Laptop Won't Boot, can't get past Initial Windows Screen

[Jim15]

Okay, decided to just run it since it seemed kind of like the obvious choice...

I ran extended scan, but it also ran a quick scan first. It only took 14 seconds. The result?

"Test completed with read element failure"

It says that I can continue to the full scan to resolve the issue.

I'm going to continue with the full scan, but I'm sure it's a bad sign.

 

[gregrocker]

Writing zeroes to the HD wipes it clean. There is no benefit to doing this now since you have a successful install.

What you need to know now is how serious the problems are and if they are reparable. You may need to run the Extended scan more than once to be sure.

Afterwards run Disk Check again with both boxes checked.

 

[Jim15]

Bad news.

The scan never completed, and I got this message:

"Too many errors found - Please contact technical support"

Sounds like the final nail in the coffin.

Though I would like to see what Malwarebytes shows me and GMER as Legacy suggested earlier too. I want to be sure the HD is dying before I buy a new one.

 

[Peregrine]

I think you've already got your answer. You've had multiple pieces of evidence from several sources. Doesn't get much clearer.

Malwarebytes will only scan for malware and won't give you any information about the condition of your hard drive.

Time to start shopping I would say.

 

[Jim15]

I think you've already got your answer. You've had multiple pieces of evidence from several sources. Doesn't get much clearer.

Malwarebytes will only scan for malware and won't give you any information about the condition of your hard drive.

Time to start shopping I would say.

Yeah, maybe I just don't want to admit it... only 8 months old, that HD. Guess I have to be extra careful with my lap top from now on.

 

[Peregrine]

I feel for you. Mine was only 3 months old. But all is well once it got replaced.

All the best.

 

[gregrocker]

Hardware normally has a year's warranty.

I would contact manufacturer's Tech Support for advice on replacing it, possible RMA'ing it.

 

[Jim15]

I feel for you. Mine was only 3 months old. But all is well once it got replaced.

All the best.

Thanks, and all the best to you as well.

Hardware normally has a year's warranty.

I would contact manufacturer's Tech Support for advice on replacing it, possible RMA'ing it.

Acer's terms are a little confusing, though that doesn't surprise me. It says that they won't be held responsible for any accidents, thouh I can't be sure that an accident caused this.


I know this is foolish, but I just had to try malwarebytes and GMER as a desperation tactic. Malwarebytes was freezing a lot. First when I tried to download, then when I did the extended scan. A quick scan turned up nothing.

GMER just finished up and found some things. I can't tell what they are, but it won't give me the option to delete them. It's under rootkit/malware, so shouldn't I assume that's what it is? :shock:

But it won't let me look at the full file names. Maybe I'm just not using it right. The "Type" is also called "Reg". Should I assume that means regular? I don't get it...

EDIT:

Just found out that it means "Registry"... the same registry that the lifeguard diagnostic told me was corrupt! What the hell? Have I really just had malware this whole time?

http://www2.gmer.net/rootkits.php

Search "Gromozon Rootkit" on that page. "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ >>>"

That's what I have according to the scan. Oddly enough, there's 5 of them listed, but i can't do anything to them.

 

[Peregrine]

Well, considering you just did a clean install, I'd say not.

 

[Jim15]

Yeah, but is it possible that such a thing could survive the reinstall? Legacy seemed to think so when he sugested it a few pages back, though I really have no idea. I have also found out that the same file is talked about by microsoft as something completely different. Very confusing that these files would be listed as rootkits, and why are there multiples of the same one? It's just weird.

 

[Peregrine]

Remember that several tools have shown you have a bad hard drive. Windows reported errors and aborted routine operations due to hard drive issues. I don't think you can trust anything from that drive from any software. It's demonstrated many times now that files can't be read properly. At this point I wouldn't put any stock into the results of these scans.

I still think you should replace the hard drive and start over.

 

[gregrocker]

Infection rarely will survive a reinstall unless it's in the BIOS (doubtful here) so if there truly is infection remaining it must be in the files partition(s) you saved and now has spread into the OS.

What was the result of the Malwarebytes full scan?

You need professional analysis of the specialized rootkit tool so post the results in the Safety forum.

If your Acer is under warranty I would call Tech Support asap to report problems with the HD, telling them the tests you've done but not mentioning any possible causes. They will probably want to confirm the HD condition and may RMA the machine to do this. They'll likely tell you that they won't cover it if it is damaged but it's doubtful they have a way to determine that if the case isn't marred. You may very well get a new HD. If not ask for their help in replacing it: the model, specs necessary, and how to find another. Use fully the tech support if not the hardware replacement warranty until you have the replacement in place and shaken out - you want these things done by the time the warranty runs out.

 

[Hotdog69]

Hate to bump old threads but..

A friend of mine had this exact same laptop with the exact same problems you were having. I downloaded Western Digital drive diagnostic and got the same 0120 code you did. I tried a few more things with no luck.

The problem: I think some nasty little virus unmounted the restore partition so you cant access it.

The Fix: Download Ultimate boot cd 5.11 which is a linux type diagnostic cd.

use the tool called parted magic and mount the first partition in the list which should be dev1 then reboot the computer.

on reboot press and hold Alt key and F-10 key at the same time.

You come to acer restore and be able to restore everything to factory defaults.

This worked for me

 

[gregrocker]

Nice workaround Hotdog69.

Another thing to try first is marking the Recovery Partition Active, which is what the hotkey is supposed to do, then reboot. Partition - Mark as Active (Method Two)

 

[Jim15]

Hate to bump old threads but..

A friend of mine had this exact same laptop with the exact same problems you were having. I downloaded Western Digital drive diagnostic and got the same 0120 code you did. I tried a few more things with no luck.

The problem: I think some nasty little virus unmounted the restore partition so you cant access it.

The Fix: Download Ultimate boot cd 5.11 which is a linux type diagnostic cd.

use the tool called parted magic and mount the first partition in the list which should be dev1 then reboot the computer.

on reboot press and hold Alt key and F-10 key at the same time.

You come to acer restore and be able to restore everything to factory defaults.

This worked for me

I actually haven't gotten aorund to replacing my HD yet, so I'll give this suggestion a try, thanks. Though I won't be able to for about a week or two unfortunately...

 

[Jacee]

Gromozon Rootkit Removal Tool Prevx

 

[Ghostrider1208]

Do this

Press control alt delete and restart computer and or run in safe mode

 

[Sarionlt]

Jim 15!

I have the same problem that you have..
The only difference is that i've done the start up repair for almost 2 days.
I have no system image saved and no operational system tool/s.
Have you fixed your problem? and how?

I haven't use my notebook for a week.
I've been googling for solutions all day.
Pls. Reply! I really need your help..
P.S. I only know the basics of the computer.
Thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot.

They lead up to if necessary copying out your files, running Factory Recovery or Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 with everything you need in the blue links.

If you will keep us posted on the results of the steps we can offer more specific fixes.

 

[windude99]

Jim 15!

I have the same problem that you have..
The only difference is that i've done the start up repair for almost 2 days.
I have no system image saved and no operational system tool/s.
Have you fixed your problem? and how?

I haven't use my notebook for a week.
I've been googling for solutions all day.
Pls. Reply! I really need your help..
P.S. I only know the basics of the computer.
Thanks!

You may want to install Windows over your current installation. This tutorial should tell you how to do that: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html