Windows 7 only works on safe mode -control panel says WD not activated

manino17 · 16 Sep 2012

Hello

My computer has started to play up after some updates were installed 2 days ago. I have tried system restore, but the tab for this is inexistent. Have been told to change some things in registery (Volume something, can't remember what's it's called now...) - I checked and sure enough, it's disabled and can only be stated in normal mode.

Problem is the computer only works on safe mode, and the system manager says that windows activation status is not available, nor is the product ID. I have the product key (on the back of the computer) but can't do anything about it in safe mode.

I'm desperately trying to avoid reinstalling windows from stratch because it's a pain, but also because I feel the answer is right under my nose and I can't find it.

I'm not computer literate but I'm a very fast learner so if you have an awnswer to this, I'd be very very very grateful!

NoelDP · 16 Sep 2012

Have you been using any form of Registry Cleaner?

The non-genuine problem is the result of other problems - start by performing routine system checks....

Please run a full CHKDSK and SFC scan....
Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories
Right-click on the Command Prompt entry
Select Run as Administrator and accept the UAC prompt - the Elevated Command Prompt window should pop up.

At the Command prompt, type
CHKDSK C: /R
and hit the Enter key.

You will be told that the drive is locked,
and the CHKDSK will run at he next boot - hit the Y key, and then reboot.
The chkdsk will take a few hours depending on the size of the drive, so be patient!
After the CHKDSK has run, Windows should boot normally (possibly after a second auto-reboot) - then run the SFC.

SFC -System File Checker - Instructions
Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories
Right-click on the Command Prompt entry
Select Run as Administrator and accept the UAC prompt - the Elevated Command Prompt window should pop up.
At the Command prompt, type
SFC /SCANNOW
and hit the Enter key

Wait for the scan to finish - make a note of any error messages - and then reboot.
Copy the CBS.log file created to your desktop (you can't manipulate it directly) and then compress the copy and upload it to your SkyDrive (http://skydrive.live.com ) and post a link to it so that I can take a look.

manino17 · 16 Sep 2012

Thanks for taking the time to reply - only problem with your very kind answer: I have no idea what a CBD.log file is, never mind copying, compressing or posting a link to it! Like I said, I'm computer illiterate but willing to learn!

NoelDP · 16 Sep 2012

Just follow the instructions as far as you can - I'll give detailed instructions in a jiffy :)

NoelDP · 16 Sep 2012

SFC /SCANNOW adds a lot of data to a file called CBS.log - which tells us what it's had to do, and what it's left undone

This file is permanently in use by the system and so only limited work can be done on it directly - so we need to copy it to the desktop before we fiddle with it
To do this you use Windows Explorer (Start > Computer)

In the address bar at the top, type
C:\Windows\logs\CBS
and hit the Enter key
the main pane should now show a number of files - one will be the CBS.log file we're looking for

Because of default settings you may not be able to see the .log extension - but don't worry, it's there!
right-click on the CBS.log file (or just CBS) and select Copy
Now in the left pane, right-click on Desktop (in Favorites)
Select Paste
Minimise the window, and you should be able to find the CBS(.log) file on the desktop

right-click on it and select
Send to...
Compressed (zipped) folder
Accept the defaults - another new file should appear on the desktop.

Now start a reply here, and click on the paper-clip - this will open a small window for your attachment.
Click on the Browse button - in the left pane of the new popup, select Desktop
find the CBS(.zip) Compressed/zipped file and highlight it by a left-click.
click OK once

now click the Upload button
Wait for the file to be uploaded, and close the attachments window (if it doesn't close automatically)
then put any comments in your reply, and click Submit.

manino17 · 16 Sep 2012

First off, I really appreciate you taking the time to give me such comprehensive instructions.

So I did the CHKDSK thing, which lead to nowhere: it says it couldn't perform the check as there was a problem when installing the last updates (which I knew already), and that the 'volume is used by another process' (no idea what this even means!). I was instructed to use system restore and choose a restore point previous to the date of the installation; I'd love to be able to do this but can't as the system restore is missing (not just the tab, the whole thing doesn't even show in the regedit thing).

I did the sfc thing (hopefully what I have attached will make sense to you!), which didn't last long: it stopped after completing 19% of the verification. It said 'windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation'.

All this doesn't look too good to me, but I'm still hopeful something can be done about it, even on safe mode.

manino17 · 16 Sep 2012

Incidentally, the sound isn't working and troubleshhoting has found the following:

Both the Windows Audio and the Windows Audio End Point Builder services must be running for audio to work correctly. Atleast one of these services isn't running.

I have an inkling it's all related but I know from experience that a hunch oesn't help much unless you actually know what you're doing!

NoelDP · 16 Sep 2012

Please read what I wrote about the CHKDSK

You will be told that the drive is locked,
and the CHKDSK will run at he next boot - hit the Y key, and then reboot.

manino17 · 16 Sep 2012

When I did it it said
The type of the file system is NTFS
Cannot lock current drive
CHKDS cannot run because the volume is used by another process. Would you like to reschedule the volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? I hit Y, reboot and get a message to say I have to do a system restore, which I can't do.

NoelDP · 16 Sep 2012

Looking at the CBS log, it shows that it did run - and found no problems.
It did do a fair amount of tidying up though.

I asked before if you'd been using a Registry Cleaner of some kind - but you neglected to answer. Please do so.