Solved Defender Offline on DVD failed because no internet connection

[m3110w]

Hi All,

My friend has a 32bit Vista laptop that probably has some viruses. It is not possible to connect to the net using the Vista machine unless the full Vista OS boots. Not possible to connect using the Defender Offline OS. I live in India and get internet thru a cellular modem that apparently requires the full OS to be up and running.

Also (for some unknown reason) the Vista BIOS does not allow or offer booting from the USB ports. I wish it did.

Using my 64bit Win 7 laptop I downloaded 32bit Defender Offline and installed it onto a DVD. The DVD install was successful. Then I popped the DVD into the Vista and Defender Offline booted up nice. Then it said something like "Unable to scan because an internet connection is required to update definitions."

Uh-oh! Not good.

It says that if Defender Offline is used with optical media, then no net connection is required on the target PC. Anyway to solve this problem? Did I leave out any needed details? I'd really like to scan the Vista with Defender Offline.

In the meantime, I'm using Avast Free for a pre-boot scan on the Vista PC. I would love to also scan it with Defender Offline.

Any ideas to solve this? Thanks!

Tom

 

[karlsnooks]

Click on the WDO link in my signature.
Follow the procedure they give for putting on to a DVD.

I must confess that I always put WDO on to a usb stick. Furthermore, booting from USB is a function of the bios of the computer and not of Vista or Win 7. That's an usual computer that doesn't give that capability.

why don't you let us know the manufacturer and model and we'll see what we will see.

 

[karlsnooks]

Perhaps this will help

How do I use the Windows Defender Offline ISO file?

An ISO image (International Organization for Standardization) is an archive file (also known as a disc image) of an optical disc, composed of the data contents of every written sector of an optical disc, including the optical disc file system. ISO images can be created from optical discs, or can be used to recreate optical discs using software from many software vendors. ISO image files typically have a file extension of .iso.

1. The Windows Defender Offline creates an ISO file called MSSS_Media.iso and saves it to: %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows Defender Offline.
2. Insert a recordable CD or DVD into your PC’s disc drive.
3. Go to the location where you saved the MSSS_Media.iso file, and then double-click it.
   In Windows 7 and Windows XP, this will open the Windows Disk Image Burner. If you have more than one type of disc creation software, select the one you want to use from the Disc burner list.
   
   
   
   Note
   
   To burn the image file in Windows Vista, you'll need a third-party CD burning program.
   
   
   
4. Check the Verify disc after burning check box to verify that the ISO file was burned correctly to the disc.
5. Click Burn to create the disc.

Once the disc has been created, you can use Windows Defender Offline by starting your PC from the CD or DVD.


========================================================


that's located at this link:
Windows Defender Offline: frequently asked questions

 

[karlsnooks]

I suspect that your friend tried to rerun the wizard rather than to boot from the DVD that was created from the downloaded ISO file.

 

[m3110w]

WDO requires internet connection when booting from optical media

I suspect that your friend tried to rerun the wizard rather than to boot from the DVD that was created from the downloaded ISO file.

Hi All,

Thanks for the reply. My friend is not even aware that WDO exists. I'm trying to de-virus her PC.

It appears that Windows Defender Offline (WDO) will not work unless the target machine can somehow have an active internet connection after WDO boots up from the DVD. On my friend's 32bit Vista laptop, it is not possible to have an internet connection from the WDO OS. (We live in India and use cellular modems for our internet. Therefore the main OS *needs* to be up and running for us to get internet.) Therefore it seems that it's not possible to run WDO on my friend's Vista laptop.

I've successfully burned the 32bit WDO DVD on 2 different PCs, and both booted up fine. Both have the same problem, so I'm almost certain sure the WDO DVDs were created successfully.

The WDO documentation says that in the case of booting from optical media, that an internet connection is not required. However, this appears to be false.

Did I describe the problem clearly? Do you need any other details. Any way to get around this problem? I'd really like to run WDO on my friend's Vista PC. Thanks!

Can anyone help?

Cheers,

Tom

 

[karlsnooks]

The target machine does NOT need an internet connection.

You can test this yourself on your machine.
When you get ready to boot from your wdo dvd or usb stick, disconnect from the internet.

She is NOT following the procedure.

Please read, read, and reread if necessary.

You can use the Microsoft writeup.
You can use my writeup.
You can use the tutorial here in SevenForums on Windows Defender Offline.

We all say the same thing in different words, but all three work.

I repeat: an internet connection is not needed to run WDO.
An internet connection is needed to download WDO and to install WDO to a usb or to a DVD.

 

[m3110w]

Net connection required for WDO. Pics document problem.

Thanks for your reply and the help is greatly appreciated. See pics. Actually, for some strange reason, in my case, it looks like an internet connection *is* required. Please see pics. The pics say I *need* to update the definitions before it will allow me to scan. Scan option is grayed out so it's impossible to start a scan. And (of course) the only way to update the definitions is to have an internet connection (which is not possible in my case). Anyway around this problem? Thanks for your help! Really appreciate the help. Kind Regards. -Tom

Also see this pic.

The target machine does NOT need an internet connection.

You can test this yourself on your machine.
When you get ready to boot from your wdo dvd or usb stick, disconnect from the internet.

She is NOT following the procedure.

Please read, read, and reread if necessary.

You can use the Microsoft writeup.
You can use my writeup.
You can use the tutorial here in SevenForums on Windows Defender Offline.

We all say the same thing in different words, but all three work.

I repeat: an internet connection is not needed to run WDO.
An internet connection is needed to download WDO and to install WDO to a usb or to a DVD.

 

[karlsnooks]

you put wdo on a usb stick on a computer with an internet connection.
When you do this WDO will fetch the latest updates.

You then take the usb stick to the computer without a connection.

Please read very carefully the instructions at that Microsoft site.
You can also use the SevenForums tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-windows-defender-offline.html

 

[pugdog24]

I have the exact same problem and screenshots as m3110w, i did use usb flash and read directions and followed explicitly. I even re-ran the wizard on a different computer to update all definitions before booting the problem pc with the usb. I still get these screens that block my using defender offline, saying i need to update, and update fails because couldn't check for virus and spyware definitions update because an internet connection is not available, error 0x80072ee7....
I would like help with this as well, running windows 7 home premium 64-bit service pack 1...and please don't doubt that we are following directions...is it possible there is a virus present that aborts the process as we are experiencing?

 

[karlsnooks]

Most problems are caused by either defective usb sticks or failure to prepare the usb stick.

PREPARE A UFD FOR USE (USB FLASH DRIVE)


Run CMD.EXE as administrator
WIN | type CMD.EXE | do NOT hit ENTER | CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER key combo |
ALT + y key combo

WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top

Type following commands and hit ENTER key after each command.
DISKPART starts the DiskPart program
LIST DISK shows numeral assigned to disks
note the numeral assigned to your usb stick
The numeral 2 will be used in this example
SELECT DISK 2
DETAIL DISK the info shown will confirm the correctness of your selection
CLEAN ALL the entire usb stick will be overwritten with zeros
This can take awhile if usb stick has large capacity.
Keep the faith-the DiskPart prompt will eventually return.
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY create a primary partition on the USB stick
FORMAT FS=NTFS format the partition
ACTIVE the partition can contain operating system startup files
ASSIGN the next available letter is assigned to the USB stick
EXIT exit from the DISKPART program
EXIT exit from the command shell

==================================================================================

for posting snapshots:
[FONT=&quot]Make a snapshot (Snip)[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]WIN |[/FONT][FONT=&quot] type SNIP | ENTER | New
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save
[/FONT]
WIN=key with the Microsoft logo on top.


==============================================

Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

 

[pugdog24]

many thanks, karlsnooks, for your detailed reply, it really is appreciated. There are lots of us out here just trying to survive that are still learning. I have followed all directions, everything went fine, will now go to my other computer and run the install and update wizard for the 64-bit version of defender offline and cross my fingers. If the microsoft defender offline site had hinted at doing more than deleting all files on a usable usb, and then running the defender offline download to create bootable usb, i would have looked around for what you so kindly furnished.. the only other possibility i know of for a thwart would be the bitlocker disable requirement, but as i understand it, my windows 7 home premium does not have that accessory to deal with, and i can find it nowhere on my system... so will post back later how things went. Again, many thanks for the assist.

 

[pugdog24]

well, in creating the bootable usb flash drive, i am immediately suspicious, in that both the 'creating the startup usb flash drive' download, and the subsequent 'updating virus and spyware definitions' download were each 61.97 mb. hmmm...
the usb drive shows following files: boot, EFI, sources, bootmgr 4/4/2012 5:54pm file 375kb, bootmgr.efi same date> EFI File 653kb, FilesList64.dll 5/2/2012 2.53pm Application estens... 12kb, and mpam-fex64.exe Application 63,460kb (other than specified, all dated 5/26/2012 6.57pm)...

same result when boots up, same red fail screens, error 0x80072ee7 and need for internet to update definitions...

I do appreciate the effort and assist... if you have any other thoughts or suggestions?? otherwise will likely just try for a factory image restore.
By the way, the issue that originated the thought to use WDO was information regarding system 32 > rundll32.exe, if icon showing as page instead of the application icon, was evidence of infection... anyway, many thanks and will look for another reply, hopefully...

 

[m3110w]

For me internet not possible unless in full Windows OS

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I think I'm a special case that is rare. I'm using a cellular modem to get internet. This modem *only* works when the full Windows OS boots up. It doesn't work when the WDO OS boots up. Therefore I'm unable to use WDO because WDO *requires* an active internet connection (System Sweeper did not). I have no other way of getting internet. I'm in India.

I wish there was some way to update the WDO definitions within the full Windows OS, and then boot from the WDO USB stik. However, this doesn't appear to be possible. In any case, even with fully updated definitions, WDO may still *require* active internet on the pc to be scanned.

I remember System Sweeper updated definitions within the full Windows OS, and then you could take the System Sweeper USB to a computer without internet and use it just fine. How I miss those days... *sigh*

If there's any way around this problem, let us know. Thanks for all your kind help.

Kind Regards,

Advait

Most problems are caused by either defective usb sticks or failure to prepare the usb stick.

PREPARE A UFD FOR USE (USB FLASH DRIVE)


Run CMD.EXE as administrator
WIN | type CMD.EXE | do NOT hit ENTER | CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER key combo |
ALT + y key combo

WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top

Type following commands and hit ENTER key after each command.
DISKPART starts the DiskPart program
LIST DISK shows numeral assigned to disksnote the numeral assigned to your usb stick
The numeral 2 will be used in this example
SELECT DISK 2
DETAIL DISK the info shown will confirm the correctness of your selection
CLEAN ALL the entire usb stick will be overwritten with zeros
This can take awhile if usb stick has large capacity.
Keep the faith-the DiskPart prompt will eventually return.
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY create a primary partition on the USB stick
FORMAT FS=NTFS format the partition
ACTIVE the partition can contain operating system startup files
ASSIGN the next available letter is assigned to the USB stick
EXIT exit from the DISKPART program
EXIT exit from the command shell

==================================================================================

for posting snapshots:
[FONT=&quot]Make a snapshot (Snip)[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]WIN |[/FONT][FONT=&quot] type SNIP | ENTER | New
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save
[/FONT]
WIN=key with the Microsoft logo on top.


==============================================

Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

 

[karlsnooks]

The wdo OS, as you call it, doesn't require internet access.

In case you are wondereing, wdo and msss are the same! Microsoft in their infintie wisdom renamed the product to a name that only causes confusion.

Rujn WDO!

 

[m3110w]

WDO now works on another laptop

OK, I found something interesting. The WDO cd that didn't work in my friend's Vista computer works fine in another old Toshiba laptop running XP-SP3. So maybe WDO has some issues with certain laptops. Maybe WDO doesn't work with some small subset of BIOS's...?

In any case, WDO is now scanning this old Toshiba and working properly. Sweet.

Thanks for all your help on this issue. Cheers!

Tom / Advait

The wdo OS, as you call it, doesn't require internet access.

In case you are wondereing, wdo and msss are the same! Microsoft in their infintie wisdom renamed the product to a name that only causes confusion.

Rujn WDO!