Solved Another "stuck in startup repair loop" thread

[jer18]

Hey all,

Having major troubles starting my Win 7 Dell Inspiron. It's stuck in the Windows Startup Repair loop.

Please know I have consulted with the following forum topics:
1.http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html
[With these steps (at #13), my DEFAULT/SAM/SECURITY are far above this file size. But I proceeded anyway and didn't have success ]
2.http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-hel...ows-7-machine-stuck-start-up-repair-loop.html
3.Use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

The drive had a virus and only about 60MB, yes MB of free space. I used Hirens Boot CD to eliminate the 3 infected files in SysWOW folder and also freed up space by deleting the hibernation.sys file. This cleared the viruses and freed up an additional 2 GB. I let the startup repair run after a restart and still no resolve..

Now because this C Drive was partitioned for the OS and D was free with loads of space, I had reinstalled the Windows OS onto the D drive and now have that as the boot drive. So I now have a fast but clean drive with the former OS as the now D Drive. I planned to use the EaseUS Partition Master and merge the drives together, but unsure how that would work.

To sum it up, should I merge the drives and will it affect Program Files and C:\Users etc.. as I would like programs to be listed in the Start menu etc..
Or, is there advise on how to rectify the startup repair loop in this situation?

Thanks much!!
J

 

[VistaKing]

   Warning

You will need a USB FLASH DRIVE

   Tip

Download the Tool from a non infected PC

Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

Choose one that goes with your OS bit version . Save the file to a USB Flash drive

32-bit Version OS :ar: Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

64-Bit Version OS :ar: Farbar Recovery Scan Tool x64

   Note

Click the rb: button and right-click Computer .Select Properties . Look for System Type: which will say 32-bit Operating System or 64-bit Operating System

Plug the flash drive into the infected PC.

Enter System Recovery Options.

:ar: To enter System Recovery Options from the Advanced Boot Options:
Restart the computer.
As soon as the BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until Advanced Boot Options appears.
Use the arrow keys to select Repair Your Computer menu item.
Select US as the keyboard language settings, and then click Next.
Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
Select your user account an click Next.

:ar: To enter System Recovery Options by using Windows installation disc:
Insert the installation disc.
Restart your computer.
If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc. If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check your BIOS settings.
Click Repair your computer.
Select US as the keyboard language settings, and then click Next.
Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
Select your user account and click Next.

:ar: On the System Recovery Options menu you will get the following options:

• Startup Repair

• System Restore

• Windows Complete PC Restore

• Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

• Command Prompt

Select Command Prompt

In the command window type X:\FRST.exe (for x64 bit version type X:\FRST64.exe) and press Enter

   Note

Replace letter X with the drive letter of your flash drive.

   Tip

Type the commands below to see what your letter is for the USB drive and press ENTER after each command

Diskpart
List volume

The tool will start to run.
When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
Press Scan button.
FRST will let you know when the scan is complete and has written the FRST.txt to file
Please copy and paste both logs in your reply.(FRST.txt and Addition.txt)

   Note

FRST.txt and Addition.txt files will be inside the root of the USB Flash Drive

 

[jer18]

Thanks for quick reply and tips, I have a usb drive and will use the 64 bit. I did begin a "sfc /scannow" that just finished and that didn't find integrity issues. Will post back soon with update.

 

[VistaKing]

You might have a rootkit so let's see what the FRST tool shows .

 

[jer18]

Hm, I selected the checkbox for Optional Scan - Addition.txt but my output was only the one txt file.
FRST.txt attached.

 

[VistaKing]

Open notepad (Start =>All Programs => Accessories => Notepad).
Please copy the highlighted contents below.


start
LastRegBack: 2013-07-05 19:23
end

(To do this highlight the contents of the box, right click on it and select copy. Right-click in the open notepad and select Paste). Save it on the flashdrive as fixlist.txt

Run frst64.exe and press the Fix button just once and wait.
The tool will make a log on the flashdrive (Fixlog.txt) please post it to your reply.

 

[jer18]

Looks successful..

 

[VistaKing]

jer18

Are you able to boot to the desktop ?

 

[jer18]

Negative. Still bumps me into Startup Repair

 

[Faladu]

bootrec procedure in the steps didn't work?

When rebooting off the disc (BIOS boot sequence DVD drive first) into WinRE.

 

[VistaKing]

Do you get this Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) option ?

 

[jer18]

well, when the guide began to go into "boot mgr is missing" i figured it wouldn't apply/help me...

what section should i follow there?

 

[jer18]

Do you get this Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) option ?

Also puts me into the startup repair.

 

[VistaKing]

Go back to the System recovery

Choose command prompt

If you received missing bootmgr

Type the highlighted text below

BootRec.exe /fixmbr and press enter

You could also try

BootRec.exe /FixBoot and press [ENTER]

 

[VistaKing]

What virus did you have before ?

 

[jer18]

I'm not getting that error at all didn't mean to cause confusion.. Althought I did to that already the system still decides to continue to run the startup repair.

 

[jer18]

The virus infected was a tr/crypt.xpack.gen3 or such... I deleted the files.

dxtmsft.dll - Win\SysWOW64\
licmgr10.dll - Win\SysWOW64\

 

[VistaKing]

You deleted the files and restarted ? That's when you ended up with the boot loop ?

 

[jer18]

No, it's been in the boot loop prior to that.

I tried to mention that I used Hirens Boot CD to log in to run a virus scan and also to free up space on the drive. Unfortunately neither of those helped get into the OS.

(offline until morning - thanks for the support I really appreciate it. I'll try further tips then.)

 

[VistaKing]

Try running the Startup repair 3 times with restarts in between