Think i have a virus,nothing will update; security,windows,java etc. Keep getting redirected on every site i try to visit. (very frustrating)Tried to reinstall vista with reinstallation disc, dvr drive will not respond with vista disc but works with any other disc.Tried clicking f8 on startup but takes me to a password screen similar to normal password screen ,but it looks like its in safe mode and will not accept my user name or password.All i want is a complete restore but it will not let me! Please anyone help before i throw it off the roof!
can not reinstall vista on dell e521
- Thread starter meekle
- Start date
Lorien
Account Suspended
Hi meekle,
Welcome to Vista Forums!
If you can't restore to factory conditions either normal way, we need to see if we can either fix the computer or get it to the point where you can restore.
You can make a bootable Recovery Environment Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD (perhaps made on a different computer like the one you used to post here).
Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. The recovery disk works a bit different from the above procedures but if you follow the prompts from the System Restore menu option with the above information you should be able to restore with no problems.
If the System Restore doesn't work, do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk with recovery options included on it. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html. To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence. To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup. Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit. Put the CD in the drive and reboot. When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.
If that doesn't work, then let's check some of your system files:
Go to Command Prompt on the disk menu.
Type cd C:\Windows\System32 and enter. Then type sfc /scannow and enter and let it run. It will scan and try to fix some of your system files. Hopefully it will complete with no corruption it could not repair (if there is such corruption post back here or try to analyze it to find the problem file(s) using http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228. Try to attach the report (you may need to copy it to your desktop or to a flash drive to use on another computer before it will permit you to attach it) here so we can see if they can be repaired with good copies from the installation disk (unless there are too many).
While in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and enter and let it run. It will want to schedule itself to run at the next restart. Answer yes and then reboot to run the program. It will scan and try to fix any corruption or bad sectors on your hard drive and mostly remove that as a potential cause.
If that doesn't work, you'll need to attempt the rest using the computer in normal mode as best as you can (perhaps with an assist from another computer). If you can do these things, great. If not, then skip that step and move on.
If that doesn't work, try a clean boot http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135. If the problem goes away then it's just a matter of tracking down the culprit causing the problem. Follow the procedures in the article. Once found, delete, remove, deactivate, or uninstall it. Once done be sure to reset Vista back to normal status as explained in the procedures. If the problem occurs in clean mode then just restore the system to normal status and reboot - this solution is not going to work.
If that doesn't work, then please post the details of any repeating critical or important error messages from the Event Viewer (Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Event Viewer). Here's how to use Event Viewer: http://www.petri.co.il/vista-event-viewer.htm. Look in the System section. If there are too many, just try to post the ones that seem related to the problems you're having.
I realize you're having troubles with the internet, but if you can download the installation files and removal tools on another computer and save them to a flash drive or CD and install them that way, we may be able to test for and remove malware if that is the problem. Try to run anti-malware programs. To try to fix this problem (if it is the problem) download, install, and run the following two programs: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php and http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html. You may also want to try the new, free Microsoft Security Essentials http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Microsoft-Security-Essentials-Download-131683.html (with the caveat that only ONE AV program can be installed and running on your system at any one time). Use removal tools when appropriate http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/05/05/comprehensive-list-of-uninstallers-or-removal-tools-for-antivirus-software/. You may also want to try the free Avira at: http://www.free-av.com/ and Avast at: http://www.avast.com/index. Reboot after completing all the scans. You may also want to try the free OneCare at http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm (if you can get to the site) and let it run all the options (except the registry cleaner) because that’s good maintenance (it will take some time to complete but can be done in the background).
If you really want to just restore the system to factory conditions, you can first use Knoppix http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html with a good ISO copier like: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm along with a blank CD. This should give you enough access to the system (if you can't get in any other way) to backup your important data (as long you have something to backup to that the system can access - perhaps and external HDD or a Flash Drive).
Then clean your System Recovery Disk gently with a soft tissue going from center to edge with a soft tissue (to remove smudges and anything on it that may be interfering with it reading) and try again. If that doesn't work, try booting into Safe Mode again with F8 to see if that now works.
I hope this helps. If not, please post back and we'll see if we can come up with some other options to try - I still have a couple of ideas (though they are long shots).
Good luck!
P.S. If you learn anything interesting or important as you proceed, please post as it may help revise the order of things or we may try something else as a result.
Welcome to Vista Forums!
If you can't restore to factory conditions either normal way, we need to see if we can either fix the computer or get it to the point where you can restore.
You can make a bootable Recovery Environment Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD (perhaps made on a different computer like the one you used to post here).
Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. The recovery disk works a bit different from the above procedures but if you follow the prompts from the System Restore menu option with the above information you should be able to restore with no problems.
If the System Restore doesn't work, do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk with recovery options included on it. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html. To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence. To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup. Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit. Put the CD in the drive and reboot. When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.
If that doesn't work, then let's check some of your system files:
Go to Command Prompt on the disk menu.
Type cd C:\Windows\System32 and enter. Then type sfc /scannow and enter and let it run. It will scan and try to fix some of your system files. Hopefully it will complete with no corruption it could not repair (if there is such corruption post back here or try to analyze it to find the problem file(s) using http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228. Try to attach the report (you may need to copy it to your desktop or to a flash drive to use on another computer before it will permit you to attach it) here so we can see if they can be repaired with good copies from the installation disk (unless there are too many).
While in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and enter and let it run. It will want to schedule itself to run at the next restart. Answer yes and then reboot to run the program. It will scan and try to fix any corruption or bad sectors on your hard drive and mostly remove that as a potential cause.
If that doesn't work, you'll need to attempt the rest using the computer in normal mode as best as you can (perhaps with an assist from another computer). If you can do these things, great. If not, then skip that step and move on.
If that doesn't work, try a clean boot http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135. If the problem goes away then it's just a matter of tracking down the culprit causing the problem. Follow the procedures in the article. Once found, delete, remove, deactivate, or uninstall it. Once done be sure to reset Vista back to normal status as explained in the procedures. If the problem occurs in clean mode then just restore the system to normal status and reboot - this solution is not going to work.
If that doesn't work, then please post the details of any repeating critical or important error messages from the Event Viewer (Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Event Viewer). Here's how to use Event Viewer: http://www.petri.co.il/vista-event-viewer.htm. Look in the System section. If there are too many, just try to post the ones that seem related to the problems you're having.
I realize you're having troubles with the internet, but if you can download the installation files and removal tools on another computer and save them to a flash drive or CD and install them that way, we may be able to test for and remove malware if that is the problem. Try to run anti-malware programs. To try to fix this problem (if it is the problem) download, install, and run the following two programs: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php and http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html. You may also want to try the new, free Microsoft Security Essentials http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Microsoft-Security-Essentials-Download-131683.html (with the caveat that only ONE AV program can be installed and running on your system at any one time). Use removal tools when appropriate http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/05/05/comprehensive-list-of-uninstallers-or-removal-tools-for-antivirus-software/. You may also want to try the free Avira at: http://www.free-av.com/ and Avast at: http://www.avast.com/index. Reboot after completing all the scans. You may also want to try the free OneCare at http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm (if you can get to the site) and let it run all the options (except the registry cleaner) because that’s good maintenance (it will take some time to complete but can be done in the background).
If you really want to just restore the system to factory conditions, you can first use Knoppix http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html with a good ISO copier like: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm along with a blank CD. This should give you enough access to the system (if you can't get in any other way) to backup your important data (as long you have something to backup to that the system can access - perhaps and external HDD or a Flash Drive).
Then clean your System Recovery Disk gently with a soft tissue going from center to edge with a soft tissue (to remove smudges and anything on it that may be interfering with it reading) and try again. If that doesn't work, try booting into Safe Mode again with F8 to see if that now works.
I hope this helps. If not, please post back and we'll see if we can come up with some other options to try - I still have a couple of ideas (though they are long shots).
Good luck!
P.S. If you learn anything interesting or important as you proceed, please post as it may help revise the order of things or we may try something else as a result.
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
- CPU
- 2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
- Motherboard
- Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
- Memory
- 2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
- Graphics card(s)
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
- Sound Card
- SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1200 pixels
- Hard Drives
- Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
- Case
- Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
- Mouse
- Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
- Keyboard
- Standard PS/2 Keyboard
- Internet Speed
- 1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
- Other Info
- Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive] Dell AIO Printer A940 Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem 6TO4 Adapter Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter Microsoft ISATAP Adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface Router Linksys / WRT54G -01