Solved Fixing a computer with hosed permissions & activation problems?

[Keirnoth]

The files still exist and I can access their permissions from the Properties menu, but if I try to go to the parent folder (SystemRestore) and get the restore0, 1, and 2 files to inherit permissions from its parent, I get the same Access is denied error.

So what I did was used the TAKEOWN command posted above and used it on the three files. After that I attempted to have these files inherit permissions from the parent and it worked. The "lock" icon on these files is gone too.

What next? I still need to do something about the Windows genuine activation thing. I want to get that fixed ASAP.

 

[Golden]

You could go here.
Windows Updates & Activation - Windows 7 Forums
and then do this.
http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ne-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html

He's already been over that with Noel Layback, I think they are several steps on from that already.

 

[Layback Bear]

Thanks for the update Golden. I got things criss crossed. Sorry I got in the way.

 

[Keirnoth]

Hey Noel, got any other things we should check out? I'm going to try to call HP and ask them if they can help me out with the authentication issue, or perhaps just punch in the code in the COA and pray it works.

 

[NoelDP]

Sorry about the delay - ISP problems

Don't worry about the WGA problem - it's not going to get any worse than it already is The things we're doing should help cure that, anyhow.


Please run the following commands, and post the results.

DIR C:\Winndows\System32 /AR /S
DIR C:\Windows\System32 /AR
DIR C:\Windows /AR


(yes I'm aware that there's duplication there - it's in case of overflow on th efirst command, as I'm more interested in the System32 results than others at present)

I need to see if I can come up with an easy way of listing ones where the owner isn't as expected - but that means learning powershell commands, which would take too long for you!

 

[Keirnoth]

Here you go:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>DIR C:\Windows\System32 /AR /S
 Volume in drive C has no label.
 Volume Serial Number is 6EFF-DD7B

 Directory of C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile

10/06/2010  03:04 PM    <DIR>          Contacts
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Contacts

10/06/2010  03:04 PM    <DIR>          .
10/06/2010  03:04 PM    <DIR>          ..
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of C:\Windows\System32\restore

10/06/2010  03:05 PM                76 MachineGuid.txt
               1 File(s)             76 bytes

     Total Files Listed:
               1 File(s)             76 bytes
               3 Dir(s)  112,236,990,464 bytes free

C:\Windows\system32>DIR C:\Windows\System32 /AR
 Volume in drive C has no label.
 Volume Serial Number is 6EFF-DD7B

 Directory of C:\Windows\System32

File Not Found

C:\Windows\system32>DIR C:\Windows /AR
 Volume in drive C has no label.
 Volume Serial Number is 6EFF-DD7B

 Directory of C:\Windows

10/07/2012  03:52 PM    <DIR>          assembly
10/01/2012  09:57 PM    <DIR>          Fonts
10/01/2012  09:57 PM    <DIR>          Media
07/13/2009  06:54 PM               749 WindowsShell.Manifest
               1 File(s)            749 bytes
               3 Dir(s)  112,236,933,120 bytes free

C:\Windows\system32>

I need to get this back to the user by tomorrow (10/15), and I guess at this point if I can't get this repaired before you head to bed (I think there's a 12 hour time difference between the UK and where I am), I'll try a repair install.

Let me know what you need me to do next.

 

[NoelDP]

I can't really see any way round at least a repair install, given that time limit

You should try a Licensing Store rebuild followed by validation, rather than just a simple Key change.


Recreate the Licensing Store
Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories
Right-Click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator - accept the UAC prompt
Run the following commands in the Command Prompt window, using the Enter key at the end of each

net stop sppsvc
(wait until the service has stopped before entering the following lines)

CD %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
REN tokens.dat tokens.bar
net start sppsvc
slui.exe

After a couple of seconds Windows Activation dialog will appear.
You may be asked to re-activate and/or re-enter your product key or Activation may occur automatically.
If you are asked for your Key, use the one on the COA sticker on the machine's case

Reboot, and see what a validation attempt achieves (if anything!)

Sorry I can't think of anything else!

 

[Keirnoth]

No problem - I'll give it a shot.

I tried restarting the eventlog service (net start eventlog) and I'm getting the same error, so it sounds like some permissions are still messed up.

I'll get back to you once I get this taken care of. I'm doing a backup before I proceed with the validation/licensing steps.

 

[Keirnoth]

All right, thank you for your efforts Noel.

I tried to use the steps above but it wouldn't work. Something about the Software Licensing service reporting that the key was invalid.

At this point I gave up and said screw it, I'm doing a repair install.

I started the repair install (had to uninstall iTunes on the machine first). After the repair install, it complained about activation again, but this time gave me the opportunity to do automated activation over the phone. That went without a hitch.

Repair install took awhile, but it worked. Things seem back to normal, though now I'm going to have a talk with the owner about the numerous amounts of junk he installed.

Thank you for your help Noel. I'm sure we would've fixed this had I had more time, but I wanted to get this finished since I was hanging onto this laptop for a week.

 

[NoelDP]

I know the frustrations involved - unfortunately, working over forums tends to take quite some time unless the solutions are already known

Glad everything seems to have gone OK - hope the client is happy!

Good Luck.

 

[robndan]

help need help please my computer wont download anything lots wrong with it can any one help as dont wana re format self extracting has stop workng

 

[NoelDP]

Please start a NEW thread of your own, and detil your own problems there - hijacking someone else's thread confuses everyone, and is impolite.