Windows 7: Windows 7 Registry Problem

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop that got impacted by malware in the registry. Taking bad advice, I erased what I thought was the culprit file in the registry. Now my computer will not bootup. I realize that I could reimage the entire hard drive with the recovery disks but I would rather restore back to a safe date. Is that even possible when I cannot use safe mode, safe mode - command prompt, computer repair or any other option? The safe mode choices are offered but they do not function. The blue windows screen appears then blinks. After the computer attempts to bootup, it just shows the windows symbol screen (blue) and periodically blinks, nothing more. Are any of the registry repair freewares viable?

Am I completely hosed? Any help would be greatly appreciated....

Hello Porter and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry to hear about your computer problems. My first reaction is to restore back to factory specs or, if you want to eliminate all factory bloatware, do a clean install.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

The reason I say this is because even if you can repair the damage that's been done in the registry and the rest of the operating system, there's no guarantee that all traces of the malware will be removed, even with numerous anti-malware scans. Having said that, you could try a repair install. This will attempt to fix your currently installed Windows 7 (including the registry) and try to preserve your user accounts, data, programs, system drivers, etc. If successful, you'd have to reinstall Windows Updates. Then you could run any of several free on-demand anti-malware scanners to see if any malware is still present. You will need the installation disk for your version of Windows 7. If you don't have one, you can obtain a free legal copy from the link in the third warning in the tutorial. You would download the ISO file to your desktop and then burn it to a DVD.

Repair Install

Thanks for the input Marsmimar

If I go the clean reinstall route will I lose all my Outlook 2010 emails (current & Saved) or is that data saved on the Microsoft server somewhere that will be retrievable?

I don't use Outlook, but check you hard drive to see if emails are on it, if soo you will lose them. Outlook may store data on their servers too though.

You would need to backup all of your files, including Outlook emails, before doing a clean install. The clean install process will erase everything on the hard drive. I don't use Outlook but it's my understanding you can backup the PST files or use a free add-in to export emails, contacts, appointments, etc. Before attempting a clean install you could post your question in the Browsers & Mail section of the Forum. Or search for previous questions on the best way to backup or export Outlook emails.

How backup mail in outlook 2010 - Microsoft Community

Export Outlook 2010 Mail, Contacts, Notes, Tasks, and Appointments

Thanks guys for the input, but how do I access anything if the computer will not bootup - normal mode, safe mode, safe mode - command prompt etc. - nothing works? The machine starts up and a blue Windows screens appears then just periodically blinks. Apparently, the computer is looking for critical files in the registry - unsuccessful then just hangs up in an endless blinking cycle. Any advice how to get beyond those circumstances?

Hi,

It sounds like you need to do a clean install after having saved your Outlook mail? Was Outlook setup as an IMAP or POP3 account?

You can use this to boot into your computer and then locate the Outlook .PST file to backup, before doing a clean install:

Peppermint3 - Create Live CD/DVD/USB To Use For Emergency Backup

Regards,
Golden

Golden you rock...

The LiLi, Peppermint and technique worked liked a charm. Files are saved safe and sound. In process of clean reinstall/recovery...fingers crossed.

Thanks again for the 411

Golden & Marsmimar...thank you for a wealth of information. System back up and running. Files retrieved and saved. Life is good. To think, Best Buy wanted $199 for the same effort. Geez!

That's great news! Thanks for posting back. Happy New Year.