Getting rid of rootkits without normal/safe mode

[TomanMT]

These past couple days all I get is a black screen with or without a cursor, that doesn't seem to change. I left it on once for a few hours and when I came back it'd rebooted.

 

[TomanMT]

I left it on and worked in front of the computer to keep an eye on it-- the reboot must've been caused by a BSOD as I just got one.

 

[Borg 386]

Depending on the severity of the virus you had, it may have severely corrupted some of the system files. You might want to try doing a repair install.

Do a Repair installation if:

• A System Restore did not help fix your Windows 7.
• There is no other easier option left that can fix your Windows 7.
• You DO NOT want to do a Clean reinstall of Windows 7.
• You DO want to preserve your user accounts, data, programs, and system drivers.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

In the meantime, just to be safe, try to migrate as many as your personal files as possible to a storage medium in case a clean install is called for.

 

[TomanMT]

Can I do this by running the disc from boot?

 

[Borg 386]

Yes you can. Or you can do it from a USB. You have several options. Read the tutorial along with the warnings, some limitations apply.

You cannot use a OEM Windows 7 "Factory" Restore/Recovery type of installation disc that came with or created from a store bought computer to do a repair install with. These can only be used do a clean install instead.
You can do a repair install on a factory OEM installation with the latest official Windows 7 with SP1 ISO file here: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links, and use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the repair install from within Windows 7.

Note
If you do not have a Windows 7 with SP1 installation DVD/USB, then you can download the latest official Windows 7 SP1 Media Refresh (SP1 U) ISO file here: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links, and use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the repair install from within Windows 7 using this step.

 

[TomanMT]

Hello,
I've created a bootable USB but upon running it and reading the tutorial again, it has become evident that I cannot run a repair install from boot and need to be logged into windows 7.
It seems like my only option is a custom install from boot (which will remove all my files).
What do you think?
Thanks,

TomanMT