Big problem

Big problem

by danetree Nov 25, 2004 10:29AM PST

A week ago I found a virus on my machine and promptly deleted it. This little ****** though seemed to appear each time I booted up, so I would remove it before continuing with my work. At the same time, I was communicating with my virus software company explaining that this virus would keep appearing despite being killed and we were in the process of trying to solve the problem.

Suddenly, last night when I went to open my computer it would not open. The initial boot would fire up, got through the that then it would stop saying that the machine had not booted properly last time and that it had to either be booted in safe mode, step-by-step confirmation, normal and one other option. I have tried all of these three and they either land back on this screen or hang on the winme opening screen.

All i want to do is get the machine up and running so that I can save all of my materials before wiping the machine clean. I realize this should have been done much earlier but the blame rests with me.

Could some one walk me through how I could do this or point me to where I might find a solution? I have the start up disks made from when I installed 98 and ME, but am unfamiliar with how to actually use them. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Re: Big problem

by rileyt Nov 26, 2004 7:29AM PST

Danetree,
Do you know when the virus was downloaded?
If so use the following:
Start>Accesories>System Tools> System restore.
Restore your computer to an earlier date.
Hope this is helpful,
Tony

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Re: Big problem

by danetree Nov 26, 2004 7:53AM PST

Thanks for the reply and advice, however, the machine won't start. I can't get to the desktop and conduct a retore in that manner. The machine hangs before it gets thats far. I need to be able to get to desktop, thats my problem.

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Re: Big problem

by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Nov 26, 2004 9:25PM PST

Have you tried to load up ME in Safe Mode?

When tyou start the computer and it says Loading Windows, press the F5 key once a second and you should get a menu option including starting in safe mode.

If the F5 key is not the right key, reboot and try the F8 key.

Mark

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Re: Big problem

by datalookup Nov 27, 2004 1:21AM PST

Hi, here is a suggestion that may help to start the computer. Put the boot disk in the floppy drive and your Win ME CD in the CDROM drive. Have the Product Key available as well. Then boot up the computer from the floppy drive. When the boot menu appears, select Start computer WITH CDROM support. Confirm that there are NO Scandisk Errors on the Hard Drive. Then go through the Setup as usual noting any setup errors in the process. Write back to the forum if you have Setup errors. Normally, loading Windows ME this way will replace any corrupted boot and system files and get you to the desktop and still keep your previous settings and programs intact. After that, then back up your important information, then proceed with the formatting process. I recommend to do a low level format to completely remove all traces of viruses and old data. You will need specific low level formatting software designed for your particular Hard drive. DO NOT perform a Low Level Format if the Hard Drive Manufacturer advises against it. But if you do follow through with the low level format, you will need to recreate your Partitions on the Hard Drive with the FDISK utility on the boot disk. Then do a regular high level format with the boot disk and install Windows ME as usual. P.S. Look up PC 911 from another working computer with internet access. Great installation instructions for the Windows operating systems. Good Luck.

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Re: Big problem

by thebaitguy Nov 27, 2004 10:48PM PST

To be simple you may have gotten a virus that has already attached itself to system files, or important shared files that make your machine work in sync. You maybe ought to look into a new hard drive if you aren't a little computer skilled in trouble shooting. Nothing is to say that you have a real nasty virus, but for 40 or 50 bucks, you can be sure of no viruses.
Also a hard lesson when u don't back up your stuff.
CD burners are a cheap way to save yourself trips to the shrink. Good Luck.

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Re: Big problem

by danetree Nov 29, 2004 7:40AM PST

Dear All,

Thank you very much for your advice and suggestions. In the end I tried booting the machine with the start up disk and tried to reinstall the system. I tried scandisk, scanreg etc, but after these the machine would come up with an error "fault outside of MS-DOS extender" and I could not proceed. I spoke with my brother and he suggested buying a another HD, installing it as the primary and the old one as a slave. This I did and was able to salvage all the data and burn it to CD. Now I plan to use the old HD as storage, only that I have to figure out how to fdisk the slave. Will have a look around on the net and see what I can find. Thanks all for your help, much appreciated.

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