi karl...
Sorry for the delay.

I finished installing the defender in a USB.
Will scan my machine tonight and show u the logs