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

[REDACTED]

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

[Eddy]

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

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

[REDACTED]

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...

[Eddy]

No need to start a new thread.
Let's keep it in one place

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

[REDACTED]

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

[essexboy]

Run FRST from a USB at the command prompt

 
Select Command prompt 
 
 
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. 

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

[REDACTED]

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…

[essexboy]

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

[REDACTED]

I suspect I might have the 32 bit version... My system is 64 bit.

Whereabouts can I get the 64 bit version? Sorry, I am a real noob...

I downloaded the FRST.exe from this link (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0), where it says 'If you cannot  Boot the computer'

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.

[Asyn]

Attach your logs..!!

[REDACTED]

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!

[Asyn]

Sorry, Asyn - I didn't see the attach option... 

NP, I removed your (redundant) posts.

[essexboy]

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

[REDACTED]

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

The computer still goes straight to Startup Repair.

[REDACTED]

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.