Hi, I have an acer aspire 8930 running on vista with avast installed. Everything running fine until it froze while I was logging off and I had to hold the button in to get it to turn off. Next time I turn it on it brings up the acer sign then hangs on the Microsoft sign with the little green bar, won’t go any further. I have pressed f8 on startup and tried the repair…it runs chkdsk reboots and hangs in same green bar bit or it sticks on the repairing bar and hangs.I have tried going back to last time it was safe but this doesn’t work. I have tried to get into safe mode…it runs through a list of files and then sticks on aswrvrt.sys which i believe is something to do with antivirus? and hangs. I’m at a loss what to try next as I can’t get into anything…I don’t know if its a virus or something has just corrupted. I’m not wonderfully technical but I can usually work my way around stuff but this has me stuck. Any suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks…Natalie
Microsoft recently sent out an update that caused a lot of problems for some people.
See if this applies to you.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2839011
Hi thanks for the reply…it could be that…I tried to run through the fix and get to the command prompt…typed in the line but it comes back dism is not recognised 
I believe that update only relates to windows 7
Download the following three programmes to your desktop :
For 64bit systems
2. Windows Vista 64bit RC
3. Farbar Recovery Scan Tool x64
For 32bit systems
2. Windows Vista RC
3. Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
Insert the USB stick Then run Rufus
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/rufus.JPG
Select the ISO file on the desktop via the ISO icon.
Press Start Burn
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/RufusISO.JPG
Then copy FRST to the same USB
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/frstwintoboot.JPG
Insert the USB into the sick computer and start the computer. First ensuring that the system is set to boot from USB
Note: If you are not sure how to do that follow the instructions Here
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 :
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 FRST for 32bit systems 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.dropbox.com/u/73555776/FRST%20Start%20scan.gif
Press Scan button.
It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
Thanks for the reply, I have had to lend a laptop as I only have a tablet apart from my laptop with the problems. I have downloaded the programmes, put in my memory stick and ran rufous, it opens the window shown. However when I click on the box shown it opens the documents folder, I can’t find anything there that says iso, nor if I select desktop, there’s also no start burn option I can see. Sorry I know I’m probably missing something silly, I’m not that good with things like this
Natalie
Not a problem, the VistaRC.ISO should be on the desktop along with Rufus
Run Rufus and click the icon next to the ISO image (blue square in the first screen shot)
Then Locate the Vista ISO that is on the desktop and select it
Then press the start button
Hmm I wonder if I’ve downloaded the right thing. The only windows vista RCA I could find for download is vista 64 service pack RC.is that the same?
Yes that is the right one Windows Vista 64bit RC.ISO which was downloaded from my link
Im getting there I think lol just ignore last posts from me and pretend I noticed the red lettered files took you to the download :
I’ve got to the stage where you say to select command prompt…but it’s not giving me that choice it’s just going straight in and starting startup repair…I don’t get the list shown at all.
The bit where you have clicked pc stats…that’s not there on mine…just next which starts the repair
Could you confirm you are not clicking to hard on the next button and inadvertently clicking the startup repair. That screen should stay there until you select something
On that screen it has the operating system highlighted…at the bottom are two buttons …load drivers…and next. There is no other choice…or PC stats button. If I click next it just.starts the repair…I can’t get the screen where I can select command prompt. The screen does just stay there but I only have the two choices. Really sorry to be such a nuisance…I really appreciate your help
Next is the correct button to press
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
So after this screen you do not get the one below, is that correct
Select Command prompt
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/RepairVista_7277.jpg
Yes that’s right…it just starts the repair…definitely not pressing it too hard
That would suggest that even the recovery console cannot access the drive
So I would like to try a different programme which works independent of any part of windows. You can use the same USB for this
Download Peazip to the desktop
Run and install the programme
As it installs this page will show, deselect the AVG ticks
Press decline and it will then install cleanly
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/peazip.jpg
Download the following files to the desktop … Right click the links and select save as…then select desktop
Right click OTLPE on your desktop and select …Open as archive
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/Unzup%20archive.png
Select OTLPE standard
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/select%20archive.PNG
Click Extract, ensure that desktop is selected
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/extract%20archive.PNG
Insert the USB stick Then run Rufus
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/rufus.JPG
Select the ISO file on the desktop via the ISO icon.
Press Start Burn
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/RufusISO.JPG
Once the USB has burnt then
[*]Reboot your system using the boot USB you just created.
Note : If you do not know how to set your computer to boot from USB follow the steps here
[*]As the USB needs to detect your hardware and load the operating system, I would recommend a nice cup of tea whilst it loads
[*]Your system should now display a Reatogo desktop.
Note : as you are running from CD it is not exactly speedy
[*]Double-click on the OTLPE icon.
[*]Select the Windows folder of the infected drive if it asks for a location
[*]When asked “Do you wish to load the remote registry”, select Yes
[*]When asked “Do you wish to load remote user profile(s) for scanning”, select Yes
[*]Ensure the box “Automatically Load All Remaining Users” is checked and press OK
[*]OTL should now start.
[*]Press Run Scan to start the scan.
[*]When finished, the file will be saved in drive C:\OTL.txt
[*]Copy this file to your USB drive if you do not have internet connection on this system.
[*]Right click the file and select send to : select the USB drive.
[*]Confirm that it has copied to the USB drive by selecting it
[*]You can backup any files that you wish from this OS
[*]Please post the contents of the C:\OTL.txt file in your reply.
Thank you…I have done all of the steps to prepare the USB…my laptop was already set to boot from USB and still is…however now, despite it booting from USB previously it now won’t. It brings up the acer symbol then goes straight to the repair page…it was giving a hit any key to boot from USB option in between those screens, now it isn’t…it just briefly flashes on the acer screen preparing to boot os…but obviously isn’t going to USB. It just seems to be getting worse I have double checked by hitting f2 on acer screen and def set with USB to boot first. I haven’t changed anything, and it was getting to the above screens before by booting from USB, all I have done is take out the USB and put the new stuff on it. Is this a virus that’s just gradually closing it down?
Natalie 
No I do not believe this to be a virus
Switch the computer off for 10 minutes and then try the new USB again please
Ok it’s been off 15 minutes but it has done the same thing when I’ve turned it back on
OK I will have to do some searching on this but if it boots from usb it should start the reatogo desktop
I think it something to do with the boot…is that possible. I tried the original boot again and it boots from USB…still have same problem with that one though. I go back to the second boot USB and it won’t boot from USB. Not sure if that helps :