Help! Computer won't start Windows or repair after Avast update

Dear Team

I updated Avast Free last night and then restarted my computer (Dell Studio XPS 15, Windows 7 - purchased in 2009/10, I think). Since then, it has been a nightmare.

Windows fails to start, even in safe mode.

Startup repair also fails to fix the error - I get the following message:

Problem Signature 001: 0.0.0.0
Problem Signature 002: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem Signature 003: unknown
Problem Signature 004: 21.200819
Problem Signature 005: AutoFailover
Problem Signature 006: 18
Problem Signature 007: CorruptRegistry
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

I’ve searched the internet and followed some advice but got nowhere.

Scannow is not allowed because ‘there is a system repair pending’.

Fortunately, on the command prompt within the system recovery options, I can still see my files on C: drive so hopefully this is recoverable.

Occasionally, on restart, a BSOD flashes up but too quickly for me to see what is on it - see below: Inaccessible boot device.

It was working fine before the Avast upgrade - please help!

I am ashamed to say that I have not backed up in years :frowning:

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

Scroll down to “If you cannot Boot the computer” and follow the instructions.

Thanks for the prompt reply, Eddy. Hope you are having a good weekend, unlike me!

I have a 64 bit system - it says to make a new thread in that link you posted.

I forgot to mention - I tried System Restore in the Startup Repair, but it says there are no previous restore points. Very odd as I am fairly certain that there were…

No need to start a new thread.
Let’s keep it in one place :wink:

Just attach the log files to a post in this one.

I don’t have any CD’s - can this all be done with USB flash drives?

Run FRST from a USB at the command prompt

Select Command prompt

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

At the command prompt type the following :

notepad and press Enter.
The notepad opens. Under File menu select Open.
Select “Computer” and find your flash drive letter and close the notepad.
In the command window type e:\frst64.exe or e:\frst.exe dependant on system
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.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/frst.JPG

Press Scan button.
It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please copy and paste it to your reply.

Thanks for this, guys. Really appreciate this.

I found the USB drive was F drive.

I can’t get the tool to run though. If I type f:\frst.exe, I get ‘the subsystem needed to support the image type is not present’. If I type f: \frst.exe, it just goes into F drive…

By the way, when I opened notepad, I saw that there was a recovery drive with 8.50 GB free of 14.6 GB so I suppose that, for some reason, System Restore can’t see this…

Do you have the right version ? i.e. 32 or 64 bit

To aid any others who have similar problems, I downloaded the 64 bit version from here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/

Will post results shortly.

Attach your logs…!!

Sorry, Asyn - I didn’t see the attach option… :-[

FRST log attached. Very grateful for your help.

I’ve deleted the other posts where I tried pasting the log!

NP, I removed your (redundant) posts.

Download the attached fixlist to the same location as FRST
Start FRST as before and press fix
On completion try a normal boot… You may need to run repair twice

I did this but it didn’t make any difference.

The computer still goes straight to Startup Repair.

I think I did this manually, after following these instructions:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fix-windows-7-infinite-reboot-loop/

I did that before posting on this forum.

Thanks for your continued help.

OK lets try this next

Download the attached fixlist to the same location as FRST
Start FRST as before and press fix
On completion try a normal boot… You may need to run repair twice

Thanks, but still no luck.

Still goes to Startup Repair.

I had tried to force the computer to boot in safe mode by following the instructions in this link (http://www.digitalcitizen.life/command-prompt-fix-issues-your-boot-records) before posting here.

What’s the next move?

Thanks again for your time.

essexboy,

IObit crap is installed.
Rogue software > MalwareProtectionLive

I take it you aren’t a fan of iobit. It did find quite a few outdated drivers which was useful.

I do have a lot of crap installed on that computer - always planned to clear it out…

Copy necessary files from one drive to another using DOS/Command Prompt. Then do a system restore using Dell. For more information on system restore of Dell, call their Toll Free help-line.