Can't install Windows 7 (Factory Install) after virus

[GW7777]

My Acer 7736Z-4809 laptop (pre-installed w/ Win7 Home Premium 64bit, so I don't have the Win7 CD) was recently hit with a virus. I constantly got the BSOD "iaStor.sys" and a black screen. Startup Repair at first couldn't complete repair, but when I tried again, it found no errors. Tried System Restore to no avail. Was able to do a System Image Recovery using a backup on an external HD, but none of the programs worked (wanted to use Ad-Aware and Spybot to eliminate the virus). When I clicked on programs on the desktop or Start menu, nothing happened, didn't even get an "Open with." Even in Safe Mode, none of the programs worked. I checked the Task Mgr, and explorer.exe was still there, but RAID wasn't. Went to Control Panel Programs to uninstall/repair programs, but got message that programs seemed to be already uninstalled...it was like the programs weren't even recognized. Once in awhile when I clicked on IE8 in Windows Explorer (not via desktop shortcut or Start menu), IE8 actually opened, so I downloaded Hijack This and Avast anti-virus, but when I tried to install them, I got the msg: "Installation must be on a local hard drive."

Continued to get the "iaStor.sys" BSOD. I read to run Verifier and disable it, so I tried that (not sure if that made things worse). Tried to do another System Image Recovery, but this time it couldn't recognize the backup on the ext HD. Tried Startup Repair, and it couldn't complete repair. Went to Recovery Management to reset the OS, but my User ID(?) couldn't be found. Decided to do a Factory Install - during "Setup is preparing your computer for first use" I got the error msg: "The computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install Windows, click 'OK' to restart the computer, and then restart the installation." Every time I try to restart it, I get the same error msg.

BIOS Setup Defaults:

Quiet Boot: [Enabled]
Network Boot: [Enabled]
F12 Boot Menu: [Disabled]
D2D Recovery: [Enabled]
SATA Mode: [AHCI]

Thanks in advance.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you make your Recovery Disks or do you have access to a Win7 Installation DVD?

With the infection you report, you need to wipe the HD with zeroes before attempting to Reimage, Factory Recovery, or Reinstall.

 

[GW7777]

Hi,

No recovery disks or Win7 installation DVD.

 

[gregrocker]

Have a look over these steps to getting a perfect clean reinstall of factory preinstalled Win7 to see if it seems doable: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

The other option is to order Recov Disks from tech support but they come with the pre-installed sponsors' bloatware so finding a Win7 installer will give you a cleaner reinstall and is also needed for repairs.

 

[GW7777]

Have a look over these steps to getting a perfect clean reinstall of factory preinstalled Win7 to see if it seems doable: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

The other option is to order Recov Disks from tech support but they come with the pre-installed sponsors' bloatware so finding a Win7 installer will give you a cleaner reinstall and is also needed for repairs.

The info in the link seems to be beyond my scope, and I can't even access the command prompt...how do I do that?

Do I order the Recov Disks from Acer's tech support? Or should I buy the Win7 Home Premium disc?

How do I wipe the HD with zeroes?

 

[gregrocker]

Can you borrow or otherwise find any Win7 installation DVD, as the first step posted show how to unlock all versions so you can reinstall with the Product key on COA sticker.

Otherwise yes you can order Recovery Disks from Acer Tech Support. They ship them free within a certain time period, or did.

The tutorials explain fully how to complete their tasks if you choose to go that route, and you can ask back with any questions here.

 

[pricetech]

As far as zero fill, most drive manufacturers have one that can be downloaded from their website. Another option is DBAN which can be downloaded and burned to CD, or they have, or at least did have, a floppy option.

 

[GW7777]

I don't know anyone who has the Win7 installation disc. My neighbor only has the Dell recovery disc.

I'll see if I can get the recovery discs from Acer. BTW, I do have an XP installation disc (used for very old laptop I'm using now) and tried that just to see what would happen, but it wouldn't work.

Could you direct me to the specific tutorials? My very old laptop is extremely slow for me to look for threads. Thanks for your help.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello GW7777, welcome to Seven Forums!



You don't need a third party program to wipe a Hard Disk Drive, Windows 7 will do it natively; have a look at this tutorial at the link below for that one but you will need a Windows 7 disk, XP won't do it; you don't know anywhere to download one, forum rules don't allow the posting of links for that.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation


Once you have the Windows 7 DVD you can use this tutorial to do as Greg suggests and create an 'all versions' installer.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

 

[GW7777]

Hello GW7777, welcome to Seven Forums!



You don't need a third party program to wipe a Hard Disk Drive, Windows 7 will do it natively; have a look at this tutorial at the link below for that one but you will need a Windows 7 disk, XP won't do it; you don't know anywhere to download one, forum rules don't allow the posting of links for that.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation


Once you have the Windows 7 DVD you can use this tutorial to do as Greg suggests and create an 'all versions' installer.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

I just ordered the recovery disc(s) from Acer. When I use them, will I still have to wipe the HDD w/ zeroes? I currently can't access the command window to do that.

On the bottom of the laptop, I found the product key for Win7...I'll see if I can find a copy.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[pricetech]

You don't need a third party program to wipe a Hard Disk Drive, Windows 7 will do it natively; have a look at this tutorial at the link below

Nice. I always use my PE disk for that, but never thought about using the install disk.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You don't need a third party program to wipe a Hard Disk Drive, Windows 7 will do it natively; have a look at this tutorial at the link below

Nice. I always use my PE disk for that, but never thought about using the install disk.

It's extremely easy and convenient; glad I could help.

 

[GW7777]

I was able to get a Win7 HP x64 disc. I did a "custom" (clean) install w/ it. How do I make it exactly like it was before the crash, with all the programs, fonts, etc. I had already installed? Also, how do I get the e-mails I lost? I used the last back up (12/16/10) that's stored on an external HD, but all of the programs and fonts I installed, as well as my old e-mails, don't seem to be included.

 

[gregrocker]

Do you have a windows.old folder in the root (C) drive? Within it is all of the old install. You can browse to the folders which contained your emails (google to find out where your program stores them) and the fonts you added.

However, i would not reinstall your settings from hidden Appdata files under your User account, as this is a corruption path into the clean install. Best to start fresh with all new settings for the programs you install.

Some tips for getting a purrfect reinstall based on hundreds done here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[GW7777]

Do you have a windows.old folder in the root (C) drive? Within it is all of the old install. You can browse to the folders which contained your emails (google to find out where your program stores them) and the fonts you added.

Yes, I have a windows.old folder. In it, both Program Files and Program Files (x86) contain Windows Mail. Which do I choose, and how do I get the e-mails back to Windows Live Mail?

I can't find the fonts I installed. Which folder in windows.old folder would they be located?

Also, does a "system image" include all the programs so I don't have to re-install them? What's the difference between creating a system image and backing up files? Which is better?

The discs (5 of them: 1 system, 3 recovery, and 1 language) I ordered from Acer arrived today. If I use them, do I have to do a clean install again?

 

[mjf]

If you use the ACER factory recovery disks you will be back to the condition your computer was in when you bought it. The disks are always good to have but if you have successfully done a clean install maybe think twice about going back to factory OEM OS with all the trial software.

Once you finally get the system bug (including virus) free and working make a couple of baseline images. These are snapshots of your disk which will enable you to restore to exactly the same condition for everything as of when the image was made. File/folder backups involve your personal files and folders (eg. letters, photos etc) not the operating system or installed programs.
People often make a series of images over time so they can always revert to a condition before some disaster struck without needing to start from scratch.

 

[gregrocker]

Ask Google: How to change the location of Windows Live Mail Store Folder | The Windows Club

Copy any fonts you want to add to your new Win7 Fonts folder from the windows.old Fonts folder. Microsoft Windows 7 font management

If you run the Factory Recovery disks you ordered, it returns your computer to the exact condition as when you brought it home from the store. All of the preinstalled bloatware will be reinstalled. Many tech enthusiasts prefer a clean install for better performance. It is up to you.

If you boot to reinstall the Recovery Disks, you can clean up the factory bloatware using these tips: http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...p-all-four-primary-partitions.html#post952573

 

[GW7777]

I'm planning to go ahead and use Acer's recovery discs. There are some Acer features/programs I like, and I can always uninstall the trial software/pre-installed bloatware, then use CCleaner.

I wasn't able to find my old WLM e-mails in the Windows.old folder to import them. Thanks for reminding me about changing the WLM store folder. I've changed the folder to one on an ext. HD in case a crash happens again. I also opted to keep my messages on the server as well. I should've done those 2 things before.

I couldn't find the fonts I installed in the Windows.old folder.

 

[mjf]

If you haven't reinstalled already, obviously make sure you backup personal files/folders because the factory recovery will wipe them. The Factory recovery disks will probably rebuild the hidden factory recovery partition.
Once cleaned up, imaging will avoid you needing to go through this again.