Unable to System Restore.

[scobe]

Hi

Yesterday my son got the hump with Norton Anti Virus & switched the PC off whilst Norton was updating & scanning. (It does seem to take forever & stops everything else from working!)

Windows XP with 2009 Norton

 

Problem 1: Norton will now not open when double clicked & I have lost the little icon in the Windows tool bar. I have been to the Symantec web site & uninstalled then re-installed updated 2010 AV with no effect. (Still won't open!)

 

Problem 2: I tried to do a system restore. I can open the system restore page. click on a date to restore too. But when I click to go ahead & restore, nothing happens, I can go no further.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

Thanks in advance

 

Steve

[scobe]

Now found disc defragmenter won't start either! Help!!! Edited December 17, 2009 by scobe

[Dalo Harkin]

Common problem with Norton unfortunately, it does take the system over.........

ok do you know how to go into safe mode? keep pressing F8 at start up (BIOS post screen)

it should give you the option to enter safe mode - choose safe mode with networking and see if you can update Norton or do a system restore from there :)

[Jelly Bean]

I have a feeling there is a virus on this computer and sugest you visit our security section.

 

Sytem restore can be done through setting first boot to DVD rom in BIOS pop in disk and option system restore.

[RandyL]

It's hard to say but I'm inclined to think like Jelly Bean on this one for several reasons.

 

Norton seem to take forever & stops everything else from working.

 

Norton will now not open when double clicked & I have lost the little icon in the Windows tool bar.

 

I tried to do a system restore. I can open the system restore page. click on a date to restore too. But when I click to go ahead & restore, nothing happens, I can go no further.

 

Disc defragmenter won't start either.

 

To me it sounds like malware has infected Explorer processes and your antivirus. Very typical.

 

As Dalo said doing a system restore from safemode to before this problem happened might temporarily solve your issue. It's a good place to start.

 

If you investigate you may find other processes disabled too if it's malware corruption.

 

As to whether it's Norton or malware is hard to say without knowing more. It depends somewhat on what Norton products you have. What Norton do you have?

 

Doing a system restore via other methods than safemode depends on exactly what computer you have or what disks you used to install XP.

 

In this case since you can still boot into Windows I would post in the malware section as Jelly Bean suggested. Post all the relevant information there and link to this thread too.

 

In case you need a direct link to this thread you can copy this. http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/windows-2000-and-xp/8760-unable-system-restore.html

[scobe]

Thanks for the reply guys.

I have attempted to do a restore from safe mode, but the same thing happens.

I have a Dell dimension 2300 with Windows XP home.

All software loaded at factory

Norton 2009 anti virus (Supposedly updated to 2010 but I can't tell as I can't open it.)

 

I must say that I am a complete novice & don't understand most of what is said

quote Jelly Bean:

"Sytem restore can be done through setting first boot to DVD rom in BIOS pop in disk and option system restore"

 

It's also the first time I've heard of malware

 

I will go to security section & post there, although I don't think there is any other info I can give at the moment.

 

Thanks again

 

steve

Edited December 18, 2009 by scobe

[Dalo Harkin]

It's hard to say but I'm inclined to think like Jelly Bean on this one for several reasons.

 

Norton seem to take forever & stops everything else from working.

 

Norton will now not open when double clicked & I have lost the little icon in the Windows tool bar.

 

I tried to do a system restore. I can open the system restore page. click on a date to restore too. But when I click to go ahead & restore, nothing happens, I can go no further.

 

Disc defragmenter won't start either.

 

 

 

All the above could also point to a failing HDD

[RandyL]

That's true. I didn't think of that.