Safe Mode

Safe Mode

by hfirebaugh Jan 1, 2013 7:11AM PST

I recently received a virus on my Dell XPS 410, running win 7 ultimate, and attempted to remove it with several anti-virus programs, but failed. Then I tried to remove it in safe mode, but I couldn't get into safe mode by hitting F8. Then I went into the sys config and checked the safe mode box, hit the apply, then ok. Before that, I was actually seeing things on the screen. I think that by hitting the apply box was my fatal error. Now my computer goes through the start up process, but nothing appears on the monitor-nothing. I have ran the installation repair disk, the computer identifies the drive, turns the disk, but nothing appears on the screen. Is there any hope in repairing this machine? I really need and appreciate your help on this. Thanks in advance.
Herschel

Discussion is locked

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Which virus?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 1, 2013 7:17AM PST

There are a few that you must pay for removal. The SAFE MODE failure does sound as if the OS has been seriously damaged. Example of a bad infection is over at http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6132_102-578886/zeroaccess-rootkit-symptoms-found/?tag=contentBody;threadListing

There may be other video outputs on the PC but I can't tell exactly which model this is.
Bob

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(NT) It was the one that required 100.00 payment(FBI)

by hfirebaugh Jan 1, 2013 8:12AM PST

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The payment I referred to was legitimate.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 1, 2013 11:55PM PST

The one I linked to required the full version of the antivirus to do the repair. Some call that extortion but for free, the antivirus only offered defense but not repair.

Since the damage looks deep I agree with Kees. Here's the tutorial on using Ubuntu to get your files out.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

Bob

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Safe Mode

by hfirebaugh Jan 3, 2013 1:44AM PST

Bob,
I went to the tutorial, and it mentioned a Ubunta Live CD but I couldn't find it, so I made a DVD(CD too small), put it in the drive and it loaded but the icons look nothing like the tutorial. There is a vertical line of icons on the left of the screen and when I click on one, a white box appears with nothing in at. So, obviously I can't access the windows files to make changes. I still think that when I clicked on the safe mode box in sys config, that locked the system, preventing Ubunta from fully loading. Like I said before, the win 7 install disk won't load. I've spent many hours on the internet trying to find a solution, but nothin yet. Again, any recommendations or solutions would be appreciated.

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Odd. Ubuntu Live CD

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 3, 2013 1:58AM PST

I read the article again and I see Ubuntu Live CD is clickable and it took me to the site to get the .iso.

The version of Ubuntu changes over time so try other tutorials such as this one.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MountingWindowsPartitions#Using_the_File_Manager

I've rarely had to do more than use the file manager.
Bob

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Things you can do

by wpgwpg Jan 1, 2013 7:19AM PST

You can boot from a Windows 7 repair disc and get into the Command Prompt to save your data. You could also boot with Ubuntu or a disc to restore your computer to factory settings. Of course if you have a system backup, you could boot from the recovery disc you have for your backup/restore software.

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 $70 these days and a really good FREE backup program is the Easeus todo backup free which you can download from
http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm . 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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Safe Mode

by hfirebaugh Jan 1, 2013 9:12AM PST

When the computer runs the install disk, nothing comes up. I don't have any options to do anything. I see nothing on the screen. I still believe that when I checked the apply box in sys config to accept the change, that was what killed the computer. There must be fix for this problem.

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Get hold of a Win 7 repair disc or

by wpgwpg Jan 1, 2013 9:34AM PST

a Ubuntu disc, or a UBCD disc. You can make a Windows 7 repair disc on any Windows 7 computer, you can download a Ubuntu ISO image from http://www.ubuntu.com/download, and you can download the files to create a UBCD (Ultimate Boot CD) from download.com . All 3 of these options will give you a CD you can use to boot to either the command prompt or a Windows like desktop (UBCD or Ubuntu). That will allow you to access your files on your computer.

Good luck.

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Safe Mode

by hfirebaugh Jan 1, 2013 11:42AM PST

Thanks, I'll give it a try tomorrow.

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Safe Mode

by hfirebaugh Jan 6, 2013 12:00AM PST

Thanks to all that offered assistance, but nothing has worked. So, my question now is: if I replace the hard drive, will windows be able to recognize the hard drive to format it and reload my programs? Also, it seems that the more I try solutions, the more harm I do. I am at the point where at start up, the computer indicates 3 green lights(123) (another failure has occurred) and 2 beeps-nothing more after that. Thanks

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safe mode

by hfirebaugh Jan 6, 2013 10:30PM PST

I have tried all three options and none have worked. As I mentioned in another reply, when the system starts, I runs for a few seconds with alternating green lights and stops with lights 1,2,3 and two short beeps. I am at the point of replacing the hard drive. If I do, will the system recognize the new drive and allow me to format it? Thanks in advance.
Herschel

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No you don't format it.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 7, 2013 3:58AM PST

You boot the restore or OS CD and let it install to the new blank drive. If you partition and format in advance you can trip up the OS install or restore.
Bob

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