Win 7 OS problems

[Malydee]

8/11/12 After downloading Internet Explorer 9 and opening the Google Search Bar, I noticed that the start page went from Google to an Incredibar page with a floating invitation which I could not delete. I did a search which indicated that this was add aware which was difficult to remove.
I ran a virus check on McAfee which indicated a virus attack had taken place but had been fixed,
When I tried to print out a report the system was unable to open either oof my 2 printers.
When selecting Google search bar, still directed to a different site to selected site.
Internet explorer not shown in Start / list of programmes
Tried to install IE 8, message “not compatible with this OS”
12/11/12 to 15/11/12 Ran –
Spybot Search & destroy, Adaware. Malware Fighter. Malwarebyte anti malware. Spy Hunter

Some improvement but still no IE, No Printing and All web searches redirected

Spy Hunter Indicated following threats –

Adaware Sweet – minimal threat
Snap do – Dangerous
Virus Google Redirect – Virus, highly dangerous
Virus Google Redirect – Virus, highly dangerous

16/11/12: Message - Variant, Kazy, 1– “infected with GEN Kazy 1. 07024

I have now gone through the start up repair 11 times

18/11/ to 19/11/12 have tried to do a start up repair using the Win 7 disk

Start up repair message
Windows cannot repair this computer – 2 messages

• View Diagnostic and repair details
• View Advanced options

New message –
Separate start up repair – cannot repair this computer automatically
Ø Send Information About Problem
Ø Don’t send
View problem details as follows
Problem Signatures
01 - 6.1.7600. 16385
02 - 6.1.7600. 16385
03 - Unknown
04 - 21200293
05 -- Auto Failure
06 - 22
07 - 0x6b
OS Version – 6.1760.0.2561
Local ID - 1033

Is there anything I have missed as I cannot load the Win 7 O/S disk to carry out a repair

 

[Britton30]

You may need to run Windows Update and install SP1 and the updates that follow.

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start

You will need disks provided to do the repairs. If you have problems booting a disk see Step 11.

If unable to repair Win7 after disinfecting from boot you're probably better off anyway with rescuiing your files to quarantine (to be scanned with MB and MSE) then running Factory Recovery or getting the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 following the steps closely in tutorial to use only the tools and methods which assure a perfect install.

MucAfee is the worst AV you can impose on yourself, actually an infection in itself which we solve by uninstalling it. Replace with Microsoft Security Essentials.

Spybot and Adaware are also dated choices with much better ones available now in Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware. I would uninstall the old crapware, install the better choices and run regular full scans.

Going forward watch your downloads like a hawk to find all the ways that spyware like Incredicrap is snuck in, even in the License Agreement. Keep an eye on your browser Add-ons and only run the ones you know for sure you need like Flashplayer, Reader, Java and Silverlight.

 

[Malydee]

Many thanks for the information supplied –
Update 21/11/12 – Have just noticed that Internet Explorer has a credibar search tab above the Bing Search bar. Have disabled it
Last successful boot – 18/11/12, 28 attempted repairs.
Following your list
Item1
BIOS set to boot from CD. Despite 4 attempts using F3, unable to get into safe mode to use Malwarebytes. Prior to being unable to open Win 7, I did use Malwarebytes & Super Anti Spyware & carried out fixes identified
Item 2
Windows defender off line – carried out a quick scan, 12980 checked & full scan, over 560,000 items scanned over 2 hours.
Results - home tab - Virus definitions up to date, in the history tab no information in the tabs – quarantined, allowed or detected. Bit locker not available.
Unable to move disk to another PC, may buy another one & check the current one in a caddy.
Item 3
SFC-SCANNOW - message - not recognised as an internal or external command, operable prog or batch file
Item 4
Using Win 7 disk, System recovery, booted from disc 5 times, selecting Win 7, changing the user language etc to UK English. Message panel – Cannot repair then start up repair could not detect a problem
Item 6
Bootrec.exe. tool, fix boot, same message as the SCANNOW check.
Item 7
System recovery tried previously.
Item 8
Boot from Partition wizard CD. Only 1 partition evident. Selected rebuild MBR
Reboot tried from disk then without, no success.
Marked whole partition as active.
Checked system files, all files could be viewed, no issues apparent

22/11/12

Booted again from disk, Win 7 no longer shows as available in the loading bar. Selected add drivers from computer.
New screen showed C/Hitachi, 259 G free and a new x/boot partition of 33.5 MB
Opened CD drive (D) , 9 files available from Boot to Set Up. Boot then tried set up, no response
Booted from disk again – Message “start up repair cannot repair automatically”

Further to item 2, I am now considering removing the HD, fitting a smaller HD and loading Win 7. I will fit it to a spare caddy & then use Partition Wizard recovery tool to recover & transfer to various downloads.

 

[Britton30]

For the file scan did you type it as follows?

sfc /scannow

 

[Malydee]

Hi
I only entered SCANNOW as per the list

 

[Britton30]

Try option two from here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html?ltr=S
The light blue text is a link to a tutorial.

 

[Malydee]

Hi
I have carried out the following sfc/cannow checks in command prompt after carrying out system repairs each time:
Option 1- Six times with no OS disk, then three times with OS disk in place - message - "there is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete
Option 2, Verifyonly - twice - same message.
Option 3 As I was not able to copy & paste the code to the command prompt, I copied it to a word doc, enlarged the font & carefully typed it in 3 times including varying the 2 spaces between findstr and / and c]" to %windir
I suspect this is a big problem which may need a clean re-install on a new HD
Thanks for your help

 

[gregrocker]

Run the Hitachi Drive Fitness Test from bootable CD to confirm the condition of your HDD.

Those errors you're getting when trying to run sfc /scannow and bootrec /fixboot, etc. mean you are not typing the commands correctly. Refer to the tutorial showing the exact sfc command, and the screenshots which show how bootrec is sequenced here.

Did you previously only have one partition? After marking Active with PW CD, did you try Rebuild MBR, then if it doesn't start run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times no matter what it reports?

The key to tap repeatedly at boot to get into Safe Mode is F8. If you get the Asus BIOS boot menu first, select HD, then tap F8 again to access Advanced Boot Options .
On Asus mobos use the key given on first screen for BIOS setup to get into BIOS.

Partition Wizard cannot be used to transfer data or image to another HDD. The rescue methods are in Step 9 of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start.

If the HD passes diagnostics and you can run the tests which have errored correctly to completion and there is still no progress then I would follow the steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which are the same for retail. If the HD fails diagnostics, I would replace it and do the Clean Reinstall. If you stick with the tools and methods in the tutorial you will get and keep a perfect install.

 

[Layback Bear]

Did you follow the suggestions by Greg of removing McAffe, Spybot and Adaware?
To make it clear. SFC /SCANNOW There is a (space) between the C and /.
SFC (space) /SCANNOW

 

[cryptoncore]

try running micosoft fixit, may help with the hosts file and some other problems, you never know.

How can I reset the Hosts file back to the default?

 

[Malydee]

Hi
I did not spot the space between the 2 sections, will repeat the checks.
Many thanks

 

[Malydee]

Hi
23/11/12

Ran Hitachi Fitness Test – OK
Carried out scannow tests with varying results for option 1 with same report 3 times out of 7.Option 2 verify only ran 3 times – OK.
Carried out repairs 4 times, still not opening OS
Set system to boot from CD and carried out 4 repairs – no improvement
I only had 1 partition on the hard drive.
Ran partition wizard, the 35Mb partition was no longer there, reconfirmed rebuild of MBR. Rebooted 4 times, still the same
Rebooted with OS disc 5 times, no change.
I have now ordered a new HD and will carry out a clean installation and recover my files using a caddy.
Thanks for all your help, cannot win them all the time.

 

[Britton30]

Try a fresh install as Greg suggested since you drive passed the test. Don't install ANY toolbars or Search bars, they are just blots and many have malware/viruses as well. Run Windows Update right after you install your drivers and MSE, see link blow my sig.
Don't use McAfee, Spybot, SpyHunter etc.

 

[gregrocker]

Why are you replacing the HD if it passes the Fitness Test? Just boot the installer, delete all partitions during install to run the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7