(Assuming it is the registry) You could perhaps try restoring the registry as described here (make sure to backup the registry first) - Startup Repair Infinite Loop Recovery
Then there is Tweaking.com - Windows Repair if that fails
And of course last resort Repair Install - Repair Install
Unfortunately it didn't work to simply switch it back to a 'Standard' account. I have now fixed this (See Below).
Cheers for this GokAy, I used the 2nd option in the list and went to Tweaking.com's tool - this worked amazingly as I only ran the registry fix tool and after a restart the 'Standard' accounts started working again. I think due to the sheer number of infections this computer had, something had corrupted and destroyed parts of the registry and SFC couldn't fix those issues but the tool you linked could.
The PC is working great now - only 1 issue is left (that I didn't notice before) - sound is only coming out of one speaker (this is a desktop pc with logitech speakers) I have tested the speakers using my phone and another computer and sound comes out of both speakers fine, it's just when its plugged into this PC. Ive tried disabling and Re-enabling the Realtek sound driver and i've also tried to uninstall the driver but still the problems there.
Any ideas?
Great to hear :)
Hmm, the sound issue.. Did you try both back and front panels? Maybe the jack turned bad?
Check with another sound source too, WMP if using IE or vice versa.
Also check balance of the playback device (sound icon - right click - playback devices - property of the device used - levels - balance - set to 100 for both).
Does the sound work ok if you attach a headphones?
I would advise against random use of the tweaking.com tool - it has a nasty habit of opening permissions to an unacceptable levels.
(e.g. grant Everyone FULL access to all files in the Windows folder?! )
Please open an Elevated Command Prompt, and run the following commands, so we can see if that's happened here...
ICACLS C:\Windows
ICACLS C:\Windows\System32
ICACLS C:\Users
DIR C:\Users
post the results...
Here are some instructions to make life easier :)
1) To open an Elevated Command Prompt Window (the ECP window), click on Start, All Programs, Accessories – then right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator. Accept the UAC prompt.
2) To run the commands easier, highlight the block of commands, and right-click on the highlight – select Copy. In the CP Window, click on the black/white icon at top left – select Paste. The commands will run but may not complete the last command, so hit the Enter Key once.
3) To copy the results... click on the Black/White icon in the top left, and select Edit... 'Select All', and hit the Enter key - then use Ctrl+V or r-click+Paste to paste it into your response.
I have heard of the permission issue before in the forums, that's why I do not advice using it any more unless I feel it is absolutely necessary. However, some searching and perhaps it has been fixed.
And from 3.5.0v2.4.1
Reset File Permissions has been improved. The reset file permissions normally skips the profile folders on the system. This was due to a odd bug in Windows Vista, 7 and newer where if "Everyone" permissions was set on a folder under the user profile Windows would think it is shared when it wasn't. Well after helping a user who had a lot of problems on their system it turned out to be because somehow the user had removed "Administrators" and "System" from all the permissions on the folders and files of the profile. Once those where put back everything worked. So I knew I had to get the profiles added to the repair. The new changes will update all the profile folders properly and only add administrators and system, not everyone. Also for the current user profile folder it will also add the current user as it should be that way.
Perhaps a Repair Install in case permissions have been compromised will help.Removed the "Everyone" group from the permissions repairs (Unless it is part of any of the defaults). It use to be set with full access to fix odd bugs. but it was a security hole as on some systems you can enable an anonymous user to be part of the everyone group, and thus have full access.
Thanks guys for all your help, the sound issue was sorted after updating to a newer sound driver (took some searching but I eventually found one).
The issue with the accounts not opening was down to something wrong in the registry (was fixed by the Tweaking.com Tool)
I have now handed the PC back to them so unfortunately I'm unable to check the permissions for you Noel.
Again thanks for all your help GokAy & eveyone else.
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