Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: Jellybott on January 24, 2011, 11:31:36 AM

Title: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Jellybott on January 24, 2011, 11:31:36 AM
hello there, i'm really in a mess, and would really appreciate any help/advice that i could possibly get.  I managed to get a virus yesterday on my Sony Vaio vgn-s5m/s laptop. I cannot get the computer to boot into the operating system (XPhome. as up to date as windows update allows). I have attempted to use the F8 key, and use safe mode, and every one of the options it offers, but to no avail. If I can get to the windows screen, and run my anti-virus (AVG11 free edition, but fully up to date), i will be so happy.

Thank you in advance for any help you could give me please

Jellybott
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Allan on January 24, 2011, 11:51:25 AM
You can try downloading, burning to cd, and running a boot time av scanner
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Jellybott on January 24, 2011, 11:56:09 AM
You can try downloading, burning to cd, and running a boot time av scanner

Thanks for the suggestion Allan, would I get one of those from searching on google? is there a particularly good one you know of?

cheers
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Allan on January 24, 2011, 12:04:53 PM
http://www.techiecorner.com/166/avast-how-to-schedule-boot-time-scan-before-window-start/
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Jellybott on January 24, 2011, 12:36:03 PM
http://www.techiecorner.com/166/avast-how-to-schedule-boot-time-scan-before-window-start/

i've read the page you suggested mate, but unfortunately, i am unable to do it, as i cant get far enough into windows to tell my AV to run a bootable scan. i've been trying trying to see if i can download just the scanner bit onto disk as you suggest, but i think they all expect you  to be able to get into windows to run them

cheers
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Allan on January 24, 2011, 12:45:43 PM
No, they don't. Hence "boot time"
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Jellybott on January 24, 2011, 02:32:29 PM
No, they don't. Hence "boot time"

Thanks Allen. Unfortunately that hasnt worked, so I will have to try and remember how to put it back to factory settings.

Thanks again for your suggestions though

cheers
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: JJ 3000 on January 24, 2011, 09:53:16 PM
hello there, i'm really in a mess, and would really appreciate any help/advice that i could possibly get.  I managed to get a virus yesterday on my Sony Vaio vgn-s5m/s laptop. I cannot get the computer to boot into the operating system (XPhome. as up to date as windows update allows). I have attempted to use the F8 key, and use safe mode, and every one of the options it offers, but to no avail. If I can get to the windows screen, and run my anti-virus (AVG11 free edition, but fully up to date), i will be so happy.

Thank you in advance for any help you could give me please

Jellybott

Why do you think it's a virus?
What happens when you pick one of the options from the safe mode screen? Black screen?
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: blackrainbow on January 25, 2011, 09:39:39 AM
i hope this link helps i just googled anti virus live cd ... http://www.techmixer.com/free-bootable-antivirus-rescue-cds-download-list/
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Jellybott on January 25, 2011, 11:03:32 AM
Why do you think it's a virus?
What happens when you pick one of the options from the safe mode screen? Black screen?

Hello JJ,

the reason i think its a virus was that avg said i had one, it then gave me the option to move to virus vault (and another one i cant remember), but before i had a chance to pick an option, it displayed a message saying it was shutting down, and i havent been able to get past the "boot up advance screen" since.

yes mate, all i get after attempting options in safe mode screen, is a completely blank screen.

Thanks for any suggestions you might have

Cheers
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Jellybott on January 25, 2011, 11:12:27 AM
i hope this link helps i just googled anti virus live cd ... http://www.techmixer.com/free-bootable-antivirus-rescue-cds-download-list/

Thanks BlackRainbow, i'm afraid however, that whatever this virus is, its disabled my optical drive, so its unable to read it, but thanks for the link though

Cheers
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Broni on January 25, 2011, 12:11:39 PM
If you can't boot because of an infection, I suggest you start new topic in malware forum.
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: patio on January 25, 2011, 02:10:03 PM
Thanks BlackRainbow, i'm afraid however, that whatever this virus is, its disabled my optical drive, so its unable to read it, but thanks for the link though

Cheers

There is no virus or infection out there that can disable an optical drive...or other hardware for that matter...

Best to take the advice already given...
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: patio on January 27, 2011, 01:04:50 PM
I've read the page you suggested mate, but regrettably, i am unable to do it, as i cant get far enough into windows to tell my AV to run a bootable scan.

Then you didn't read the instructions completely....

They in clude what to do if Windows will not boot.

Try again.
Title: Re: unable to get any further than safe mode screen
Post by: Jellybott on January 29, 2011, 04:06:18 AM
Then you didn't read the instructions completely....

They in clude what to do if Windows will not boot.

Try again.

I've downloaded the iso file and put it on a disk, but the optical drive on infected laptop wont read anything