Good thinking,
DavidE!!
What I wonder is, what would happen if MSE scans
only Partition D:\?
That is where
D:\preload\base.wim is located.
If it still hangs up, I'm wondering if it is really necessary to scan the D:\ Recovery Partition with Microsoft Security Essentials?
It can be excluded from the scan:
In MSE, go to : Settings
Click on: Excluded Files
Click: Browse
Select: Recovery Partition (D:\)
Click Add > Save Changes
Then, try
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to do a custom scan of the D:\ drive (if accessible) to determine if there is something malicious.
Malwarebytes Antimalware-Free Edition
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/
(Uncheck offer of Premium trial during installation)
Also upload the
D:\preload\base.wim file that MSE stalls on to
VirusTotal for analysis:
https://www.virustotal.com/
(You might need to enable the viewing of Hidden files and folders. See
Note at bottom of post.)
Use the
Choose File button to navigate to the location of the file.
In the
Choose file to upload prompt, select the file, then, click the 'Open' button.
The file is now displayed in the blank box of
VirusTotal
Click:
Scan It, and wait for the results.
If you get a message saying: 'File has already been analyzed', click:
Reanalyze file now
:ar: Once scanned, please provide the
link to the results page in your reply.
Note:
Enable the viewing of hidden and protected system files in Windows 7:
Close all programs so that you are at your Desktop.
Click on the Start button (globe).
Click on the Control Panel menu option.
Click on:
Folder Options
Under Folder Options, click on:
Show hidden files and folders
Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled:
Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled:
Hide extensions for known file types.
Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled:
Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
Press the Apply button and then OK.
