WeldPhaser Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Hi everyone, First I just want to say hello, my name is weld. I'm so grateful that their exist forums for people to learn, have fun, and help one another. I know how much work the moderators, and creators of forums put into them. Esp[ecially good, high functioning, and mature forums. From what I've read this seems like one of them. A week ago I purchased a laptop. It's a very lightly used dell i3-2370 inspiron. With Windows 8 64-bit OS. The comp was wiped and windows was freshly installed before I bought it. Yesterday I started noticing some problems. I play poker , and use software that keeps track of my hands, stats , and such. It uses Postgres. When I tried to open it yesterday morning I t says "Windows cannot open the specified device, path, or file. you may not have the appropriate permissions to access them". It was working perfectly fine on Sat. night. I'm also not able to open Task manager, System Restore, System refresh, Regedit, and a lot more... Avg, and Super Anti-Spyware aren't finding anything. I'm also having a hard time finding anything about it by just searching. So I figure I either have a virus or a problem with my registry or maybe both. I'm not familiar really at all w/ Win8. I used to be pretty tech-savy, but have sort of fallen to the way-side, but if someone can please help me I would very much appreciate it. Oh, and yes The user I'm logged in w/ is Admin, at least it says it is. That's really the thing i think. Seems like everything I try to access that needs admin status I can't , and like I said I'm def Admin. I've uploaded a screen shot of my user screen showing that I'm admin.. Again I appreciate anyone's help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Avg, and Super Anti-Spyware aren't finding anything. You have these installed at the same time? Bad idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Avg, and Super Anti-Spyware aren't finding anything. You have these installed at the same time? Bad idea! Oh, man, I def Didn't know this. Thanks for replying btw, So should I choose one or the other? As per my major prob. Anyone have any advice??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 I'm also not able to open Task manager, System Restore, System refresh, Regedit, and a lot more... Does the machine exibit such behaviour in Safe Mode? Is recovery media about or can it be acquired/created? "Restore discs are not included (unless specified by supplier). We recommend you use the installed software to create your own restore and backup DVD the first week you use the computer." If the machine is lightly used; is resetting to factory default an option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 If you have never booted into safe mode with Win 8, here is how to do it.Turn on your computer, hold down the shift key and keep tapping the F8 key, this will load a page called recovery.From this page select advanced repair options, on the next page select troubleshoot, next page select advanced options, next page Windows start up settings, then on the next page restart, the computer will now boot into the familiar safe mode options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Ok, wow that's a lot to get to safe mode. But thank you for the directions. I will be doing this as soon as i get home. Where should i proceed to in safe mode. System restore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Advanced Startup Options:System Restore would be a good place to start. Hopefully the recovery partition is not corrupt.If one can successfully boot to Safe Mode; try creating the recovery/repair media from Dell: It may be useful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Yeah let's hope that's not the case. When i create this do it Right from safe mode . Off their website? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 I would think the Dell OEM includes a backup and recovery creator within the OS. Look in control panel. If no option is available and System Restore does not help; go for the Reset your PC option in Advanced Startup Options.I would get to finding install media for the OS that is shown on the COA sticker (just in case) on the bottom of the machine. If there is no COA better try to snag it from the registry.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 I would think the Dell OEM includes a backup and recovery creator within the OS. Look in control panel. If no option is available and System Restore does not help; go for the Reset your PC option in Advanced Startup Options. I would get to finding install media for the OS that is shown on the COA sticker (just in case) on the bottom of the machine. If there is no COA better try to snag it from the registry.... Ok, I'm going into safe mode. I imagine safe mode w/ networking is available right? I should probably boot into that right in case I need to(which I'm sure I will) ask any questions once I get there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 I did as directed. H+shift and tap F8 . I got taken to a color test first. And now I'm in a dell pre boot system assessment...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 If you have never booted into safe mode with Win 8, here is how to do it. Turn on your computer, hold down the shift key and keep tapping the F8 key, this will load a page called recovery. From this page select advanced repair options, on the next page select troubleshoot, next page select advanced options, next page Windows start up settings, then on the next page restart, the computer will now boot into the familiar safe mode options. Ok, I def did just this, and all it did was take me to a dell pre-boot system assessment. it ran a bunch of tests and said everything is working fine.... So now, how do I get into safe mode? Any other ways? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 The comp was wiped and windows was freshly installed before I bought it. I missed this tidbyte of data. Forget about a Dell OEM recovery without actual DVD/ISO from Dell (or the like) to return OEM. Since it was a custom install one will need some type of bootable media for repairs or reinstalls. I suggest installing Windows 7 and forget about 8. Is there a COA key on the bottom of the laptop? Legally one can only install a copy what mirrors the key thereon. If the machine has no COA; time to hit Linux, other OSs or the high seas. One may have malware running on target machine as well which emboldens the influence to take control of this situation and use this time to figure out what it will take to operate the device stably. I am confident that Win7 can and will meet that expectation. Or... look over the instructins outlined in this site. Or here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgQ87b7muWs&feature=player_detailpage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 The comp was wiped and windows was freshly installed before I bought it. I missed this tidbyte of data. Forget about a Dell OEM recovery without actual DVD/ISO from Dell (or the like) to return OEM. Since it was a custom install one will need some type of bootable media for repairs or reinstalls. I suggest installing Windows 7 and forget about 8. Is there a COA key on the bottom of the laptop? Legally one can only install a copy what mirrors the key thereon. If the machine has no COA; time to hit Linux, other OSs or the high seas. One may have malware running on target machine as well which emboldens the influence to take control of this situation and use this time to figure out what it will take to operate the device stably. I am confident that Win7 can and will meet that expectation. Or... look over the instructins outline in this site. Wow, so this is pretty serious huh? I'm gonna check on the COA... Let me get this straight.. i can get a copy of win7 if i can supply dell w/ a coa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 I pm'd bludgard, but will also post on here for anyone in future may need help I got to safe mode by Holding Shift and tapping restart at the login screen.. wow, all for safe mode,, Now i wonder what is the best next step? Restore to factory default? or system restore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Edit my post but may be useless.Try System Restore first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Edit my post but may be useless. Try System Restore first. 10-4 trying now.... thanks blu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 The comp was wiped and windows was freshly installed before I bought it. I missed this tidbyte of data. Forget about a Dell OEM recovery without actual DVD/ISO from Dell (or the like) to return OEM. Since it was a custom install one will need some type of bootable media for repairs or reinstalls. I suggest installing Windows 7 and forget about 8.Is there a COA key on the bottom of the laptop? Legally one can only install a copy what mirrors the key thereon. If the machine has no COA; time to hit Linux, other OSs or the high seas.One may have malware running on target machine as well which emboldens the influence to take control of this situation and use this time to figure out what it will take to operate the device stably. I am confident that Win7 can and will meet that expectation. Or... look over the instructins outline in this site. ... i can get a copy of win7 if i can supply dell w/ a coa? Not likely for free. One will have to acquire (or borrow from a friend) what one has legally purchased. Edit Deux:"Now, onto my problem. Since my comp isn't recognizing me as admin. When I type msconfig i get the same dialog box telling me windows cannot access the specified device, path. you may not have the apprppriate permission to access them... I'm stumped" Open Command Prompt from Advanced Startup Options and try resetting gpedit: To reset gpedit to default in cmd > type:diskpart > enterlist volume > enter Note the boot volume and enter it in follwing CMD: RD /S /Q your boot volume:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicy > enterRD /S /Q your boot volume:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicyUsers > enter Back to default Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Crap sorry I didn't mean to reply in pm...So the commands ya entered above will help boot to safe mode also?Also I'll add I'm restoring now. .I will def make a recovery dvd now. If it is malware do you think it will be removed? I'm guessing no. What is a good anti malware/virus scanner? I know all the name brands but maybe there is better. ..At the beginning of this post someone said it wasn't good to run avg and super anti spyware. Is this true? And why? Lol I'll wait to ask more. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Let's see if the machine will comply with ones mouse-clicks, eh?I would strongly reccomend creating a system image if the machine boots and allows. One can do this with Clonezilla without Windows being involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Let's see if the machine will comply with ones mouse-clicks, eh? I would strongly reccomend creating a system image if the machine boots and allows. One can do this with Clonezilla without Windows being involved. OK, just woke up. I was forced too reset windows completely, but doing this was successful. yay!!! Thank you blu. I truly appreciate it. I guess now would be good time to start making sure I'm prepared when something like this happens in the future... 1. create a system image?? Doing this on a CD-r, or Dvd is fine , right?? 2. when I was setting up windows, it aked me if I wanted it to automatically check for updates, and do different things to make sure my comp is safe and running correctly. I had the choice of Auto, or customize, I choose auto or now... Was This ok? If not how do I go about changing this setting? 3. The first thing I downloaded and installed was Super Antispyware. I really like this program, but would like to know what other scanner's I should have to run Alongside it??? If there is anything else anyone recommends. pls feel free to add. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Hello, Hello, come on peeps!!!! Let's keep this thread going!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 If there is anything else anyone recommends. pls feel free to add. CCleaner (free version) MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (free version) Sumatra PDF Reader Revo Uninstaller (free version) VLC Media Player Secunia Personal Software Inspector Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeldPhaser Posted July 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 If there is anything else anyone recommends. pls feel free to add. CCleaner (free version) MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (free version) Sumatra PDF Reader Revo Uninstaller (free version) VLC Media Player Secunia Personal Software Inspector Well HAha!! I restored to factory, and it has locked me out again. saying the same windows cannot access the specified device, path,, blah But i can go to safe mode... will malwarebytes remove malware w/ the free edition remove the threats? I have ran hitmanpro, and it found 9 threats, but need full version to try and fix, but it did let me save the log file Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 If you install Malware Bytes, (making sure you refuse the offer to try the Full Version), update it and run a full scan, it will remove whatever threats it finds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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