Seems Like Cascading Failure - Is Reinstall The Only Option?

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  1.    #11

    You don't seem to know that Win7 is driver-complete in the installer and then via optional Windows Updates. Only one or two drivers may be missing after that which are easily found on the model's Support Downloads webpage.

    The corruption from bloatware is insidious and does not end when you stop the crap from running at startup. The only way to get clean is to do the reinstall. Until then you don't even have Win7 but a ruined version of it. Of course, we are purists here at its home.

    You mention it several times so have you tried a Repair Install?

    I would run at least one bootable AV like Bitdefender or Kapersky first. These will clear you for Repair Install since going through it on an infected system is likely fatal.

    But if you're going to reinstall the OS as a Repair INstall does, you might as well do the perfect reinstall. Why argue with having the proven best vs. having the absolute worst?
      My Computer

  2.    #12

    Can we see exactly what's happening when you try to download and install Malwarebytes?

    Use the Problem Steps Recorder - Windows 7 Help Forums

    Try first normally and then in Safe Mode

    Then attach the Recorder file in reply box using the paper clip. If necessary you may need to rightclick to Send to: Zip file to attach it.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 678
    Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #13

    gregrocker said:
    You mention it several times so have you tried a Repair Install?
    What an idiot I am!!! Let's just chalk it up to a senior moment... Of course I know about Repair Install on Windows 7. I had somehow forgotten it.

    I have a Dell 64 bit Home Premium SP1 disk. I just wanted to see what would happen if I tried it. Selecting the upgrade goes through a checking compatibility process. When it generates the Compatibility Report, it says, The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, complete each task.... (blah, blah)... These programs might not work properly after the upgrade. We recommend uninstalling before upgrading.

    itunes (please deauthorize computer prior to upgrade).

    So now I've come full circle, since my daughter's complaint about itunes was the first indicator that something was amiss.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 678
    Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #14

    gregrocker said:
    Can we see exactly what's happening when you try to download and install Malwarebytes?

    Use the Problem Steps Recorder - Windows 7 Help Forums

    Try first normally and then in Safe Mode

    Then attach the Recorder file in reply box using the paper clip. If necessary you may need to rightclick to Send to: Zip file to attach it.
    This is normal mode. I can do safe mode if you'd like, but it'll pretty much look the same
    Seems Like Cascading Failure - Is Reinstall The Only Option? Attached Files
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  5. Posts : 678
    Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Safe Mode Install Malwarebytes

    Pretty neat tool. You need to see what happens when I try to update Windows, or install Chrome, or SuperAntiSpyware, or run Internet Explorer, etc...
    Seems Like Cascading Failure - Is Reinstall The Only Option? Attached Files
      My Computer

  6.    #16

    Deauthorizing Itunes is standard for any reinstall. You can sign back in afterwards.

    The zip files are empty on this end
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 678
    Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #17

    The Zip files are on this laptop, however when I went to manage attachments and clicked on the 'Browse' button, nothing happened. I was never taken to explorer where I could navigate to the files and select them. So I typed the path into the lower box that reads 'Upload a file from a URL'. It did populate the correct name of the file into the attachment, so I hoped it would work. I'll copy the zip files onto a thumb drive and use another PC to upload them. Sorry about that. I guess that whole Manage Attachments problem is simply another indicator that her laptop is rapidly descending into PC Hell.

    I'll have to look up how to de-authorize itunes. My personal taste in music is so esoteric I'd be surprised if itunes carried much of anything I liked.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 678
    Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #18

    Resubmit of PSR Files. Curious that when I clicked Manage Attachments on this laptop, the Browse box was on the left. On the problem laptop Browse was on the right. Different OS? Or another sign of doom?
    Seems Like Cascading Failure - Is Reinstall The Only Option? Attached Files
      My Computer

  9.    #19

    Nice job with the steps recorder.

    Always run an .exe by rightclicking to Run as Admin. Try that now.

    However when we google the error message we see it's likely related to serious infection. So what I would do is run the BitDefender and Kapersky rescue disk full scans from FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List.

    This may give you something to go on so that our Security experts can guide you with the proper solution.

    At any point you can save time and frustration by backing up files to quarantine to later be scanned with MBAM and MSE, wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command, then do the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 with our help to get it perfect. This will end with a perfect install instead of the infected grossly inferior factory install you are trying to salvage which would never be more than the worst install of Win7 one can have anyway.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 678
    Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #20

    gregrocker said:
    Nice job with the steps recorder.

    Always run an .exe by rightclicking to Run as Admin. Try that now.
    Didn't do it on the recording just to save a step, but believe me, it makes not a whit of difference. I pretty much always run as admin on any OS higher than XP.
    gregrocker said:
    However when we google the error message we see it's likely related to serious infection. So what I would do is run the BitDefender and Kapersky rescue disk full scans from FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List.
    Serious infection that wasn't detected on a full MSE scan? Or an MBar scan? Or TDSSKiller? (sigh...) Will download BitDefender and create an ISO CD (or does it have to be a DVD?) tomorrow, using a different PC. Again.
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