Windows 7 turned into Windows 8, how did it do it?

[Golden]

What do you think of McAfee (Security) that comes with my Internet Provider Bell?

Its rubbish....stay away from it.

 

[Slartybart]

edit: Sorry about that. I just realized that I side tracked you.
Please follow Addram's AV suggestion in post# 41 so that your system ahs some protection on it.
There's always time for what's the best AV discussion later, but the important thing right now is to have something.

bizee: there have been a lot of suggestions made in your thread and you have asked a number of questions.

Please review the thread and either complete a suggestion, provide the feedback or ask a question about it. I'm wondering "Did Bizee run AdwCleaner?"

It can get quite hectic with a few people giving suggestions... every once in a while you have to stop and make sure that recommendations don't fall through the cracks.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[bizee]

Sorry, I am no way ignoring everyone's help. Actually I am afraid to offend anyone as I am overwhelmed at everyone's willingness to help, and hope you all keep the faith in me as I am listening. I am in healing mode after having my second hip replacement in less than a year, and at 57 years old I am told I am young for that, but I guess playing multi sports for many years (including playing competitive men's hockey a year ago since I was five had something to with it.

As for running AdwCleaner? Not yet. I DO HAVE MalwareBytes Pro and have run all scans. I have done system restore, did not help. I have not had time (or felt good) to remove ASC and install AdwCleaner, although I did try CCleaner last week and have since removed it.

Not sure where my head is at right now, sorry. Please bare with me.

 

[Slartybart]

No sweat bizee, what you said is pretty much what I was trying to say. Don't get overwhelmed by the many suggestions.

Troubleshooting is a simple methodology - identify the issue, suggest a possible solution, test that and report the results. One step at a time - stop when the issue is resolved.

Take your time, members will help you as much as you need. You're a critical member of the team, you are the eyes and fingers and we depend on you to help us help you.

This is very helpful feedback, it let's everyone know what had and has not been done:

As for running AdwCleaner? Not yet. I DO HAVE MalwareBytes Pro and have run all scans. I have done system restore, did not help. I have not had time (or felt good) to remove ASC and install AdwCleaner, although I did try CCleaner last week and have since removed it.

​

 

[bizee]

the restore "before the updates" did not change anything, still showed Windows 8 in msconfig boot tab, so no changes after restore. I then took the Windows Updates again and system remained unchanged. I also changed the name of OS to Windows 7 as suggested in post #21

 

[Layback Bear]

Just a reminder.
Until you completely remove Advanced System Care many things still won't work properly.
I wish you would of told us in your first post that you have ASC on your computer. Advanced System Care could of caused all your problems.

Advanced system care does more bad than good. Many people after using ASC have to do a Clean Install.

This might be helpful. It will take some doing because IoBit doesn't want you to remove it.

How to Uninstall Advanced Systemcare 5 from Windows 7: 8 Steps

After removing ASC I would run security scans again to see if it left some some little goodies behind.

Then I would run sfc /scannow.
Do it exactly as this tutorial by Brink guides you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Please report back.

 

[bizee]

I will do as you suggest. Wish I had asked you guys what is best for security for PC's before I did ASC.

So I assume other Iobit programs such as their Uninstaller, SmartDefrag and Driver Booster are not good either?

If you don't like these programs, then I will ask now, what do you recommend to replace these?

Video on removal (was for ASC 5 which I am sure does not matter) was without video and was somewhat different from written method.

 

[Golden]

So I assume other Iobit programs such as their Uninstaller, SmartDefrag and Driver Booster are not good either?

Correct. They are more likely to cause havoc on the system than do anything useful. Windows 7 can manage all the functionality that these programs can, so there is no need to use them, or replace them with something else

 

[Slartybart]

So I assume other Iobit programs such as their Uninstaller, SmartDefrag and Driver Booster are not good either?

Correct. They are more likely to cause havoc on the system than do anything useful. Windows 7 can manage all the functionality that these programs can, so there is no need to use them, or replace them with something else

I agree with Golden, except that once in a while for a stubborn application I do recommend Revo uninstaller. It is a one time one issue recommendation - not as a general replacement for Windows Control Panel -> Programs and Features.

A bigger hammer, 3rd party application, is only suggested on rare occasions and is to be used with guidance.

Best practices are to use Windows tools first and always.

Bill
.

 

[bizee]

Well my system is acting up real funny now for last few days. Slow to boot and Windows Live Mail takes forever to start. Tried several fixes and is somewhat better now. Everything works but annoying wait time. Waiting for buddy who has copy of (legit) Win7 for me, can't find mine. Hopefully have it tonight. Then start all over again with fresh install. I have 2 other hard drives in my tower where I keep all my movies, etc so that helps. Let you know more later.

 

[bizee]

I would like to add, once computer is up and running, all is fine. If I try to open Live Mail soon after bootup this is when it slow, but if I come back an hour later it fires right up. And I have ASC disabled, as well as MWB. I know, no protection, but at this point, since I am likely to reinstall Win7, I figured what the hell. And I am not downloading anything.
I have done disk cleanup, chkdsk /f and chkdsk /r, defrag, sfc /scannow, virus scan, malware scan and everything found nothing. Did uninstall of MS Essentials and reinstall and 1 update.
Just an FYI.

 

[bizee]

Just uninstalled ASC Ult 7, and all Iobit programs. Instant improvement of WinLiveMail and bootup speed. My oh My! I wasn't being stubborn the last few day just never got to it as I thought I could fix all problems first. Duh, how stupid was I?! and I don't need a second opinion thanx even though I deserve it.
I have to attend to some doctor appts but will be back to complete uninstall as per ASC Ult 7 uninstall video Uninstall Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 7. Let it be known that I did not use "Max Uninstaller Tool" as suggested in this video. I used Microsoft Control panel uninstaller.

 

[Slartybart]

Good news bizee - glad you got it sorted.

Now you didn't say anything about 3rd or 4th opinions.....

If you have a valid Win7 license (COA sticker) you could do a clean install by following one of these tutorials:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

If you're still considering that path.

Bill
.

 

[bizee]

about 3rd or 4th opinions? Remind me please...

sorry to say, I do not have valid license, I am half dutch, half french, to cheap to get license (dutch) and to stubborn to change (french).

but I don't mind doing fresh install when I get valid copy from friend, and going through process of putting programs back on and doing updates. I hear there is something out there that you can do 1-stop shopping and put things like VLC, Adobe, and other programs on all at once instead of going to each website. (I read somewhere not to install Java).

 

[Slartybart]

I'm sorry to say that the forum rules prohibit members from assisting other members unless the Windows installation has a valid license key.

Valid Windows install media (your friend's copy) without a valid license key does not change things.

If you acquire a Windows 7 license, members will be glad to help you.

This might help the Dutch side: http://www.digisoftstore.com/Operating-Systems_c_12-1-1.html
The French side... I guess that's akin to my Irish side.

Bill
.

 

[bizee]

Sorry, I have 2 desktops and 2 laptops and this computer has valid license. I have key and if you want me post is I will. Is it secure to post it?

 

[NoelDP]

NEVER post the Key

If you want to demonstrate that a system is genuine, post the MGADiag report from it...
we need to see a full copy of the report produced by the MGADiag tool
(download and save to desktop - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012 )
Once saved, run the tool.
Click on the Continue button, which will produce the report.
To copy the report to your response, click on the Copy button in the tool (ignore any error messages at this point), and then paste (using either r-click/Paste, or Ctrl+V ) into your response.
- **in your own thread**, please

Please also state the Version and Edition of Windows quoted on your COA sticker (if you have one) on the case of your machine (or inside the battery compartment), but do NOT quote the Key on the sticker!
How to Tell ? Hardware

 

[bizee]

Sorry for my ignorance, but when you say **in your own thread** do mean in THIS thread? so copy it here and "post quick reply"? I have run the tool and have it ready to paste. And this is not the original case so I don't have the COA sticker, but I do have Windows 7 Ultimate. I bought this desktop a 5 months ago so it had Win7 on it already.

 

[NoelDP]

That's there for the benefit of others who come along later and read the thread - in the (admittedly mostly vain) hope that they will start their own new thread and post the report there

Simply post the report in your reply here.

 

[bizee]

This is not the original case so I don't have the COA sticker, but I do have Windows 7 Ultimate. I bought this desktop a 5 months ago so it had Windows 7 on it already.