Member Avatar for Bomba

Back in Oct I got a worm and the cure for it corrupted all file associations. http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread33603.html
I got many of them restored but many still have major problems. I need to reformat. But even by closely reading the prior instructions, I can't do it. I think that the reason is a program that the virus fixer guy put on my pc. It is called Page Defrag but I can't find it on my pc. I never see that boot from CD message anymore because this program starts up before windows does. So how can I get to the screen that gives me the start from CD choice?

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Good outcome for and useful reminder from . A concise checklist and a few recovery options follow for anyone who hits the same snag where normal install media or the usual boot prompts are not available.

Before reformatting: preserve data and activation info. Copy user profiles (Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures), browser profiles and bookmarks, email stores (Outlook .pst), SSH keys and any license keys. If Windows will not start normally, boot into a rescue environment (live Linux, WinPE or a vendor rescue CD) and copy files to an external disk. Create a full image of the drive first if possible — it permits rollback and safe offline analysis.

Repair attempts to try prior to full wipe: run offline rootkit/antivirus scans from rescue media. Inspect the disk from the rescue environment and, if appropriate, repair the boot area rather than reinstalling immediately. On Windows XP the Recovery Console commands fixmbr and fixboot can restore the bootloader; on Vista/7/10/11 the Recovery Environment bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot are the equivalents. Use Sysinternals Autoruns or a rescue shell to identify early-starting components; quarantining problematic files in a mounted offline image is safer than deleting system files live.

If reformat proceeds: disconnect non-target drives to avoid accidental data loss, keep network and chipset drivers handy for the first boot, and install all service packs and security updates before reconnecting to the Internet. Caution: avoid manual deletion of core system files without an image. When in doubt, work from a cloned copy of the disk or consult a technician — that preserves evidence and prevents irreversible mistakes.

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Member Avatar for jaishankar

Back in Oct I got a worm and the cure for it corrupted all file associations. http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread33603.html
I got many of them restored but many still have major problems. I need to reformat. But even by closely reading the prior instructions, I can't do it. I think that the reason is a program that the virus fixer guy put on my pc. It is called Page Defrag but I can't find it on my pc. I never see that boot from CD message anymore because this program starts up before windows does. So how can I get to the screen that gives me the start from CD choice?

Hi Bomba, Plz give us full details about how r u trying to boot ur system, did u set the first boot device to CD-Rom and the second boot device to HDD-0. If not then you can set this by hitting Del or F2 key which ever is specified to ur system at the boot process.

Put ur Windows XP or 2000 CD in the drive (as u didnt mention which one ur using :?: ) and then press any key when u get the messg 'press any key to boot from CD'

Member Avatar for Bomba

It was that program that didn't let me see the normal start up screens so I would never see the boot from CD screen. As for all that stuff you are talking about, I have no idea what you mean but I got the problem fixed by crying to a geek friend and he finally figured out that the program was installed in System 32. He deleted it and I was able to reformat. Thanks anyway. I guess Mark won't be calling me anytime randomly again though. LOL

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