Boot hangs on aswrvrt.sys in safe mode

Viruses and worms
1

Windows Update problems started when I tried to re-install three failed software updates. Running the fix-it did not allow me to finish the updates, and I could not restore the system to a previous restore point. I also received a message from Avast that a Restart was required. Around that time, I was viewing an attachment on imgur.com which contained the words “viral images” - and Chrome quickly closed the page with the “Aw, snap” message (maybe not relevant). The system was unstable for two days.

Booting in Safe Mode hangs up when asrvrt.sys is loading, and goes to the black screen with the cursor. I can enter the BIOS, but I have made no changes. I am running Vista Home Basic 32-bit on an Acer Aspire, so there is a hidden partition for restoring Windows or all factory settings. I did not attempt, as I would like to avoid re-installing all of the bloatware which I have disabled.

I found the instructions for booting from the CD drive to create frst.txt, but I do not have a CD drive on the Acer, so I am unsure what to do. I hope I’m not asking a dumb question. Is it possible to boot from a USB?

Sorry for my inexperience, but I am reluctant to proceed unless I know that I will not make matters worse. Thank you for your patience and for providing this service.

Jenna

2

See: “If you cannot Boot the computer”
Instructions: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

3

I did read those instructions, but my machine has no CD drive so my only option is to boot from the USB. Can you recommend how I can create a bootable USB drive? Thank you for helping me, as I am a total noob at this.

4

Wait for Essexboy THEagle, he’ll guide you.

5

Hello,

We will burn required tools on your USB. Sorry for some formatting or typing errors, but this forum software is the worst on planet.

Please download the following tools on your Desktop:

[]Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
[]Rufus
[*]vista32 rc.iso

[*]Insert your USB and then start Rufus
[*]Select the ISO file vista32 rc.iso on the desktop via the ISO icon.

http://i61.tinypic.com/16kbazl.jpg

[*]Under the Device select your USB Flash.
[*]Press Start
[*]When the process is complete, copy Farbar Recovery Scan Toolon this USB

[]Insert USB into infected computer and power on the computer. Now you need to set your computer to boot from USB. In order to do that, follow this guide.
[]When you boot from USB, you will see image like this:

http://i61.tinypic.com/2mo49iw.jpg

[*]Click Repair your computer
[*]Follow the prompt to enter keyboard input method, and then the prompt to enter a password. If the machine does not have a password, simply click Enter.

In the next menu, use the arrow keys on the keyboard to highlight Command Prompt and press Enter.

[*]In the command window type in notepad and press Enter.
[*]When notepad opens, click File and select Open.
[*]Select “Computer” and find your flash drive letter and close the notepad.
[*]In the command window type e:\frst64.exe and press Enter.

Note: Replace letter e with the drive letter of your flash drive.

[*]The tool will start to run. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
[*]Press Scan button.

It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please attach it to your reply.

6

Thank you for your fast reply with the good explanation which helps me understand the process. I am getting a 404 error (page not found) error on the third download (vista32 rc.iso) on two different IE browsers (IE11 & another newer-looking version). I retried after clearing and resetting to default settings, still same result. I am using a new asus t100, so I haven’t yet downloaded another browser in case IE is blocking the download. Can I get it from another source?

7

Okay, here is a working link:

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B4GKeR-3JtgpU0F3N0xqU2R5QVE

8

I should probably be finishing my Christmas shopping, but this is way more interesting. Thank you (and hope it all looks okay).

9

Download attached fixlist.txt and save it to your USB flashdrive as fixlist.txt

Boot into Recovery Environment

Start FRST in a similar manner to when you ran a scan earlier, but this time when it opens …

[*] Press the Fix button once and wait.
[*] FRST will process fixlist.txt
[*] When finished, it will produce a log fixlog.txt on your USB flashdrive.

Exit out of Recovery Environment and post me the log please.

Try to boot Windows normally…

10

frst created fixlog.txt very quickly, but windows does not want to boot. wireless light is still flashing after 15 minutes, hdd indicator quit flashing a few minutes ago, capslock works, and cursor still moves so it’s not dead. :frowning:

11

Can you get to Command Prompt window again?

Type this command:

chkdsk C: /R

12

I booted from the USB to the command prompt and ran chkdsk c: /r - attached (chkdsk.txt) are the messages on the screen (typed by me in case of typos). Exited command propmpt and shutdown, stepping out now for 8 hours for Christmas Eve. Thank you for your guidance :slight_smile:

13

If you cannot boot now, then there is nothing else I can do to help you.

14

Still can’t boot, now it hangs after crcdisk.sys. But at least I have been able to recover my user files from the hard drive. At this point, do I have anything to lose if I restore to an old restore point when the system was working? Can I continue to run DOS commands when I boot into the Recovery Environment?

Would you say that this conditon is not caused by malware? Is there anything else I could check as a last resort before I try to reinstall Windows or restore to factory settings? Thanks again.

15

I think your hard drive is failing in some way. It could be hard disk alone or bad cable, but in 99% of cases it is the hard disk alone.

You can use this guide to test your hard drive:

http://www.blog.creativform.com/how-to-check-your-hard-disk-for-bad-sectors/