[WINDOWS PROBLEM] No programs are opening

[Sarath]

PROBLEM RESOLVED

Thanks to everyone who has contributed.I couldn't have moved an inch without your support:

• dashing.sujay
• Neuron
• Tech&ME
• s18000rpm
• MatchBoxx
• Sam
• mithun_mrg
• Liverpool_fan
• Zangetsu
• TheMost

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ORIGINAL POST

I just ran a virus scan, Avast, and it did a second "reboot scan" or something like that. After that when I booted my PC, I found that I could't open chrome, soon I realised I can't open any other program be it firefox, itunes, utorrent, garena client, vlc videos, WM Player or any program for that matter.

However IE is working for some reason. Also I can open jpg files. I am really worried as I don't remember doing a system restore point and also haven't backed up my files to do a clean install again.

During the virus scan, I selected "delete" for the files that had been detected. I am not sure if this was the reason. There were about three such files needing deletion.



Anyone?

[dashing.sujay]

Well, deleting virus infected-files should not be responsible for your problem. Before doing anything I'd suggest you to do a full scan with any good AV such as Kaspersky or Eset. If you are unable to install them, download Kaspersky's bootable cd and scan with it by booting from it. I guess the problem is due to some virus only which your AV, avast couldnt remove due to some reason. Once i came across a virus which disabled Kaspersky and i was in a condition like what to do So first do a boot time scan with it and see what happens.

I don't remember doing a system restore point

PS- What do you actually mean by it? You don't remeber how to do or...?

[Sarath]

Even system restore failed. It says the anti-virus needs to be disabled for that. But I can't even open the AV now.

Also the bottom right row of icons has suddenly reduced to just the bluetooth, realtek audio, and win update. The rest of the icons in the tab are missing.

[dashing.sujay]

hmm I guessed sys restore wouldnt work. Anyways, but I'd really recommend you to try the kaspersky boot cd scanning. I have came across some viruses which dont let me open any single file, neither to install!! So, give it a try.

[Sarath]

Hmm what exactly is kapersky boot cd scan?

I have a copy of kapersky from a friend. Now what do I do next?

you mean kapersky rescue disk? I am DLing it right now.

[dashing.sujay]

kaspersky rescue disk

Yeah. I'm suggesting it becoz Kaspersky has got one of the highest detection rate for viruses. And if Kasprsky can't, then i seriously wonder who'll.

[Sarath]

Most of the programs show stopped in mscongfig

[dashing.sujay]

I guess you are reffering to services. Yeah, its obvious if so many programs are not working, services are ought to be stopped by virus. Just do a boot scan from that rescue cd and if all goes well, you'll be happy. But i seriously feel, if removal of all viruses will bring back windows to its original state. You may need to "repair" your OS after that, but that shouldnt be a problem as it wont threat your data.

[Sarath]

I am burning the disk now. Also how to boot from the disk? What do I need to do?

[dashing.sujay]

Well KAV rescue disk is bootable by default. You dont need to make it bootable AFAIK.

[Sarath]

Ok then doing a reboot now. See ya in a while

Thanks for the help sujay. Really appreciate it.

[dashing.sujay]

Anytime bro I'm also off for a while, till then post your result. gL

[Sarath]

I am unable to boot from the disk. I tried about 5 times now.

First few times I tried normally and waited for it to boot by itself like you said. Then I went to the EFI menu (newer BIOS) and chose to boot from the disk and it still loads Windows. Tried this thrice.



I feel pathetic. This is a PC i love more than anything else.

[MatchBoxx]

Check this link: Downloadable Computer Repair CDs | Technibble

[mithun_mrg]

@ sarath i think ur pc was infected with win32sality ur best bet is to install norton or kaspersky perform a complete scan backup ur files & reinstall the os

[dashing.sujay]

Originally Posted by Sarath

I am unable to boot from the disk. I tried about 5 times now.

First few times I tried normally and waited for it to boot by itself like you said. Then I went to the EFI menu (newer BIOS) and chose to boot from the disk and it still loads Windows. Tried this thrice.



I feel pathetic. This is a PC i love more than anything else.

Check this- How to record Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 to a CD/DVD and boot my computer from the disk?

Kaspersky rescue disks are made to boot by self, i don't know why yours not booted. Did you download it from kaspersky's site? If no, do it from there.

PS- If everything fails booting from that cd, try Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool and scan your PC in safe mode.

[Zangetsu]

Originally Posted by Sarath

During the virus scan, I selected "delete" for the files that had been detected. I am not sure if this was the reason. There were about three such files needing deletion.

perhaps this may be the reason the programs r not opening...

scan with other anti virus such as Bitdefender or Avira..

& then re-install the programs which were not opening.

[s18000rpm]

First try burning the kaspersky image at lower speed, preferably at 4x speed.
This kind of thing happened to me, but the reason was ccleaner's registry cleaner.

Luckily I had tune up utility, only its One Click Maintenance saved the day for me.
That to I had to run from task manager (file-run).
Btw, Why not try scanning in safe mode?

[Tech&ME]

Best solution would be to boot with a linux live cd, take backup of all your important files and data, then reinstall the windows OS ( fresh and clean install )

[Sarath]

I burnt a the DVD-RW at 4x which was the only option.
Then I burnt a CD at 10x although the max was 16. Even the CD didn't work.

trying to install Kapersky Virus removal tool also didn't work. I think none of the .exe files can be executed. Nothing that exists already works.

I am worried as to how to backup the contents. Wont connecting a external drive corrupt/infect the ext drive too? I will try the linux method. Booting into the Kapersky disk has failed for the 12th time today despite selecting it in the EFI menu.

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UPDATE:

I entered safe mode and did a system restore and it worked. I am not able to open most of the programs except AV.

Task Manager still shows many processes are stopped. Also Avast is disabled and on an attempt to enable it it promts that a program is trying to stop it.
Installing Kapersky also failed or didn't initiate and hanged my PC.

All in all I am sure that my PC is still infected.

Backup: Backing up my data is my main problem. Since it is infected, how can I safely transfer/back up my data into a portable HDD? Wont the virus infect the HDD also and then

Thanks everyone for your help. I am having sleepless nights because of this.

[dashing.sujay]

^^ Did you go through that help page of kaspersky ? Did you download the image from kaspersky site? I really dont know what could be the problem behind cd not booting. Anyways, the last option left is Linux thing, except full format(which is not an option here). Go ahead and tell us what happens.

And yeah, of course your ext hdd will for sure be affected. But you can scan it with a good AV such as KAV after you do a fresh install with full format. But why to take risk, first try linux method, if it fails, then back up the data.

[Sarath]

About the kapersky rescue disk. I have followed everything to the point. yet it doesn't boot on any of my PCs so I must have done something wrong.

Is there a special program to create bootable disks. I did not use any burning SW; I used the windows default method of burning by simply "right-clicking" and selecting "send to DVD drive" and then go to the DVD in My Computer and hit burn file.

If the method is right then I have no idea why it is not booting. I will try one last time.

Right now I am trying to install that Kapersky SW link you gave me up there. I will try installing that and run a scan.

If that fails then I will try the Linux method you guys suggested. Although honestly I didn't really understand that part. But more on that later.

If all fails then I will copy a few important files and do a clean (and painful) OS install.

[dashing.sujay]

I used the windows default method of burning by simply "right-clicking" and selecting "send to DVD drive" and then go to the DVD in My Computer and hit burn file.

This seems doubtful. I'm not sure, but hell, you tried 12 times, and you never did this once with nero? Give it a try for sure, and I'm pretty sure this is the reason why your cd wasn't able to boot up. BTW you can make any easy cd bootable through nero. Option is there. Also, you can make a pen drive bootable. I suggest you to make a spare 1GB/2GB/any small size mem card with Hiren's boot cd installed on it. It helps a LOT. Plus no tention to boot. I have done this to tackle with any emergency case.
As for Kaspersky virus removal tool, do run it safe mode only. Although i guess the scanning will take a hell lot time. But safe mode is only option to go.

PS- There's nothing coplex with linux thing. Just boot with any live distro, and scan/back up all the files. Linux is very robust against viruses.

[Sarath]

I installed and ran the virus scan without going into safe mode. Only about 2% has commenced; should I reboot into safe mode and re-run the scan?

Ah yes I sucessfully installed Kap virus removal tool.

I will try downloading something like free iso burner etc and try it. this laptop is very low on space so can't install a lot of SWares.

I am going to burn a DVD-RW using iso burner or something similar.

Thanks a million again,

[dashing.sujay]

Do scan strictly in safe mode! As it will keep you more on the safe side. And beware, kaspersky's scanning is a bit slow, so it will take a min of 1 hr. And yeah, you can use any soft to burn ISO like ultraISO or anything.

[s18000rpm]

that KAV rescue disk come in ISO format (image file), so you HAVE to burn it in "Create/Burn Images" mode
Windows 7 can burn that format, but simply sending the image file DVD -burning it doesn't work.
If scanning in Safe Mode also takes a lot of time, then re write the KAV Rescue Disk as an image file, & run boot scan
Use this for that - The Official ImgBurn Website

[dashing.sujay]

^^Scanning through KAV rescue disk will take only marginally less time. Although its a better option.

[Tech&ME]

I don't understand one thing which is going on here.

1. What is the use of KEEPING / RESTORING a badly infected installation of Windows ?

2. Why can't you use LINUX to take a full backup of your important files ?

3. Why can't you install windows a fresh ?

[s18000rpm]

3. important data in OS drive

[Neuron]

Do try sfc/scannow.Also try creating a new user account.