Windows 7 startup repair

khanhoa · 03 Jan 2012

I was working on my son's computer, which has Win 7 Pro OS. The computer got attacked by a so-called Antivirus Win 7 2012 virus. After I had that removed and later downloaded Microsoft Essentials Security to prevent attacking from virus... it was working fine until I got an alert from the Microsoft Essentials Security indicating that I needed to restart the computer. I did just that; and the computer went right into startup repair menu. After several attempts, the computer cannot reboot to Windows. I cannot even access it using SafeMode. I have been trying to repair it using Recovery Disk; and the problem was still the same.
Please help me since this was a new computer that my son let me borrow while he is away from home.

Lemur · 03 Jan 2012

You might try using an anti-virus rescue cd.

Rescue CD | PC Rescue and Repair Toolkit | AVG Worldwide

khanhoa · 04 Jan 2012

Lemur:

Thanks for the help! I will try that later and let you know the status...

gregrocker · 04 Jan 2012

Another option which just worked for someone with that infection is booting Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.

Then once Win7 is disinfected if it won't start, run Startup Repair repeatedly from System Recovery Options.

Startup Repair should automate SFC but if not run it from Options Command line: SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot

If you can get into Desktop or Safe Mode at any point, run Malwarebytes full scan, replace your AV with Microsoft Security Essentials and run a Full Scan.

Solidwave · 05 Jan 2012

If this is a new computer with no data on it you want to keep, consider doing a recovery install. A complete reinstall is the only way to be sure a malware infestation has been removed.

When you get the computer working again, make sure you keep your web browser, Flash plugin, Acrobat plugin and Java (if installed) updated. Keeping your web-facing software updated is the only effective defense you have against being infected by web attack malware such as fake antivirus software.

ReviverSoft · 05 Jan 2012

^ Yeah, +1 to that.

A fresh start works best, and this time, you need to make sure the PC is secure, by installing an effective anti-virus program and utilities like Malwarebytes & SuperAntiSpyware for passive scans.

If you do have data that needs backing up, consider using a LiveCD to access the hard drive's contents and copy it to a different drive or storage medium.

theog · 05 Jan 2012

For better help with problems, Can you post your specs.
Filling out System Specs
System Info - See Your System Specs

Dont Know What Hardware You Have..??
VistaForums SysInfo Tool - Vista Forums

MakaPaka · 05 Jan 2012

how to perform recover install?

khanhoa · 05 Jan 2012

Thank you all for giving me the information and instruction on this problem...
I did everything like what Lemur has suggested. It went through very detailed sacn and found no virus. Startup repair diagnostic showed OS was boot sucessfully; however, I still cannot reboot to Windows. There was also a message indicating there may have been a camera, a flash drive plugged into the computer and need to be removed. I did not have anything plugged in at all. The only thing was my wireless mouse. Any other suggestion before I ask my son to reinstall Windows 7. I do not really want to do that since there may have been other things that he has installed in the computer.
Thanks for the help in advance...

Lemur · 05 Jan 2012

This is a suggested solution:

Remove Win 7 Antispyware 2012 and Vista Antivirus 2012 name changing rogue (Uninstall Guide)

However, if you cannot boot the computer, and if the DVD repair does not work, you very well may have to reinstall the OS.