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Question

Any suggestion on how to fix or an alternative way to reset?

Jan 18, 2015 4:44AM PST

So I was recently the victim of a decryption virus and when I tried to fix it and restarted my pc It started windows then the login screen was different, the user acct icons were white rectangles, the power option icons in the bottom right were gone so a simple shift + restart for boot menu was out of the question.
I have the ability to enter my pc by logging in but it heads to a black screen with very few options, I can open task manager by doing ctrl alt delete and clicking the option though its in the same language, which is rectangles and triangles and other odd things. I was wondering if there is a way to hard reset by just messing around with the pc components or a way to fix this.my pc is a asus x550c with windows 8.1

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
But which decryption virus?
Jan 18, 2015 4:46AM PST

Since each one has its own removal or mitigation procedure, I don't expect a one size fits all solution short of "format and reload then restore from your backup."

Also share how this invaded your PC.
Bob

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reply
Jan 21, 2015 3:00AM PST

Well im not really sure as to what the virus mightve been named all I know for sure it was information hijack for ransom, basically lots of files were encrypted and simply said help_decrypt, there was a link to places to pay at.
For thr most part when I try to go to boot mode to hard reset it simply will not lead ,me there.

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Sorry if I repeat.
Jan 21, 2015 3:15AM PST

Without a name I fear you'll have to take it to those data recovery houses. Nod to drivesavers.
Bob

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Answer
Can you boot to Safe Mode?
Jan 18, 2015 4:48AM PST

If you can boot to Safe Mode, I'd do that and then run System Restore. If you can't do that, you'll probably need to save your data and restore to factory settings.

When you've gotten your system back like you want it, I urge you to get yourself an external hard drive and a good 3rd party backup program. You can set it up to do everything automagically at the time and frequency of your choice. 1 TB external hard drives are about $55 these days and a really good FREE backup program is the Easeus Todo Backup Free. That can save you a lot of time and frustration the next time something like this happens. Sooner or later it happens to all computers for one reason or another.

Good luck.

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Answer
system restore to restore point
Jan 18, 2015 5:35AM PST

try a system restore to a previously saved restore point prior to when the problems started. hopefully they had not been infected. If they have been, the best thing to do is to reinstall your operating system. Backup any files you cannot afford to lose. If unable to, try booting to a linux disk. I would suggest linux mint. You can move from folders to usb drive or external drive just like you can in windows.