Win10 stuck in repair loop

[Pukmeister]

Getting somewhere now, but very slowly.

After backing up essential data first:

I’ve downloaded and manually replaced about five AVG antivirus system files from an online repository, each one requiring copying into the respective folders on C:\ (into two different folders), shutting down, swapping boot sequence in UEFI, then rebooting and writing down the next one that freezes the boot up, then repeat. It’s taken hours and tested my patience.

I just finally got it to boot up to the front end login screen in Windows twice, so I’m past the AVG preventing it booting, but I have no keyboard. I suspect keybrd.sys may be corrupt or unreadable but that’s a job for tomorrow.

……The shit or bust option is to reinstall Windows, but I’m not giving up yet now I’ve come this far.

 

[Pukmeister]

Just to close the tale, I've managed to get into Windows 10 using the virtual keyboard as many of the operating system files are corrupt including the USB and Keyboard drivers. The registry is a lost cause, as is the search function.

I have cleaned the entire system and it is now quarantined from any unwanted activity.

I can now access all my data and extract it but it will never be properly fixed. I have ordered a bigger 2TB M2 drive arriving tomorrow and will install a fresh copy of Win10 on it and upgrade via MS straight to Win11, then install the antivirus and software packages I need. I will also install two factor authentication and prevent my Son from ever going near my PC again, the wife I can easily rebrief about downloading stuff. I can then migrate data and wipe the old 500Gb M2 drive and use it for storage.

Malwarebytes found 87 possibly malicious items, five were 'adbots' (non-malicious) from my login so no big deal, the rest were very malicious from my wife and sons logins. It could have been a simple Kernel Panic during a disk write that corrupted so much stuff but it doesn't explain how it was only critical antivirus boot check, system files and the registry that were the target, along with no system restore points available despite me knowing they were created in the past. I may make a note later of what has been quarantined and do a little reading up on it to see if we are the victims of a malicious attack.

All's well that ends well.

 

[SBD]

Will you be installing AVG or some other AV?

My cynical mind thinks that the AV companies have something to gain by having viruses around, whereas OS suppliers have much to gain by killing then (and the AV industry) off completely. And of course you can’t have a ‘puter without an OS.

 

[Pukmeister]

I have been chatting here with Fil (Sparkplug) who is one of our resident IT gurus with far better knowledge than me. I have listened to his advice regarding Antivirus/Online Security packages (I always run one anyway) and will choose one based upon his recommendations, along with checking my VPN and NAS settings. I will also install the same AV software on all devices on my home network using a multiple device license and clean them all individually. This is the only time my PC has been 'protected' by a free AV package (AVG) and now I've had problems. I will invest in another paid service next time, I always trusted Kaspersky Internet Security but sadly I won't be using them again due to security concerns over their Russian owners.

I will also make sure I incorporate some form of "disaster recovery" into the network, again I already did this to a degree with my NAS but have been too complacent lately and it has bitten me in the arse. I will also revisit the firewall and security features on my Netgear Nighthawk R7000 home router.

Finally I will incorporate two factor authentication as another layer of security on the main PC, it will take a little setting up but once done it should stop rogue operators (aka my Son) from getting into my system and compromising my stuff.

Thanks for all the help, advice and tips.

 

[Mzokk]

In my main computer I run two 512 GB NVME OS hard drives one running Win11 and one running Linux Mint 22. These are switched via the boot order in the Bios. I have a 4TB archive drive in the machine to store data and a 2TB projects drive for stuff that i'm working on and an old 3TB NAS filled with music and photos that I can access via a network music player and my TV. I use freefilesync through Linux (I've used it for years) to do backups of data on the machine to one of two 4TB WD usb drives. They are swapped on a weekly basis(when I do the backup) with one staying in the house and the other at my sisters house. I have a load of photos and videos from my kids childhood and I'd hate to lose them. Plus 600 odd CD's worth of ripped CD's in Flac format. Sounds a bit OTT but hopefully if I lost either of the OS drives the data should be fine.

 

[JoeBiff]

….. trusted Kaspersky Internet Security …….. Russian owners.

Oxymoronic

 

[JoeBiff]

… I will invest in another paid service next time…..

I used to use Norton, till one of their Indian operatives tried emptying my back account.
Never again….

I’d prefer to place my trust in Windows own AV and Firewall.

Plus, and I’m happy to be corrected here, but I thought two different AV working against each other wasn’t a particular clever thing???

 

[Pukmeister]

Which is why Windows gives you the option to use a third party AV suite and disable its own protection.

Some compact AV stuff can run in conjunction such as Malwarebytes.

But you are correct in that using two AV programs together could cause conflicts.

 

[Mzokk]

The other security technique is to keep the computer on your network that has most of your data sort of air gapped. My main machine is mainly used for photo, video and music manipulation. It is rarely used for browsing or e-commerce. Its connected to the internet periodically mostly for software updates and the like. Hopefully this reduces the chance of malicious software.......though its no guarantee.

Stuxnet - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Pukmeister]

I’ve cloned my NVMe drive across to a bigger one, now trying to repair the cloned copy of the OS on the new drive by reinstalling and then upgrading to Win 11. If all else fails the old drive is available.

 

[JoeBiff]

I’ve cloned my NVMe drive across to a bigger one, now trying to repair the cloned copy of the OS on the new drive by reinstalling and then upgrading to Win 11. If all else fails the old drive is available.

I’ve been watching this thread with interest. Almost identical to my failed hard drive earlier this year, but I let an expert clone, recover, and replace as I’m not that savvy with this tech stuff.

 

[Pukmeister]

Something else is awry, it’s most unusual. The software I used has mounted, formatted, activated and cloned the drive and tried to make it bootable but it won’t boot, some warning message was briefly provided under an exception error about a power management driver issue.

I’m going to manually reformat the new drive and install a fresh copy of Windows.

I hate waving the white flag and giving in, but it’s just too much time and hassle and life’s too short to waste on this shit anymore.

Thank God (and Apple) for my simple iPad.

 

[SBD]

Honestly, if you’ve saved your data, then the OS is the least of your worries.