Thanks! I downloaded malwarebytes in safe mode and ran a full scan and it detected 17 issues. It removed them and restarted my computer. The problems still continue... I don't know what to do now. If I reinstall the operating system will I lose adobe illustrator, photoshop and fl studio? Can I put them on a flash drive? Thanks
As I told you, removing the malware will not help. The problems will persist. Your only true option is to reinstall.
And yes, you will lose everything. Your data can be saved but the programs you have to reinstall.
You should have the disks or installers for these programs and the Product Keys to use for reinstall, just as you should have a clean copy of your files backed up at all times. Anything less is reckless.
You say you "don't know what to do now" but there are over a dozen steps that come next that you should be following if you're not ready to jump to the reinstall.
You'll need to borrow another PC to print out the necessary tutorials and produce the Win7 installer DVD or flash stick provided to do Repairs or Reinstall.
If you save any files, be sure that they are scanned with MB and your AV before reimporting them back into the clean install. You can rescue files which from unbootable Win7 using Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console .
You might be able to run Factory Recovery to reinstall the OS but it will have all of the preinstalled Factory bloatware which is an inferior install.
If you follow the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 it will help you save everything needed and preserve software Product Keys needed for reinstall. Then using only the tools and methods given for the reinstall will assure you get and keep a perfect install.
Last edited by gregrocker; 20 Mar 2013 at 17:56.
Tell me the make of your PC (Dell, HP, Acer, or whatever). Maybe I have the easy procedure to install from the recovery partition.
Gregs tutorials give you instructions to make a clean install (which would be nice), but that may be a bit over your head.
And do you know how to save your files ??
I have a dell inspiron 1545..
I dont understand a clean install really.. I don't know how to save files.. Sorry lol. I have a 4gb flash drive and I want to save some programs but I cant find the product keys. Can I retrieve them from the program that's installed already without contacting the company..? I have photoshop, illustrator, and fl studio. Thanks man!!
1. To reinstall a Dell from the recovery partition, this is the procedure:
· Unplug all the devices and drivers from your CPU (except the keyboard and the mouse), including your printer, camera and memory stick.
· Shut off the computer and then turn it on, or simply restart it.
· As soon as you see the Dell logo at the start keep on hitting the F8 key repeatedly. Do not stop until you see the screen that says "Repair your computer." There will be other options too but chose this option and hit Enter.
· Next you will see a prompt window giving you options to select the keyboard layout select from the drop-down menu "US" and click "OK."
· On the next screen you will be asked to select the user ID and the password of your Windows account. Select your user account, but make sure your user account has administrative functions. Type in your password. If you don't have a password, leave it blank and click "OK."
· Now you will come to a window with multiple options. Choose the one at the bottom that reads, "Dell Factory Image Restore." By clicking "Dell Factory Image Restore" , it will generate an operation that will take about 45 minutes to complete.
2. Saving programs makes no sense. You will have to reinstall those programs. If you have not saved the product keys, you will have to get them from the companies that own the programs. Next time, run Belarc advisor and store it in a safe place. That lists all your product keys and more. Try to run the advisor in safe mode, maybe it works.
3. For saving your data files, you need some live CD with which you can boot the dead system. This is a popular one:
Lucid Puppy way to recover files from a non-bootable computer
But you need access to another computer to burn the CD.
But here again, if you can copy them to your stick in safe mode, that would be the easiest.
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