Avast WEBforum
Other => General Topics => Topic started by: REDACTED on December 14, 2014, 09:47:35 PM
-
I own a Surface Pro 3 tablet and today installed a Windows Update that rendered my SDXC card slot useless. I decided that the best thing to do was to roll back the update to a restore point from the day before. This seemingly routine process has now bricked my computer since there's nothing I can do to complete the restore or to revert back this morning's post-windows update state.
Only did I encounter a failed restore did I realize that I had to change the AVAST settings so that a restore can be completely successfully. Unfortunately at this point, I cannot boot into Windows.
I've also tried the following unsucessfully:
1) boot into safe mode
2) refresh the PC to original settings (wipes out my installed apps but at least saves my critical documents)
3) automatic repair
Errors encountered:
"System Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer's system files and settings were not changed.
Details:
System Restore could not access a file. This is probably because an anti-virus program is running on the computer. Temporarily disable your antivirus program and retry System Restore.
An unspecified error occurred during System Restore. (0x80070005)"
==========================
When I run an automatic repair, I get:
"Windows 8 critical process died" blue screen.
==========================
When I start refresh:
It does its prepping and copying and then continues in a loop after that (I've let it run for 2 hours and it does not come out of the Surface logo screen with the spinning circle icon
PLEASE HELP! I wish I can just go into command prompt mode and UNINSTALL or DISABLE Avast so I can just rebuild the computer!
Desperate,
Sam
-
are you able to download an run avast removal tool? http://www.avast.com/en-eu/uninstall-utility
-
There's no way for me to run the uninstall utility from command prompt or outside of Windows gui (unless there's a way to do it). I can't boot into SAFE MODE. I can't get past the windows boot screen!
:(
-
OK, have notified the guy with the toolbox here, he may have a trick
-
Is this 8.1 or 8.0 and is it 64 or 32 bit ?
-
There's no way for me to run the uninstall utility from command prompt or outside of Windows gui (unless there's a way to do it). I can't boot into SAFE MODE. I can't get past the windows boot screen!
:(
The removal tool is run in regular mode and it is then allowed to boot the system into safemode where the removal happens.
Once done, reboot your system.
I would first try disabling the Avast Self defense module (avast settings under troubleshooting uncheck "enable self-defense module)
Once disabled, try system restore again.
-
2) refresh the PC to original settings
If you really tried that you would not get a message from system restore, because that is a factory restore.
If you have a backup of your documents, pictures or whatever you want to keep...
I would simply do a factory restore, it is the fastest way to get everything working again.
If you don't have a backup,
and still want to do this you can boot from a Linux live cd, make the backup and then do a factory restore.
You can also follow "If you cannot Boot the computer" here:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0
Perhaps we can make the system boot again.
-
Is this 8.1 or 8.0 and is it 64 or 32 bit ?
It's 64 bit 8.1 pro. does that make a difference?
-
There's no way for me to run the uninstall utility from command prompt or outside of Windows gui (unless there's a way to do it). I can't boot into SAFE MODE. I can't get past the windows boot screen!
:(
The removal tool is run in regular mode and it is then allowed to boot the system into safemode where the removal happens.
Once done, reboot your system.
I would first try disabling the Avast Self defense module (avast settings under troubleshooting uncheck "enable self-defense module)
Once disabled, try system restore again.
How do I do this if I can't boot into Windows?
-
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/restore-refresh-or-reset-surface-pro
-
Eddy, Essex is perfectly capable of restoring the system back into a functional mode again with reinstalling/Refreshing Windows.
One could argue reinstalling would take longer then Essex methods.
(a fixlist only takes a minute or two to run, reboot and work again)
-
Download the following three programmes to your desktop :
1. Rufus (http://rufus.akeo.ie/)
For 64bit systems
2. Windows 8.1 64bit RC - I will PM this link
3. Farbar Recovery Scan Tool x64 (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/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 (http://lifehacker.com/5991848/how-to-boot-from-a-cd-or-usb-drive-on-any-pc)
Windows 8 screen shots
When you reboot you will see this.
Select the language on this screen and keyboard on the next
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/select%20language8.JPG)
Select the Trouble shoot option
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/Select%20option8.JPG)
Select Advanced option
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/advanced8.JPG)
Select Command prompt
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/command%208.JPG)
At the command prompt type the following :
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/notepad.JPG)
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 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.
-
Thank you so much for detailing out these instructions. I've attached the FRST.txt file. Please let me know if you can read it.
-
This fix will stop Avast from running and remove the files
Download the attached fixlist.txt to the same location as FRST (on the USB)
Start FRST as before and press fix
On completion try a normal boot
-
Unfortunately this didn't seem to work. I tried running FIX and then tried each of the following without any success:
1) boot into Windows (failed)
2) repair (failed)
3) restore (failed -- says that antivirus may be running)
4) boot into safe mode (failed)
-
Could you run FRST and give me a fresh scan please, I may have to remove MBAM as well
-
I noticed this thread wasnt finished I was following your steps and I reached the same, no good, conclusion. Can you help
-
I noticed this thread wasnt finished I was following your steps and I reached the same, no good, conclusion. Can you help
1. this topic is from 2014
2. for help, always start your own topic and describe your problem