Hi Twardy, run a Check Disk Scan and an SFC Scan.
Next run a Malwarebytes and an MSE Scan in Safe Mode, keep running these scans until each shows no viruses 3 times in a row.
I would next Repair Install and run a Startup Repair
If this still doesn't help, try Clean Installing Windows 7 or listen to others advice.
Twardy:
Decide if you want to try to repair what you have or give up on it and reinstall Windows. That's your first choice.
If you decide to do a clean install, you have several choices:
1: Reinstall with your current Windows installation disc if you have one. I'm guessing you don't.
2: Restore to factory specifications using a recovery partition or recovery disks, if you have either. I'm guessing you don't have recovery disks, but I don't know about a recovery partition.
3: Reinstall using a Windows installation disc burned from a downloaded ISO. You download the ISO from MyDigitalLife.info.
If you choose to repair rather than do a fresh installation, there are numerous possibilities and the various posts above are an attempt to troubleshoot your existing installation.
To add on to what ignatzatsonic said, if you do not have a Disk you can either Burn one to a disk using Windows Built In Disk Burner or ImgBurn. Or use WinRAR/7-Zip to open the setup.exe and install without a disk, but if someone goes wrong during the install, you do not have a disk to reinstall over the faulty install unless you install to a new partition so you have a backup of your previous OS and then try installing again and deleting the partition after a successful install.
But you will need your current activation key:
Use Magic Jellybean Keyfinder or look for a sticker on your PC/Laptop.
Thanks everyone. Will have another good read and maybe have a crack. I know how to restore to factory settings
If I restore back to factory settings do I need to do anything to the laptop? Install any Windows 7 discs or anything or can I just start using it like its a new laptop and install updates?
If you are using HP Recovery or DELL Recovery from Recovery Partition, no, just make sure to back everything up.
Running Factory Recovery from its partition or disks will auto-activate with the factory SLP mass-activation key embedded in the Recovery partition or disks.
This is not the same as the key on the COA sticker which you would manually input if you clean reinstall with a Win7 installation DVD:
Which method you choose depends upon whether you want the preinstalled factory bloatware which came with the laptop, or want only the OS in a more lean install which is described here: Reinstalling Windows 7
Do you understand the difference? Feel free to ask back if not.
If you post your System specs as requested we could link you to the steps for running Recovery.
HP dv7t i7-2630 2.00ghz 8g Ram 64x bit
Thanks guys
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