Solved Can't boot back up properly after using Driver Verifier

[Orkimedes]

I recently used Driver Verifier as I was experiencing constant hard hangs. I followed all the steps on this pagehttp://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lockup-debug-how/65331-using-driver-verifier-identify-issues-drivers.html and got the BSoD I guess I was looking for:


So after that I rebooted and only got the option to either Launch Startup Repair or try to Start Windows Normally. Trying to Start Windows Normally would just result in the BSoD above so I tried doing Startup Repair but it would not detect my Windows installation. Because of that I can't restore my system to the point before I ran the verifier.

 

[Mellon Head]

Did you try clicking Load Drivers? Does it detect the system then?

Can you boot into safe mode?

It looks as though Diver Verifier may have trashed your install, or at very least, your MBR. You might be looking at the very real possibility that your install is unrecoverable. I hope not.

 

[Orkimedes]

There is no option to boot in safe mode. I'm still trying to figure out which driver I'm supposed to look for from the list, about 1/3 way down now...

Update: Tried inserting a boot USB for Windows 7 I made and used a while back. Got something like this Error: oxc000000f "An error occured while attmepting to read the boot configuration data File: \Boot\BCD"
Lovely...

 

[cmmtch]

Maybe you have a backup image and you can use that? I guess if you did you would have already done it

These situations cause us to start being sure we have a backup/image on another drive just in case.

 

[Orkimedes]

Yep, and already kicking myself for not having one. I've looked up a bunch of solutions, all I could come up with was that my hard drive is being unresponsive or something. Any more ideas?

 

[SIW2]

Looks like smartdefragdriver.sys is the culprit.

It could be a start type 0 driver with filters.

The way round that is to try and replace the system hive with a backup.

There are usually backup hives in windows\system32\config\regback.

Check it isn't zero bytes, then just copy it into windows\system32\config, overwritting the existing System hive.

You will need something bootable for that. Paragon rescue kit is worth a go, it has a useful file transfer wizard.

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/rk-express/download.html


OR load the System up remotely with a registry editor and set it to type 4. You should find it under SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services

You will also need to have a look at this key and if there are any Upperfilters, delete them.

SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{71A27CDD-812A-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F}

Windows doesn't seem to be able to pick up the drive, so try something linux which go for the drive controller directly.

Something like this PC Regedit, Create, delete and edit Windows registry key-values without Windows.

 

[Orkimedes]

Ok so I attempted to use the PC Regedit thing and I got this:
Failed to start window, please mark the message below and contract [email protected] for technical support
Video is ATI Technologies Inc Unknown device 6818, using Xorg(ati) Server

As for the first solution, well you're gonna have to explain like I'm five.

 

[Golden]

Did you try rebooting in Safe Mode and then disabling Driver Verifier, then trying to boot normally?

 

[Orkimedes]

Tried hitting F8 multiple times at startup, no such luck.

 

[matts6887]

unfortunately; this looks to be like that driver verifier did more harm than good. Which unfortunately happens more often than not. Did you remember to backup your important items like documents etc? I hope so because there is a distinct possibility that you may have to wipe the drive clean and do a clean install. Especially if it cant find the operating system when you try to do a repair install and it doesnt show your hard drive where you installed the o.s. at all.

 

[Golden]

unfortunately; this looks to be like that driver verifier did more harm than good. Which unfortunately happens more often than not.

Say what????? Happens more often than not? What on earth are you talking about.....? Where did you get that from?

The underlying problem is the cause of the BSOD....not Driver Verifier.

The usual fix to reboot a computer that won't boot once DV is enabled, is to boot into Safe Mode, disable DV, then try boot as normal. Since the OP cant access Safe Mode at all, he should continue to explore SiW's suggestions.

 

[Arc]

unfortunately; this looks to be like that driver verifier did more harm than good. Which unfortunately happens more often than not.

This is some information which should not be passed, specially publicly. Because it is a bad information. Driver Verifier is one of the most important integrated tool that is used for troubleshooting. It is problematic to them who dont know how to use it. But that is universal. Like any other thing.

Driver Verifier does not do any harm. Never. If you have the knowledge about it, and have taken the prior preparation for it before enabling it.

   Warning

Before enabling DV, make it sure that you have earlier System restore points made in your computer. You can check it easily by using CCleaner looking at Tools > System Restore.

If there is no points, make a System Restore Point manually before enabling DV.

If Driver Verifier causes boot failure, that is not the fault of Driver Verifier itself, but there is some driver in your system startup which should not be there.

   Tip

1. If you fail to get on the Desktop because of DV, Boot into Advanced Boot Options > Safe mode. Disable DV there. Now boot normally again, and try following the instruction of enabling DV again.
2. If you cannot boot in Safe mode too, do a System Restore to a point you made earlier.

@ Orkimedes, you have one more option, the point 2, the System Restore way. Hope you have at least one system restore point made earlier.

The culprit is a driver from IObit. You should not run it with startup. Free up the startup, when you can boot to windows. Windows does not need any other program to auto start with it, but the auto start programs often conflicts and causes various problems including BSODs.

1. Click on the Start button
2. Type “msconfig (without quotes), click the resulting link. It will open the System Configuration window.
3. Select the “Startup” tab.
4. Deselect all items other than the antivirus.
5. Apply > OK
6. Accept then restart.

 

[Orkimedes]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I'll try them out and report back in a bit.

 

[Orkimedes]

UPDATE: Ok, I finally managed to get into safe mode and restored to the point before I used Driver Verifier. Turns out getting into safe mode was just different for my computer. XPS 8500 users on Windows 7: Booting to Safe Mode with Windows 7 on an XPS 8500 - Desktop General Hardware Forum - Desktop - Dell Community

Looks like everything is in one piece, thankfully. Disposed of Smart Defrag and other IOBit programs just in case. A big thanks to everyone that tried to help me out. One last question, if I continue to experience the hard hangs I had before should I start a new thread, or continue here?

 

[Arc]

Good news.

For any later issue, start a new thread in the appropriate subforum.

 

[Golden]