Solved Restoring System to factory Settings / General Computer Woes?

Ok, so I just recently acquired a computer from a friend, that was a little less then gently used, and at least 4 years old. It's a Gateway MT6452 running Windows Vista, and prior to my turning it on 3 days ago, hadn't been turned on in over three years. So, I went through and I uninstalled a bunch of uneeded / junk programs (the previous owner was a teenage girl, thus there were a lot of games and whatnot), ran as many updates as I could (there were 40+), and ran both a malware scan with MalwareBytes and a virus scan with the free version of AVG and cleaned up the computer considerably.

However, I'm still having a number of problems that I can't seen to get to the bottom of.

- Upon start up, I am getting a message that tells me to install a driver for a mass storage controller, despite the fact that I have not had any mass storage things connected to the computer.
- I ran the PC Analyzer thing with AVG, and am told that I have over 500 registry errors. Is this a reliable source, and if so how would I go about repairing them?
- At first, I had installed Avira as a free anti-virus. However, after completing a scan with it, it began to act funny and eventually stopped working all together. Now, upon startup, I get an error concerning one of the startup files for Avira. I can have tried uninstalling it, an it immediately tells me that "Avira Set up has stopped working" and my only option is to terminate the program. At that point, I tried manually deleting the program files, only to be told that I do not have permission to do such thing. I am running the the profile I am on currently with administrative powers, so I'm not sure why I'm being told this.
- After having all of these problems, I finally figured that I might as well attempt resetting the computer to factory settings. However, I've tried multiple methods to doing this and none have worked. I tried using the Gateway Recover Center that comes with the machine, but it does not give me the option to do a Reset to Factory Settings. I also tried using F11, which only managed to get me to a system restore point, and ALT+F10, which only took me to the boot options screen before start up. Finally, I tried installing the "Gateway Recovery Management" program that my computer was supposed to have come with, and I can't even install that.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could take care of these problems, or at the very least restore my system to factory settings?

Likely, the computer has been severely corrupted by cyber attackers. Aside from getting yourself a recovery disk of Windows Vista (of the version it has). You'll want to aggressively configure the computer's firewall and other setting to prevent those who have obtained sensitive personal information of the specific computer. For example, you'll want to use Windows Firewall with Advanced Security blocking inbound and outbound connections that don't match a rule. Next you're going to want to disable all the services that you don't need. You can Google Vista Services Cheat Sheet for more information (just configure it according to the "Tweeked" panel).

Also, you might want to try running SFC (System File Checker). Just go to the Windows button, search cmd, run as administration, then type "sfc /scannow". However, it's likely the system is far more severely corrupted and a clean install is the best and easiest method.

xBlackheart said:

Likely, the computer has been severely corrupted by cyber attackers. Aside from getting yourself a recovery disk of Windows Vista (of the version it has). You'll want to aggressively configure the computer's firewall and other setting to prevent those who have obtained sensitive personal information of the specific computer. For example, you'll want to use Windows Firewall with Advanced Security blocking inbound and outbound connections that don't match a rule. Next you're going to want to disable all the services that you don't need. You can Google Vista Services Cheat Sheet for more information (just configure it according to the "Tweeked" panel).

Also, you might want to try running SFC (System File Checker). Just go to the Windows button, search cmd, run as administration, then type "sfc /scannow". However, it's likely the system is far more severely corrupted and a clean install is the best and easiest method.

Click to expand...

Thank you ;3

This may be a silly question, but how would I go about figuring out what version recovery disk I would have to get?

All you've got to do is figure out the exact version of the Windows OS. For example, Vista Home Premium. You'll also need to match the exact bit. Make sure to check if it's 32bit or 64bit. That's very important. Normally, it will tell you if it's 64bit. It will say, Windows Vista Home Premium x64. Also, make sure the recovery disk you get is for the Operating System and not just a Drivers recovery disk. You need a Windows Vista Recovery Disk.

As for the 500+ registry errors, try fixing it with ccleaner, it will also help you get rid of the junk and leftovers from the uninstallations.

CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

And to get rid of that pesky anti virus, try going into control panel and turning UAC off.
(User Account Controls) This should get rid of the administrator prompt.