Dratted computer is in trouble ...

[Mara]

Oh dear, I have a thread going in another section about my CD burning problem - but think I must put that aside until this more serious woe is taken care of.

 

Although I am absolutely and positively sure (gentle smile) that I don't have any 'bugs' lurking in the computer (have Windows XP with AVG running (had to uninstall ZoneAlarm as I could no longer connect to any internet site), plus have Malwarebytes and SUPERAntiSpyware and neither of the later two have found any problems) ...

 

My regular scan with AVG showed 'Trojans', which it put into "Quarantine", this afternoon. Ran the other programs again immediately afterward and apparently all is well. Likely not applicable to my below problem? - but just in case, I'm adding the screen shot from AVG - and will apologize ahead of time should this request for help have been placed elsewhere.

http://i33.tinypic.com/bj7491.jpg

 

 

But that said, my computer is getting more and more woes (unable to even follow basic instructions given under my CD burning thread because all my 'windows' are opening incorrectly, etc) ... and worse, I have spent the past 45 minutes attempting to fix things on my own -with no success.

 

Immediate problem:

Cannot get 'System Restore' to restore to any given 'highlighted' date showing.

 

Have worked by way backward on each and every highlighted date, back to beginning of July - and each time a window comes up saying, "Restoration Incomplete - No changes have been made to your computer".

 

Very much not true, so I have two questions, please:

 

1. First, just in case my computer truly crashes and I can't return - and need to place the Windows Discs I made when computer was new (it didn't come with Windows XP disc, unfortunately) into the computer ... how can I make a CD start automatically when it's inserted, please? (My D and E drive aren't starting anything auto any more when a disc is inserted).

 

2. Any suggestions on how to make my computer do a proper System Restore, please?

 

(I do feel badly about joining and having computer woes so soon - but I honestly do appreciate the wonderful help and kindness here).

[Goku]

Hello Mara. I am no expert at these problems but as far as I can see, it appears 3 of the Trojans were in the System Restore directory. When AVG quarantined these Trojans, it possibly corrupted all the previous Restore Points. If thats the case, then I am afraid, that the restore points are now permanently damaged and therefore cannot be used.

 

This is just my opinion on the problem so don't get disheartened yet. Someone more experienced may come along and may help you out so please hang in there.

 

And ask all the questions you want; we are only too happy to help. :)

 

-- Goku

[Seth]

Given all the problems, I agree that you should wipe and reload.

 

You may not have to use the cd's, as the hard drive might have a "hidden partition" that you can restore from.

 

What is the model number of the Sony?

[RandyL]

Hi Mara;

If you decide to reinstall XP from the disks you created you should have no problems. The disks are bootable and will run before you boot into Windows as long as the BIOS are set to boot from the disk drive first.

 

This is not the same as Auto Play. Auto Play runs from Windows and depending on what you chose as the defaults for file types it will open accordingly. Auto Play can even be disabled.

 

Of course backup everything before you reinstall.

 

Seth has a point that it might be easier for you to just start over. Of course we won't give up on you should you decide not to.

[Mara]

I had no idea a Trojan could corrupt so much, including one's Restore points! Worse, I don't know where it came from as although AVG did catch it, my version of AVG doesn't say when or from where.

 

Hope the below will help identify my model:

Sony Vaio "RB (VGC-RB52) (this may be the model #?)

Windows XP Media Center Edition

'Intel Pentium D, Processor 820, Speed 2.8 ghz

System memory 1 gh, DDR2 SD Ram, PC2-4200

(Purchase date April 2006)

 

Backing up everything important may be a wee problem as my D and E drive are also being affected - but, that said, I shall dash out in the morning and get one of those little things one plugs into the computer to download on (a mini hard drive?), if it would help.

 

Just in case there isn't a "hidden partition" available to use, may I please clarify the steps involved in using those 8 discs created when computer was new.

 

1. "Disks are bootable" ... does this mean they will start auto when popped into either D or E drive?

2. "will run before you boot into Windows" ... does this mean I actually do something to 'boot into Windows? (I'm afraid my idea of 'booting' a computer is turning it on - gentle smile).

3. "as long as the BIOS are set to boot from the disk drive first" ... how does one set "BIOS", please?

 

Again, how very kind and patient all of you are - I truly, truly appreciate it!

[Seth]

Hi Mara.

 

You shouldn't have to use the cd's. Have a look here:

 

 

View Document

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

The 3rd one in that list, OtSacanIt, is a false positive. Malware fighters use that program to look for malware :)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Dougie gave me that link as a download at bleeping computer and ESET flashed it up as dangerous, so false positive or not I wasn't prepared to down it just to look at it Maynard.

[DSTM]

Dougie gave me that link as a download at bleeping computer and ESET flashed it up as dangerous, so false positive or not I wasn't prepared to down it just to look at it Maynard.

 

I took your advice ages ago,Wolfey,and it has worked for me.:)

"If in doubt,Don't"

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Can I see a reg hack for the recycle bin there Mara?

 

What other stuff has been changed or is it some obscure icon changing software you have?

[maynardvdm]

Dougie gave me that link as a download at bleeping computer and ESET flashed it up as dangerous, so false positive or not I wasn't prepared to down it just to look at it Maynard.

 

Wolfey, More than half the tools used at the MRU gets flagged by AntiVirus software as dangerous. It is the way these tools are designed that makes the antivirus software flag it.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Well that's as maybe and call me nervous but I'll leave it alone thank you very much.

[Mara]

Poor computer is, I suspect, beyond regular 'bit by bit' find and repair - I say this only because so much of the system is affected - and even getting the computer to run is a challange this morning. (Just booting it resulted in that pesky "Windows Explorer has experienced a problem..." window popping up and closing everything and it even prevents me from returning to DISC Cleanup or trying 'Device Manager' (re D and E drive).

 

Dashed out this morning and bought 3 mini-drives and started downloading my vital things ... and even some of them won't copy onto the mini-drives because an AVG (?) window pops up saying "Trojan" found (couldn't take 'snapshot' as it will no longer work right now either, but some of these programs are ones I've had a long, long time - gentle sigh).

 

But what wonderful news to read that I have a built-in 'Start all over again' right here in the Vaio computer - yipee!!! (Not having to use those discs is a huge relief!). Thank you, thank you!!

 

Off to finish saving everything I can - and then to start brand-new - what wonderful help all of you have been and I thank you so sincerely! Gentle hugs to all!

 

(Read the words about a particular program at another site that was to be good at ensuring one's computer has no errors ... please trust me when I say don't download it. The assumption may be that the warning alarms that flash up are "all false positives" is highly unlikely to be true. Checked my computer journal late last night and the massive woes began right after I installed it. Could be a coincidence, but ?. No one's fault by my own as I forgot the golden rule - "when in doubt, don't"!).

[Seth]

Ok, good luck Mara.

 

Keep in mind that you can't just can't copy most programs onto another computer. They actually need to be "installed" on the computer.

 

The recovery will put back all the software that it originally came with, so in general you just need to back up documents and pictures.

[Mara]

Okay, thanks for letting me know, Seth.

 

Am having a major woe right now ...

 

Found the great section with VAIO Recovery ... but:

1. Opened "Restore C" drive ... and while it opens and I can read the info, the 'next' won't highlight.

2. Opened "Recover original software and drivers" - and although the 'next' is highlighted, it's frozen.

3. Tried the option where I use all the discs and the 'next' won't highlight.

 

Is there anything I can do to overcome the reluctance of computer to perform any of the above? While it's lovely that VAIO has provided these options, I have my fingers crossed so so so hard that even this section isn't corrupted - eep!).

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Have a look here Mara, enter your Vaio's details and read how to recover.

 

Vaio : Support : Back-Up and Restoration

[Mara]

Thanks for the great link, Wolfeymole! I've bookmarked it and am sure it will come in ever so handy in the future.

 

Honestly, I'm beginning to think of myself as a computer-duffas as, when I got to the site, my Model (VGC-RB52) isn't listed ... so went to the section where it helps one find product code and serial number.

 

Typed in both (double and triple checked) and although the wee circle lights turn from red to green, nothing happened.

 

So ... went back and chose a model similar to mine and proceeded to see if it had a hint as to why my Recovery won't play nicely. Sadly, nothing I could spot ... so I'm back to still struggling.

 

The Recovery program/page "Restore C: Drive ... Step 1 of 4" opens but the 'next' area still refuses to highlight so I can click on it. (Thought it might just be feeling sluggish so waited nearly 1/2 hour and still nothing).

 

Guess if I can't get the 'next' area to light up so I really can move on to the next step (2 of 4), I'm doomed to try the 8 discs.

 

Or ... is it really possible that I can do 'something' (?) to allow another person using his/her computer to rummage around inside mine? At least to see if they could get the 'next' to light up so I could actually use my built-in Recovery system to start all over.

 

If I do need to use the 8 discs, I did see at the site (under the instructions for a model similar to mine) that when using the self-made discovery discs, a person should:

1. Insert CD in CD-ROM drive

2. Start or re-start your VAIO

3. When you see the VAIO Logo, press F2 repeatedly to enter the BIOS

4. Once in the BIOS, insert the first recovery disk in the CD-Rom

5. Press F5 on VAIO desktops

6. When asked to confirm, press Enter

7. Press F10 to save.

(Additional steps are at site but shall have to write everything out by hand as my computer has taken a dislike to 'copy and paste' and 'snapshot' nor printer is functioning right now either).

 

This is where my feeling of being a duffas really kicks in ... the first step says, "Insert CD in CD-Rom" ... but doesn't step 4 say to wait until once in the BIOS before inserting first recovery disk? - and if so, wonder what that first disc they are referring to is, if not a recovery disk?

 

Do hope I'm not causing a huge case of 'grinding enamel off teeth' with all my questions - gentle smile.

 

Thanks again!

[Goku]

If you click on Start then Vaio Central a window should open up.

 

Click on the Support tab, then Recovery.

 

A dumb question but have you tried to restore your computer that way? If not, then please try to do so and see if it helps the situation or not. Good Luck. :)

 

-- Goku

[Mara]

I know I haven't explained my steps very well and do apologise.

 

This is what I've been doing:

 

Start>VAIO Support Center>VAIO Recovery>

Screen goes black for a macro-second>

New page called VAIO Recovery opens (showing several choices)>

Clicked on "Restore C: Drive">

Another page opens saying, "Restore C: Drive, Page 1 of 4" ...

But at the bottom of the page there is a choice (back or next) and

the word 'next' is not highlighted - and because of this, I can't click on it and proceed to page 2 of 4, etc.

 

Over and over again, I can't get to page 2 of 4 of the above - and I've been back to the VAIO site again lest I missed a part about what to do if a word such as 'next' refuses to highlight.

 

Again, I apologise for being unclear in what I've been trying to do and I'm ever so sorry.

[Goku]

No problems Mara. You don't need to apologize for my lack of grasping. I will research your case and will get back to you. :)

 

-- Goku

[Seth]

I suspect that either a third party program is preventing the "next" from highlighting, or it is errors on the hard drive (In which case you would run hard drive error checking).

 

Let's address the first possibility. Try to run the recovery from Safe Mode. To access Safe Mode, keep tapping F8 as soon as you turn on the computer. A menu will appear in which you use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, then press Enter.

[Seth]

Continued from above:

 

If that doesn't work, go to Start>Run, type in chkdsk /f (space between the K and /), then click ok. At the black screen that appears, press "Y" and restart the computer. Windows will start to load, then you should see the hard drive error correction initiate. Once it's complete, Window's will restart. Now try the recovery.

[Mara]

Thanks ever so much, Seth - shall write out the instructions and try it first thing in the morning (it's getting a bit late here and my mind is turning to mush - gentle smile).

 

So wonderful of you to help, especially since just minutes ago my AVG threw up a warning that it found 2 more Trojans - and when I clicked on 'remove threat', another window arrived saying it couldn't. (Literally have not been anywhere on the internet except right here for past two days and I know that I haven't picked up a Trojan here - just convinces me even more than my poor computer is in serious difficulty).

 

It's exciting to know that as early as tomorrow the poor magic box may be working wonderfully again - thank you, thank you!

[RandyL]

Mara there is every reason to believe your system is still infected. AVG Free is not good enough for protection and even worse on removal of Trojans. If you want you can follow our complete guide on Malware removal.

[RandyL]

Your model can be found by inputting VGC-RB52 Use option 2 in support.

 

Since your system is so corrupted you may need to use the disks to reinstall before you boot into Windows. Open the PDF file. Now save it to disk for safe keeping.

 

Scroll down and look at

To perform a complete hard disk drive recovery

To recover drive C

Print that or or print the entire pdf file so you can follow the instructions.

I think the first option will be your best bet.