Windows 7 running very slow, loss of internet, firewall down.

[blueknighuk]

I am having a nightmare with my windows 7 64 bit home edition. It is running extremely slowly. I have lost the internet connection and the windows firewall has turned off and cannot be turned back on. Whenever I boot up i get the message "failed to connect to a windows server" The event viewer log is also unavailible.

I have established that my internet is working on other machines. I have also attempted to reset winsock in safe mood. However this has not worked.
I've had the system for about 9 months with no major problems. I have McAfee and have run windows defender and adaware so I am pretty sure it's not malware. I really need some assistance here. Thanks

 

[Skulblaka]

I suggest getting malwarebytes and doing a full system scan just to be sure it's not an infection. The symptoms point to a possible infection, do a scan anyway to be on the safe side, never hurts. It's highly recommended, free and trusted by many users here. Other than that, might be something that you've installed. Any new and recent updates?

 

[blueknighuk]

I am unable to connect to the internet. I am writing to this forum on a borrowed laptop. How would I be able to do a scan? I haven't updated anything recently other than perhaps the usual java update. I have had persistant problems with windows trying to update ie version9 which was also unsucessful. I am aware that this is not an uncommon problem.

 

[Faceofjoe421]

Hi blueknighuk, you would need to download the Malwarebyte setup.exe file on te working computer, transfer it to a USB Device, Data Disk, External HDD, anything.

Then insert the device on the infected PC, and run the setup.exe.

Hope this helps

Joe

 

[blueknighuk]

I have just run a scan with malwarebytes. No malicious files were found. I'm sure it's not a virus or anything. What I am pretty sure of is that this is a (another) bug in windows 7. I just wish I knew how to fix it.

 

[Faceofjoe421]

Have you tried AVG, SuperANTISpyware, ESET, etc?

If you have a Restore Point, turn your computer off, press F8 during boot and select Restore Point or the factory install option so it restores to a point before this happened.

 

[brianzion]

hi i would use the free Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2011

Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2011

Free Virus Scan - Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2011 is a free software intended to disinfect infected computers, removing viruses, Trojans, and spyware, as well as any other types of malware. Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2011 uses the same highly efficient algorithms for detecting malware as Kaspersky Anti-Virus. Algorithms include a full-functional anti-virus scanner, technologies developed for detecting vulnerabilities in installed applications and operating systems, and a technology for running scripts intended for removing complex and compound viruses.

 

[blueknighuk]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I will try various the virus removal software. However I am of the opinion that something has gone wrong with windows 7. I am thinking that I am going to have to either attempt a restore, or to reinstall windows. Neither of which I have attempted before. Any ideas or suggetions along these lines would be most appreciated.

 

[Faceofjoe421]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[Skulblaka]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Perhaps that should be used as a last resort...

 

[Faceofjoe421]

Yeh perhaps.

Plenty of other guides here though.

http://Installation and Setuphttp://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/?filter[3]=Installation%20and%20Setup

 

[gregrocker]

Almost weekly here we find major performance problems caused by MucAfee. I would immediately uninstall it and replace with Microsoft Security Essentials. Then run a Full Scan.

Next work through these troubleshooting steps to see if you can find other causes for your problems. The steps lead up to Repair Install or possible Reinstall. If you want to jump to reinstall at least test your hardware first to clear it.

Tips for getting a Perfect Reinstall

 

[blueknighuk]

This is getting a real pain now. I am attempting to open windows in safe mode. It doesn't allow me to. Although I can open safe mode with networking!! I attempt a repair at boot up, but again I am thwarted. I have also tried to run SFC in the command prompt. but nothing happens. (I am running as the admin). There has to be a suitable solution to this

 

[Faceofjoe421]

Yay, just received the Skilled Banner , anyway, do you have any restore points, backups, restore disks or reinstallation disks you can use, I will be more than happy to help you with this.

 

[gregrocker]

Have you already uninstalled MucAfee and replaced with MSE or Avast?

Try running Malwarebytes full scan from Safe Mode with Networking.

If it won't run, download and burn to CD or write to flash stick Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper, boot it to run a full scan. Then try again running SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot

Try running System Restore from System Recovery Options to a point before the problems began.

Try running a pass with Startup Repair as well to see if it finds problems in the boot.

 

[blueknighuk]

Okay I have manged to rum SFC /scannow in safe mode. I have corrupt files that were not all fixed. I did try this method several times. I have also tried to attempt a repair at the boot up. However this was unsucessful. It says "Windows failed to start" i I'm not sure why, i think it is because I have the standard OEM DVD edition of Windows 7. I am thinking that I will need to do a restore. How long does that take and does it need to be done in safe mode?
Thanks

 

[Faceofjoe421]

Okay I have manged to rum SFC /scannow in safe mode. I have corrupt files that were not all fixed. I did try this method several times. I have also tried to attempt a repair at the boot up. However this was unsucessful. It says "Windows failed to start" i I'm not sure why, i think it is because I have the standard OEM DVD edition of Windows 7. I am thinking that I will need to do a restore. How long does that take and does it need to be done in safe mode?
Thanks

Hi Blueknighuk, you do not need to be in safe mode, you can either use the built in Restore method, or use the boot one by repeatedly pressing F8 during bootup which is the one I prefer, and select a time before the problem happened. It usually takes up to 30 minutes, no longer than an hour, depending on how much files needs to be restored and how fast your computer is.

Make sure to backup your important files before proceeding.

Good luck.

Joe.

 

[blueknighuk]

After I ran the SFC /scannow function I attempted to try to start in safemode. I got a bit further than before and it hung at classpnp.sys. I did a bit of looking around the internet and found others with this problem who had loaded fallout 3. This is a game that I loaded for the first time a few months ago. Looking back I can see this may be the cause of the problem. I thought I would share that.
Also does a restore remove emails in Outlook? I will backup the PST files along with all other essential files just in case. I have never done a restore before so apologies if this is a silly question.

 

[Faceofjoe421]

After I ran the SFC /scannow function I attempted to try to start in safemode. I got a bit further than before and it hung at classpnp.sys. I did a bit of looking around the internet and found others with this problem who had loaded fallout 3. This is a game that I loaded for the first time a few months ago. Looking back I can see this may be the cause of the problem. I thought I would share that.
Also does a restore remove emails in Outlook? I will backup the PST files along with all other essential files just in case. I have never done a restore before so apologies if this is a silly question.

Hi Blueknighuk, Restoring will not remove all your e-mails in Outlook, since it is an external program and your mail is an external place. In order to get your mail back after restoring, just re-download it if the restore doesn't have it and press Refresh or Reload mail and it will restore everything.

 

[gregrocker]

Are you referring to System Restore?

You can run it from Safe Mode or System Recovery Options, which should be on the second screen after booting into a WIn7 Retail OEM Installation DVD.

Or are you referring to Factory Recovery run from its partition or Recov disks?