Nothing will open (programs, files, etc..)

[Stevethaboss]

Alright so last night I was using my computer just like I have been for the past 2 years. Today when I turned it on, I tried to open chrome but it wouldn't work. I tried and tried and restarted my computer many times but It never worked. Then I realizes nothing would open. When I did Ctrl alt delete it wouldn't work and error screen would eventually show up. So I went into safe mode and tried doing a system restore or whatever and it did it. But the problems continued. I can't restore to an earlier date either without an error screen. I have no antivirus and if it is a virus I can't download it because my Internet programs dot work. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME OUT I NEED MY COMPUTER FOR SCHOOL AND EVERYTHING ELSE!!! Thx

 

[indianacarnie]

Welcome to the forums!

Wish it could be under happier circumstances but lets see what we can do. The first thing you need to do is give us some system spec.'s so we know what we're dealing with. No Anti-Virus?!? You're a brave soul indeed. Since you can get into safe mode, have you tried a system restore to the" last known good configuration?"

What error messages are you getting?

 

[whs]

You probably have a virus. Living without an antivirus is like jumping out of the 30th floor of the Empire State building - injuries guarenteed.

I would say you are ready for a reinstall of the OS because even if you would manage to remove the virus, there will be significant damage to your system left.

Save your data with a live Linux CD (e.g. Knoppix) and go from there.

 

[nilank]

@OP; please describe more about the "error screen" you encounter.

 

[Stevethaboss]

You probably have a virus. Living without an antivirus is like jumping out of the 30th floor of the Empire State building - injuries guarenteed.

I would say you are ready for a reinstall of the OS because even if you would manage to remove the virus, there will be significant damage to your system left.

Save your data with a live Linux CD (e.g. Knoppix) and go from there.

What is the "OS" sorry I'm not good with this it sounds like Mac... Also what is a Linux cd? Thanks!

 

[Golden]

OS = Operating System (e.g. Windows 7)

If you aren't comfortable with computers, then perhaps its best to seek professional services at a computer store to help you rejnstall Windows 7 as suggested.

Regards,
Golden

 

[nilank]

You probably have a virus. Living without an antivirus is like jumping out of the 30th floor of the Empire State building - injuries guarenteed.

I would say you are ready for a reinstall of the OS because even if you would manage to remove the virus, there will be significant damage to your system left.

Save your data with a live Linux CD (e.g. Knoppix) and go from there.

What is the "OS" sorry I'm not good with this it sounds like Mac... Also what is a Linux cd? Thanks!

OS means Operating System. Eg, Windows 7, XP, Vista, Mac OSx, Ubuntu, etc. Linux is an OS. There are lots of "Linuxes" out there like Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Red Hat, Knoppix, Mint etc.

 

[Stevethaboss]

You probably have a virus. Living without an antivirus is like jumping out of the 30th floor of the Empire State building - injuries guarenteed.

I would say you are ready for a reinstall of the OS because even if you would manage to remove the virus, there will be significant damage to your system left.

Save your data with a live Linux CD (e.g. Knoppix) and go from there.

Ohh okay.. How can I locate and remove the virus if I can't get online?? Or how do I reinstall windows 7.

 

[whs]

I suggest you follow the advice that Golden gave you - find someone locally that can reinstall your system if you care to save your data.

If you have no data to save, it is easy. Tell us the make of your PC (Dell, HP, or whatever) and we'll give you the steps.

 

[gregrocker]

Here is everything you can do for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start starting with disinfecting the OS from either Safe Mode or if you can't get into Safe Mode from a boot disk you burn.

The steps also suggest a free A/V to use after you clean it up or Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Feel free to ask back any questions you have so you understand how to proceed.

 

[Stevethaboss]

Here is everything you can do for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start starting with disinfecting the OS from either Safe Mode or if you can't get into Safe Mode from a boot disk you burn.

The steps also suggest a free A/V to use after you clean it up or Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Feel free to ask back any questions you have so you understand how to proceed.

Thanks! I downloaded malwarebytes in safe mode and ran a full scan and it detected 17 issues. It removed them and restarted my computer. The problems still continue... I don't know what to do now. If I reinstall the operating system will I lose adobe illustrator, photoshop and fl studio? Can I put them on a flash drive? Thanks

 

[Stevethaboss]

@OP; please describe more about the "error screen" you encounter.

I can't recall, but I downloaded malwarebytes in safe mode and it found issues and removed th and my computer restarted but the problems still continue ..

 

[whs]

As I told you, removing the malware will not help. The problems will persist. Your only true option is to reinstall.

And yes, you will lose everything. Your data can be saved but the programs you have to reinstall.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks! I downloaded malwarebytes in safe mode and ran a full scan and it detected 17 issues. It removed them and restarted my computer. The problems still continue... I don't know what to do now. If I reinstall the operating system will I lose adobe illustrator, photoshop and fl studio? Can I put them on a flash drive? Thanks

You should have the disks or installers for these programs and the Product Keys to use for reinstall, just as you should have a clean copy of your files backed up at all times. Anything less is reckless.

You say you "don't know what to do now" but there are over a dozen steps that come next that you should be following if you're not ready to jump to the reinstall.

 

[Stevethaboss]

As I told you, removing the malware will not help. The problems will persist. Your only true option is to reinstall.

And yes, you will lose everything. Your data can be saved but the programs you have to reinstall.

Shoot okay well I guess it's better than buying a new laptop at my age ://. How should I go about reinstalling windows (sorry if I already asked you I'm on my phone and it's difficult to see everything)

 

[Stevethaboss]

Thanks! I downloaded malwarebytes in safe mode and ran a full scan and it detected 17 issues. It removed them and restarted my computer. The problems still continue... I don't know what to do now. If I reinstall the operating system will I lose adobe illustrator, photoshop and fl studio? Can I put them on a flash drive? Thanks

You should have the disks or installers for these programs and the Product Keys to use for reinstall, just as you should have a clean copy of your files backed up at all times. Anything less is reckless.

You say you "don't know what to do now" but there are over a dozen steps that come next that you should be following if you're not ready to jump to the reinstall.

I guess I'll just reinstall after I save some files because it seems like I'm pretty much screwed
:,(

 

[gregrocker]

You'll need to borrow another PC to print out the necessary tutorials and produce the Win7 installer DVD or flash stick provided to do Repairs or Reinstall.

If you save any files, be sure that they are scanned with MB and your AV before reimporting them back into the clean install. You can rescue files which from unbootable Win7 using Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console .

You might be able to run Factory Recovery to reinstall the OS but it will have all of the preinstalled Factory bloatware which is an inferior install.

If you follow the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 it will help you save everything needed and preserve software Product Keys needed for reinstall. Then using only the tools and methods given for the reinstall will assure you get and keep a perfect install.

 

[whs]

Tell me the make of your PC (Dell, HP, Acer, or whatever). Maybe I have the easy procedure to install from the recovery partition.

Gregs tutorials give you instructions to make a clean install (which would be nice), but that may be a bit over your head.

And do you know how to save your files ??

 

[Stevethaboss]

Tell me the make of your PC (Dell, HP, Acer, or whatever). Maybe I have the easy procedure to install from the recovery partition.

Gregs tutorials give you instructions to make a clean install (which would be nice), but that may be a bit over your head.

And do you know how to save your files ??

I have a dell inspiron 1545..
I dont understand a clean install really.. I don't know how to save files.. Sorry lol. I have a 4gb flash drive and I want to save some programs but I cant find the product keys. Can I retrieve them from the program that's installed already without contacting the company..? I have photoshop, illustrator, and fl studio. Thanks man!!

 

[whs]

1. To reinstall a Dell from the recovery partition, this is the procedure:

· Unplug all the devices and drivers from your CPU (except the keyboard and the mouse), including your printer, camera and memory stick.

· Shut off the computer and then turn it on, or simply restart it.

· As soon as you see the Dell logo at the start keep on hitting the F8 key repeatedly. Do not stop until you see the screen that says "Repair your computer." There will be other options too but chose this option and hit Enter.

· Next you will see a prompt window giving you options to select the keyboard layout select from the drop-down menu "US" and click "OK."

· On the next screen you will be asked to select the user ID and the password of your Windows account. Select your user account, but make sure your user account has administrative functions. Type in your password. If you don't have a password, leave it blank and click "OK."

· Now you will come to a window with multiple options. Choose the one at the bottom that reads, "Dell Factory Image Restore." By clicking "Dell Factory Image Restore" , it will generate an operation that will take about 45 minutes to complete.


2. Saving programs makes no sense. You will have to reinstall those programs. If you have not saved the product keys, you will have to get them from the companies that own the programs. Next time, run Belarc advisor and store it in a safe place. That lists all your product keys and more. Try to run the advisor in safe mode, maybe it works.

3. For saving your data files, you need some live CD with which you can boot the dead system. This is a popular one:

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/198909-lucid-puppy-way-recover-files-non-bootable-computer.html

But you need access to another computer to burn the CD.

But here again, if you can copy them to your stick in safe mode, that would be the easiest.