Cant re-install Win 7 64

ZeroZero said:

I have a music studio and my PC has become infected with a troublesome virus. I have tried to re move this virus but it keeps changing its name and reappearing. Virus checkers are not removing it sucessfully. For some reason possibly related my virus, the system restore points have all disappeared.
I have decided to reinstall windows.

Because my system is complex and took weeks, even months to stabilise, I dont wish to wipe my programs.

When I try to reinstall Win 7 (Ult 64) I find that I have two options a complete wipe (not desired) or a reinstall. However when I choose the reinstall options the system tells me that my current version is younger than the reinstall disk and aborts.

My IE is currently not functioning on this machine.

Can anyone advise please

Welcome to SevenForums.


Hold off on that reinstall.

That reinstall may not be needed.

In either case, to get rid of your nasty malware AND
a reinstall will NOT get rid of it
THEN
click on the WDO link in my signature.
Download WDO
There will be instructions there

WDO is WINDOWS DEFENDER OFFLINE which is NOT Windows Defender.
Very poor naming by Microsoft.

Here's 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
Upload the four log files please.
=========================================

Edwar,

Not true at all.

By following the advice I've given, then there will be ZERO need to wipe the disk.

Very, very doubtful that a simple virus checker is going to fix your problem.

Use Windows Defender Offline as I recommended.

You need industrial grade anti-malware AFTER running Windows Defender Offline. I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials, MSE with link in my signature.

Understanding Microsoft Anti-Malware Software 2012 ~ Security Garden

I'm awaiting the four log files generated by Windows Defender Offline. That word OFFLINE is extremely important. A normal, online av will not be able to detect some rather evil and clever malware.

That is a VERY unusual ASUS board that won't let you boot from USB.

Please complete your System Specs, after which we will be able to advise you as to how to boot from USB.

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

Add the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.
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