Laptop startup repair failure...

Hi, i've been seeking help on the malware forum and recieved some help from a very patient Jeff. But it seems the problem isnt a malware issue any more. Here's a link to my post in the other forum, which will tell the story so far…
http://forums.whatthetech.com/index.php?showtopic=120518
I hope somebody can find the time to read the posts in that link and, fingers crossed, you might be able to help.
Marcus

Hi Marcus,

In your Malware thread you said "Had a trojan warning last weekend, AVG didn't locate it"

Where was this warning from? Was it from Simply Super Software. you have installed for the "trial" period? If it was I'd ignore it as you are "clean" of nasties according to the Malware Tech.
These sort of programs often give (false) warnings during a "trial" period. It's a marketing technique tio urge(scare) you to buy their software. This is what I found on Bleeping computer about the Spyware and Trojan scanner -

After doing some research, I have yet to see any strong evidence that this software has capabilities beyond that of tools such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware. Furthermore, the free trial that is offered is time-limited (30 days) after which you must register the software to continue using it, and beyond that point a yearly renewal fee is incurred. Other, well established antimalware programs such as the two mentioned above are cheaper especially in the long run as they have no renewal fee.

Again. . . without playing with the software myself I couldn't say for sure. . . but my opinion is that there are probably better alternatives.

So at the moment your Vista is stuck in a Startup repair loop even if trying to go to Safe Mode?

Have you tried the "restore" option in repair mode?

Cheers,
Lee

Hi Lee, thanks for taking the time to read my post. I don't think i've downloaded a trial of simply super software… i'm not quite sure where the warning came from, but i'm pretty sure i only had AVG and Windows Firewall active at the time. I haven't tried the system restore yet, i was waiting to see what Jeff recommended. I'll give it a go…

System restore won't work, first problem was that there isn't a restore point set and then it says my computer is running in limited diagnostic state. The command prompt window opens though, so i think i can try the last thing Jeff suggested. Is there anything you'd like me to try in command prompt?

It's not letting me do anything because all options require a restart and startup is failing. This has all come about after running a windows update That was the last procedure i was able to complete… prior to that, everything seemed to be fixed. With Jeff's help, we managed to find and remove what appeared to be a trojan file. Maybe that Trojan had damaged something, but the startup repair details show no root causes when the laptop is unplugged, and when it's plugged in, the root cause is something like compbatt or something… i've written this at the end of my thread in the malware forum. Sorry, it's not looking very fixable… is my only option factory image restore? I think this will wipe all installed software and documents? Not ideal

Is there anything you'd like me to try in command prompt?

Ok, the system restore option failed.

Try this in command prompt:

1. Boot to the Windows Recovery Environment and select the Command Prompt

2. At the prompt enter the following commands:

cd windows\system32\config

3. At the prompt cd windows\system32\config> enter the following:

ren default default.old
ren sam sam.old
ren system system.old
ren security security.old
ren software software.old

cd regback

4. At the prompt C:\windows\system32\config\regback> enter the following:

copy default c:\windows\system32\config
copy sam c:\windows\system32\config
copy system c:\windows\system32\config
copy security c:\windows\system32\config
copy software c:\windows\system32\config

5. Close the command prompt window and reboot the computer.

Cheers
Lee

Lee, that first command brings up the response 'the system cannot find the path specified.' Is there a mistake with the command, something missing or is there anything else i can try?

The commands given where to create a manual System Restore.
Did you use your Vista disk to get to the command prompt and leave the disk installed?

If so and the first command has not entered, then lets try this route from Bleepingcomputer:
Use your Vista disk to get to How to perform and automatic repair of Windows Vista using Startup Repair.

If nothing there works, well I think your up for a fresh re-install of Vista. If that is the option you finally arrive at and you have files you need to rescue off your Hard Drive, I'll give you instructions on how to rescue them with Puppy Linux.

Cheers,
Lee

Lee, I followed the instructions on there to perform a Start Up repair, on completion, it said to click finish, if the repair had been successful your computer will restart, or some words to that effect. I've clicked finish and the laptop has made all the actions of a normal reboot, but it seems to be stuck on the scrolling green stripe bar with © Microsoft Corporation below it. It's been on this screen for about 20 mins and the laptop isn't making it's usual whirring sound and only the power light is illuminated. Can you help with this or would you prefer me to mither the folk on bleepingcomputer? Marcus

Did you retry the command Prompt instructions I gave in my earlier post by choosing the "command prompt" option from this window? [attachment removed] If that failed, and if after also following the instructions: "How to perform and automatic repair of Windows Vista using Startup Repair" and ended up stuck on a scrolling green stripe bar with © Microsoft Corporation below it, you have arrived at a loss, loss situation and a clean Vista install is advised. Like I said in my last post, if you have any files you need to rescue, that can be done with Puppy Linux. Cheers, Lee

Yes Lee, I went back to your previous post yesterday, it still told me it couldn't locate the paths. Is there a way I can wipe my laptop completely and re-install all the Dell software, and everything else? Something is very wrong, it keeps telling me things are missing or corrupt when i try to re-install vista… File: \windows\system32\config\system status: 0xc000000f Info: Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupt __________________ Another message: The instruction at 0x7402e159 referenced memory at 0x00000136 The memory could not be read __________________ Cannot install required fields. The file does not exist. _________________________ I think i've screwed the whole thing up trying to fix it myself. Is there any hope?

Something is very wrong, it keeps telling me things are missing or corrupt when i try to re-install vista…
File: \windows\system32\config\system
status: 0xc000000f

Error code 0xc000000f - missing or corrupt registry

At some stage it sounds like you have been using a "registry cleaner", "PC Optimizer" or some other program that includes "cleaning up, speeding up or fixing-up the registry" which has corrupted your registry.

Here ar WTT we are regularly advising against using these programs. Eventually and inevitably, they will remove a vital registry file(s) that creates a disaster.

This might be worth a try to fix your corrupt boot file -
Enter the following two commands into Command Prompt, pressing enter after each one. Reboot to take effect-

bootrec.exe /fixboot
bootrec.exe /fixmbr

Don't forget the space between the "e" and "/"

Is there a way I can wipe my laptop completely and re-install all the Dell software, and everything else?

Does your Computer have a factory "recovery" clone of your Vista OS that hasn't been overwritten (wiped) by a later install of Vista with your Vista CD? There should be a "D" partition with a large folder in it if you have, though it is sometimes hidden. That clone (if accessible) will return your laptop to its original factory state.

You should be able to access that by hitting F11 (sometimes 12) on boot . You can check in your PC manual or go to the manufacturers support site.

if the above instructions fail, you need to boot into your BIOS and set CD as 1st boot to wipe everything and re-install Vista with your Vista CD.

To do so, start tapping the "delete" button as soon as you press the boot button and make sure your bios boot-up order has CD as 1st boot under the heading Boot Device Priority or something similar. Use your arrows, enter and escape buttons to navigate around the Bios.

Then go to Installing or reinstalling Windows Vista.


Cheers,
Lee