Windows won't boot - stops at aswRvrt.sys

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I know that someone else posted on this more than at year ago at
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=131070.msg969456#msg969456 but the posting was so old that I received an automated suggestion to post it as a new topic. Sorry if this is a duplicate for other users.

My computer stopped booting this morning. When I try to boot in safe mode, it stops at aswRvrt.sys, just like the person who posted in the thread mentioned above. I've tried to follow the steps in the other thread but one of the files (I think it was called Vista RC) is no longer available. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

So that you know, the computer is a Sony Vaio laptop running Windows Vista. I've tried repairing the boot by using NeoSmart's Easy Recovery Essentials. That program runs though an automated repair process but even after that I can't boot. 

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Other recent on same.....
Sony Vaio w/Vista: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=163560.0
Recently solved: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=163524.0

You need to run Farbar and post (attach) the FRST log.
You can go to this link and scroll down to section that starts "If you cannot Boot the computer" and burn boot CD and run FRST that way.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

The thread you posted is the way create (via Rufus) bootable RC on USB stick and include Farbar tool to run....instead of CD.
I'll PM you link to down the RC....make sure you choose correct O/S RC....example, use the 32 or 64 version that matches YOUR O/S.....which is Vista 32 or 64 bit ?  ....however, if you can use the CD method above that works too.

Also, not sure about NeoSmart CD but can you get to Command Prompt thru it after you boot to it ? ...it seems to say it does.
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
If so, then just have the FRST.exe or FRST64.exe (which matches your Vista) on the USB stick in the PC.
In "theory".........at the Command Prompt (USB stick in PC) 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:\frst.exe (or 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 copy and attach the log.

Also, can you give more background on what you were doing when this happened ?
Was it a reboot in long time ?
Did you just do Windows updates and reboot ?
What Avast are you using ?
Did you just do an Avast update and reboot ?
Is there or has there been other Malware or A/V software on this PC ?
Did you try F8 at boot and choose LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIG ? .....how about STARTUP REPAIR ?
Other Sony link above the poster had a Sony "Windows Vista Recovery Media for Windows Vista Products SP1" recovery DVD....do you ?
Do you have a Vista Repair CD or O/S Disc ? ....I ask because to get you to Vista's System Recovery Repair.
Of course you now should have the Vista RC I PMed you link to.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/

Lastly, I've PMed an expert to join/help.

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For Sony Vaio I found this link as just FYI.
https://us.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/41931/~/how-to-perform-a-system-recovery-using-the-vaio-recovery-center.
.....but since you cannot boot PC the Sony Recovery Center seems to be accessible from the Advanced Boot Options in F8.
https://us.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/41949/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDIwMDM0OTU2L3NpZC90TDNBNGhibQ%3D%3D
The tutorial on how to use Sony Recovery: https://us.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/42022
There is a Rescue Data option: https://us.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/41973

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OK, thank you for the information. Here is what's happened so far.

I downloaded all of files. I created a flash drive with RC and put Farbar on it. I went into the BIOS and changed the boot order so that USB Flash Drive was #1, the DVD drive is #2 and the hard drive is in third position. I then rebooted the computer.

It didn't work out. It doesn't look like there is any power going to the USB ports (there are tree of them) at the time you are booting up. I've tried all three ports.

So, I then created two bootable CD's, one with RC and one with OTLPNet.exe (from the other thread you gave me that had the section "If you cannot Boot the computer").

When I try to boot using RC, the system eventually gives me a mouse pointer but that's all. When I used the disc with OTLPNet, it loads what appears to be a light version of WinXP. I went to My Computer. It takes a while but it does eventually load. I then inserted the flash drive with Farbar on it. The drive never shows up in My Computer. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should do here.

Also, I looked at the Sony Vaio link you provided. Unfortunately, my system doesn't provide a recovery option from F8. Just the standard Windows reboot options.

Any suggestions on what I should do next? Let me know.

Thanks for all of your help.

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Oh, one more item. You had asked me what was going on with the computer when it had this issue.

It had been sitting idle for several hours. When I came back to it, the screen was blank and the system was unresponsive. So I shut it down and attempted to reboot. That's when it started giving me issues. It looks like Windows begins to load but after a while, the HD looks like it goes to idle and it hangs with the screen to load windows. When booting in safe mode, it hangs at aswRvrt.sys. I've tried to use the last known good configuration with the same results. I don't have a Vista repair CD or OS disc.

I'm using the free version of Avast.

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When you "created" the Flash drive with the RC you used Rufus to create ? ......as Essexboy outlined in the first link you posted ? 
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=131070.msg969456#msg969456 Reply #3

When you booted from the CD you also had the USB stick plugged in ?
If so, did you go to Command Prompt, type notepad and File Open and see what drive letter the Flash Disk was ?
From there.......In the command window type e:\frst.exe (or 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 copy and attach the log.

Since it seems you can burn CDs you could burn a Vista O/S DVD and boot to it and get to Command Prompt.
You could try the Repair functions but that is your call if you want to try that versus getting to Command Prompt and running Farbar.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/
Here is the How-To: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/301852-vista-iso-download-create-installation-dvd-usb.html

 

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Yes, followed the procedure from Essexboy. I did find another setting in BIOS that I had to change... allowing a boot from an external drive. Made that switch and was able to begin the boot from the USB drive.

The boot starts fine. I'm asked to hit Enter if I want to boot from the USB. I did that and windows files begin to load. But after around 30 seconds or so, the USB light on the drive goes out and the HD starts spinning up. On the screen, I get a mouse cursor and nothing else. Can't get to a command prompt at all.

When I try to boot from a CD, it's a similar story. About the best that I've been able to do is get a mouse pointer. Eventually, the HD light goes out and it just sits there.


Also tried getting to a command prompt from the NeoSmart Recovery Essentials. There, i had a little more success but that system uses Linux so I'm at a loss as to how to get FRST to run. I can see the file but it doesn't do anything when I click on it.

So that you know, I'm burning the CD's on another system.

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Hard for me to debug what is going on with the CD & USB without being at your PC.....so, OK.....I would then try the O/S DVD route...........

Since it seems you can burn CDs you could burn a Vista O/S DVD and boot to it and get to Command Prompt.
You could try the Repair functions but that is your call if you want to try that versus getting to Command Prompt and running Farbar.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/
Here is the How-To: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/301852-vista-iso-download-create-installation-dvd-usb.html