Inactive Windows did not start properly loop

[tgugino]

Originally Posted by tgugino
I don't know if I have a virus or h/w issue. When I reboot I get the screen with message windows did not start properly restart in safe mode, safe with networking, last known working configuration, etc. No matter what oPtion I select it does not start and I'm taken back to the did not start properly screen. Help.

 

[Broni]

Please, observe following rules:

• Read all of my instructions very carefully. Your mistakes during cleaning process may have very serious consequences, like unbootable computer.
• If you're stuck, or you're not sure about certain step, always ask before doing anything else.
• Please refrain from running tools or applying updates other than those I suggest.
• Never run more than one scan at a time.
• Keep updating me regarding your computer behavior, good, or bad.
• The cleaning process, once started, has to be completed. Even if your computer appears to act better, it may still be infected. Once the computer is totally clean, I'll certainly let you know.
• If you leave the topic without explanation in the middle of a cleaning process, you may not be eligible to receive any more help in malware removal forum.
• I close my topics if you have not replied in 5 days. If you need more time, simply let me know. If I closed your topic and you need it to be reopened, simply PM me.

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Let's see, if we can look at your computer booting from an external source.

Please download OTLPE (filesize 120,9 MB)

• When downloaded double click on OTLPENet.exe and make sure there is a blank CD in your CD drive. This will automatically create a bootable CD.
• Reboot your system using the boot CD you just created.
  • Note : If you do not know how to set your computer to boot from CD follow the steps HERE
• Your system should now display a REATOGO-X-PE desktop.
• Depending on your type of internet connection, you should be able to get online as well so you can access this topic more easily.
• Double-click on the OTLPE icon.
• When asked Do you wish to load the remote registry, select Yes
• When asked Do you wish to load remote user profile(s) for scanning, select Yes
• Ensure the box Automatically Load All Remaining Users" is checked and press OK
• OTL should now start.
• Press Run Scan to start the scan.
• When finished, the file will be saved in drive C:\OTL.txt
• Copy this file to your USB drive if you do not have internet connection on this system
• Please post the contents of the OTL.txt file in your reply.

 

[tgugino]

When I double click on the OTLPE icon, I get a Browse For Folder dialog box that asks me to choose windows directory. What should i do next?

 

[Broni]

Navigate to a folder where Windows is actually installed.
Usually it'd be C:\Windows.

 

[tgugino]

When I double click on C drive there doesnt seem to be any files or folders there.

 

[Broni]

I'm afraid your Windows installation is totally corrupted, or you have a hard drive problem.

What Windows version is it?

Do you have any Windows disks?

 

[tgugino]

the pc has windows xp media center. I do have reinstallation cd ms windows xp home edition from another pc.

 

[Broni]

That won't work because license key won't match.

You may want to contact your computer manufacturer to obtain recovery CD.

Before you go there, I suggest you test your hard drive.

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 (or http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28744&hl=hard+drive+diagnostic)
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), to make the CD bootable.
For Toshiba hard drives, see here: http://sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Pa...rivesUSandCanada/SoftwareUtilities#diagnostic

Note : If you do not know how to set your computer to boot from CD follow the steps HERE

 

[tgugino]

I ran the seatools (seagate) short test and it failed. It recommended running long test and it may be able to fix the bad sectors, so I ran the long test. It stoped and suggested I repair them so I did but it still doesnt boot up to windows. How do I recover my files I want off the c drive?

 

[Broni]

Yeah, it looks like a bad drive.

You can try to slave the drive in another working computer, or you can buy USB hard drive enclosure, or: http://www.smartestcomputing.us.com...142119__hl__ubuntu__fromsearch__1#entry142119
Hopefully your data is still there.