Registry Anomaly

I'm much more concerned that I can no longer get into safe mode.

Thank you! Glad we can address all 3 issues in a step wise fashion. Attached is the CheckSUR log.

I have a bootable Win7 x64 Repair disk. I also have a Windows 7 x 64 install disk with no validation key.

I have both Windows partition and data partition backups about 3 weeks old. Data backup created by SyncToy. Windows partition (image) created by Macrium.

PS: Most of the items listed in the log refer to AVAST. I uninstalled AVAST a few years ago, and had removed all reference to AVAST from the registry long ago.

Reviewing that CheckSur.log file, it looks like all that is left is some avast garbage that should not cause problems. AvastClear may remove that stuff.

You might want to also run SFCfix from Sysnative. It will clean more than SFC scannow does.

If you decide to do the Repair Install, should be no need to do this.

Snick and Jo,

I just installed and ran AvastClear. Then I opened regedit and found 5 instances of Avast in the registry, which I'll leave alone. Then I reinstalled SURT and here is the new logfile. It found the same 6 unrepaired components which were logged the first time.

So:

Can I now remove those 6 AVAST references from the registry?
Are those 6 unrepaired components worth fixing?
We have 2 more steps left, fixing damaged files reported in SFC, and fixing the failure of F8 to display advanced boot options. What should I do next?

Snick said:

Didn't know you had Win7 disk. Is it the same as your Machine? 64bit. Is that what you used to install windows?
There are several ways to extract your 25 character product key from your machine, Magic Jellybean, Belarc Advisor, or a small batch file I have.

Was thinking about your registry issue. If you deleted keys more than a week or two, the RegBack folded probably contains a copy of the registry alteration.

Are you familiar with a Repair Install/In-place upgrade. Read this tutorial by Shawn Brink Repair Install
Brian at Britec Computers has an excellent video on it Repair Install
I've done so many I couldn't even guess the number! It's pretty easy.

Will correct your issues. When you uninstall Avast, you should run AvastClear
Manual alteration of the registry is not a good practice in general. I try to avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

If your Win7 disk is x64 and not Home Premium, you can alter, rename or remove the ei.cfg file on the disk and make it AIO (all in one) however, you can only repair install the version you already have installed.

Peruse Brinks tutorial and Britec video and let me know what you think. I'm going to be watching the Daytona 500 for the next few hours!

The Win install disk is same as my installation...............Home Premium x64. I don't remember, honestly if it's the same as the one I used to install the OS. I seem to remember downloading the OS from a computer store online at a discounted price.

It appears that the reg is OK, right? A backup from two weeks ago won't solve the funky stalling issue because that's been going on for maybe 2 months.

Repair install is what I had in mind, if I can't fix/replace damaged files found by SFC, as well as getting F8 to work again.

JoWazzoo said:

Reviewing that CheckSur.log file, it looks like all that is left is some avast garbage that should not cause problems. AvastClear may remove that stuff.

You might want to also run SFCfix from Sysnative. It will clean more than SFC scannow does.

If you decide to do the Repair Install, should be no need to do this.

Ran AvastClear; see my other post.

Just ran SFCfix Sysnative. It only ran for about 2 seconds before generating the attached logfile.

SFCFix file indicates nothing more left. Looks like we may have cleaned up a lot.


WRT the stranded Avast Registry entries - leave them alone unless you really know what you are doing. They should not be causing any problems you have been having now.

At this point you should probably work with Snick on the install if you are wanting to do that.

Regarding F8 key issue. Was the issue that you could get into Windows regular Mode, but not safe mode? If so, check here:

Windows 7/10 Safe Mode - F8 Not Working?