Avast update - PC cannot start

Yes, unfortunately there is no restore point.

OK try this fixlist and it will use a backup copy of the registry

That didn’t work, still the same problem.

Any other suggestions?

Unfortunately there is not a lot else except to replace the system file that is normally responsible

The most common cause is the executing PnP (Plug and Play) and ACPI routines issue.
To fix the issue, we need to access the computer from Recovery Console.

If you do have your Windows CD

Windows 7 and Vista screenshots

When you reboot you will see this.
Click repair my computer

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/RepairVista_7275.jpg

Select your operating system

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/RepairVista_7277202.jpg

Select Command prompt

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/RepairVista_7277.jpg

At the command prompt type the following :

Type map and press enter.
It will give you the drive letters.
Note down the letter of your CD-ROM./USB
If it is a letter other than E you should replace the letter E with your CD drive letter when applying the expand command later on if the command is needed to be applied.

Type following commmands, pressing Enter after each one.

[*]ren c:\windows\system32\drivers\atapi.sys atapi.old
(It will returns to the prompt again without notification)
[*]copy c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386\atapi.sys c:\windows\system32\drivers
(If you get a notification “1 file(s) copied” you don’t need to do the next expand command and go to exit command. But if you get notification that the file doesn’t exist proceed with expand command)[*]expand e:\I386\atapi.sy_ c:\windows\system32\drivers
(You should be notified that the file expanded)[*]exit

You may remove the CD or let Windows boot normally.

Before I try this, I just want to ask one question. I have a folder that was encrypted by Windows. If I do this procedure will I still be able to log in as the previous administrator with the previous password and access the folder?

Yes as you are only changing one file

I got an error saying that ‘map’ is not recognized, so I used Notepad to establish the drive letters.
The old C drive is now the E drive, and the DVD drive is now the F drive

I did the following:

ren e:\windows\system32\drivers\atapi.sys atapi.old
[returns to the prompt with no error message]

copy e:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386\atapi.sys e:\windows\system32\drivers
[error message: file doesn’t exist - I checked and the folder servicepackfiles does not exist]

expand f:\I386\atapi.sy_ e:\windows\system32\drivers
[error message: can’t open input file]

I checked and the folder I386 does not exist on the CD
Here is a list of the folders on the CD:
boot
efi
sources
support
upgrade

From the command prompt could you run the following command

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=e:\ /offwindir=e:\windows

I got this response:
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. Details are included in the CBS.log windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log

The CBS.log file did not have the current date/time. The file size is 240M, do you need to see this file?

No but could you now try a boot

I forgot to add that it still does not start up.

Just a thought - how old is the hard drive? Sounds like a hardware controller issue (integrated HDD electronics) or failing sectors on the drive platter is preventing the NTLDR to run / load the OS correctly. I have seen this a few times in the past, the only way the issue was resolved was to purchase a replacement hard disk, install the OS and then transfer user data via USB dock.

As the computer is booting from your Flash Drive successfully the rest of the computer is working as it should, which is good news indeed.

It looks like you are left with a repair install I am afraid http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Doesn’t a repair install for W7 require you to be within W7 ?

From the command prompt could you run the following command
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=e:\ /offwindir=e:\windows

For OP after the offline SFC I would go back to the “Startup Repair” and try again to see if it now does anything…in which case I’d re-run this three times with reboot.

Also, re-reading post this is PC with Asus MOBO ?
I recall isn’t some issue with F8…isn’t it F5 ?..or try F8 again to make sure…soon as initial PC logo comes up start “tapping” F8
Also, if you get to this console try LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIG.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/#windows7

If no go (and no backup) then I would use the USB drive with command prompt to copy my important files off the PC and then you will need to re-load O/S.
You can also pull the HDD and use hardware cable to make it a USB HDD to pull all info off: http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Adapter-Converter-Optical-External/dp/B002OV1VJW
Here is where to W7 ISO: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
Clean Install: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/windows-7-clean-install-part-1.htm

Also, I would HIGHLY recommend using a backup software to external USB HDD in future…as well as making sure “System Restore” within W7 is ON & set to take daily snapshots.
Macrium is EASY & free great software: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx …I just run a full backup image of my HDD every night while I am asleep.

@thekochs Thanks for your comments, I will look into them when I get back from work.

@CB_Hedricks the PC has 2 drives, a ssd drive for the operating system and some programs, and a normal drive for data. I previously booted on an Ubunto flash drive and recovered all my data. Problem is that one folder is encrypted. The ssd drive is about 5 or 6 years old. The data drive was replaced about 2 years ago.

@essexboy
Previously I renamed atapi.sys and then did not replace it because the folder did not exixt on the DVD (see thread).
Shouldn’t I do something about this?

No sfc replace the file with a good copy

You were explaining how to get the good copy, but the folder didn’t exist on the DVD. Is there another source?

There was one in the windows dllcache which SFC use http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/system_file_checker.mspx?mfr=true

I ran sfc /scannow and got the message “There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete. Restart Windows and run sfc again”. I tried rebooting and running sfc, but got the same message each time.
I tried the suggestions here https://support.4it.com.au/article/how-to-fix-sfc-scannow-there-is-a-system-repair-pending/ but this did not help

@thekochs I tried sfc /scannow /offbootdir=e:\ /offwindir=e:\windows and after a few minutes got this message “Windows did not find any integrity violations”
I then rebooted and repaired 3 times, no luck.

When the start repair fails it gives an advanced options which requires the admin password. At this stage if I can decrypt the encrypted folder I will be happy.
I tried the cipher command, but it does not recognise this. Any suggestions?