DEAD LAPTOP XP HOME SP1A OEM

[ladycd]

I've read so many posts re virtumonde fixes. This evil thing ate my computer.

I cannot get to OPS SYS, DESKTOP, RECOVERY CONSOLE.
I have no files except for some a kind Forum person must have sent to me
last year.

Because of the few files on that CD, my computer acts like it wants to do a
Windows setup.... then asks for Win Home SP2 CD which I do NOT have.

Then, it's over. Can go no further. Only have XP Pro and the OEM xp SP1A.

I am able to get a C:\ now, but nothing works as far as a fix.

I'm running VISTA on this laptop, but nn downloads to copy on to the dead
laptop...
that gives me msgs: NTLDR is missing and just got a new one... ?? file is
missing for recovery console.

So, I guess, I can't do a virtumonde fix until I can get an OPS SYS back.

Desperate for help.

Wish I were a GEEK!!!

Thanks to all who tried to help me on other threads.

Hope this will be -- the last one I need to post a/c this bug.

cd

 

[Charles W Davis]

When you attemp to boot the computer, is there an immediate message
regarding Boot Mode (F1), Set up (f9) and PC Recovery (F10 or F11)? If so,
press F10 or F11 when you see that message and it will recover your
operating system from a recovery partition on the hard drive. Good Luck!

 

[ladycd]

Tnx, Charles...

Tried all of those. Do NOT work.

Just get msg: NTLDR is missing.

 

[Xandros]

I've read so many posts re virtumonde fixes. This evil thing ate my
computer.

I cannot get to OPS SYS, DESKTOP, RECOVERY CONSOLE.
I have no files except for some a kind Forum person must have sent to me
last year.

Because of the few files on that CD, my computer acts like it wants to do
a
Windows setup.... then asks for Win Home SP2 CD which I do NOT have.

Then, it's over. Can go no further. Only have XP Pro and the OEM xp
SP1A.

I am able to get a C:\ now, but nothing works as far as a fix.

I'm running VISTA on this laptop, but nn downloads to copy on to the dead
laptop...
that gives me msgs: NTLDR is missing and just got a new one... ?? file is
missing for recovery console.

So, I guess, I can't do a virtumonde fix until I can get an OPS SYS back.

Desperate for help.

Wish I were a GEEK!!!

Thanks to all who tried to help me on other threads.

Hope this will be -- the last one I need to post a/c this bug.

cd

You say you have a Windows XP Pro CD and an OEM XP with SP1a. If so boot
into the recovery console and do a repair as suggested here
http://www.auditmypc.com/virtumonde-remove.asp

Can you explain the problem more clearly. While you understand may your
abbreviations it is hard for me to do so. For example what do you mean by
"nn downloads to copy on dead laptop..." Also what do you mean by " a/c this
bug."

Xandros

 

[Daave]

Replies are inline.

I've read so many posts re virtumonde fixes. This evil thing ate my
computer.

I cannot get to OPS SYS, DESKTOP, RECOVERY CONSOLE.
I have no files except for some a kind Forum person must have sent to
me
last year.

Because of the few files on that CD, my computer acts like it wants
to do a
Windows setup.... then asks for Win Home SP2 CD which I do NOT have.

It sounds like someone sent you some sort of CD a year ago that has a
few files on it. Unfortunately, that is not nearly enough information.
Are you able to definitively identify this CD?

You say that your "computer acts like it wants to do a Windows setup."
Again, what exactly is happening. The more details, the better.

Are you saying you do not have an installation disk for XP? Did you ever
have one? In your other post, you said you had an HP (Pavilion) zx5000
laptop. Is this the same PC you are referring to in this post? What was
the method HP gave you to restore your PC to its original state? A
recovery disk? Or perhaps instructions to use a hidden recovery
partition on the hard drive?

This PC originally had XP Home, correct? How did you wind up with XP
Pro?

Then, it's over. Can go no further. Only have XP Pro and the OEM xp
SP1A.

What exactly do you mean by that last sentence? What exactly is it that
you have? Your subject line states XP Home.

I am able to get a C:\ now, but nothing works as far as a fix.

Which fixes have you tried?

I'm running VISTA on this laptop, but nn downloads to copy on to the
dead
laptop...

Sorry, you lost me here! Is there more than one PC?

that gives me msgs: NTLDR is missing and just got a new one... ?? file
is
missing for recovery console.

If there are two laptops, which one is giving you that message?

So, I guess, I can't do a virtumonde fix until I can get an OPS SYS
back.

Do you mean "operating system" (OS)?

I would imagine a clean install would be your best bet at this point.
Hopefully, you had already backed up all your important data before you
got the infection. If you want to take a crack at it, you can try to
salvage your system on your own (with our guidance). But it sounds like
it might be best to take your PC to a competent, local PC repair shop
(not a chain store!).

 

[ladycd]

So sorry.

nn = need
a/c = account of/because of

I am unable to do any repairs because some or all of the recovery console
files are missing.
I have nowhere to enter any URL address nor get to any sites.

I am able to get to a screen that offers choices: "R" for repair.... Enter
to install Windows SP2 (which I don't have on CD, only have SP1a on my
Recovery disks that don't work.. or hit F3 to exit. Cannot get any further.
(Repair doesn't work, either.)

Tnx = Thanks...

 

[ladycd]

MY ANSWERS ARE THREADED INTO YOUR CARING QUESTIONS.

Because of the few files on that CD, my computer acts like it wants to do a
Windows setup.... then asks for Win Home SP2 CD which I do NOT have.

It sounds like someone sent you some sort of CD a year ago that has a
few files on it. Unfortunately, that is not nearly enough information.
Are you able to definitively identify this CD?

THERE ARE ABOUT 213-215 FILES ON THE CD. MOST ARE UNDER "i386" AND 2 ARE
UNDER "SYSTEM32". TITLE FOR E:\ VRMHFPP_EN .

You say that your "computer acts like it wants to do a Windows setup."
Again, what exactly is happening. The more details, the better. I GET
THREE CHOICES AS MENTIONED ABOVE. UNABLE TO DO ANY EXCEPT F3 = EXIT.

Are you saying you do not have an installation disk for XP? Did you ever
have one? I HAVE ALL THE ORIGINAL RECOVERY DISKS. THEY DO NOT RECOVER
ANYTHING FOR ME. DON'T INSTALL NOR RECOVER. In your other post, you said
you had an HP (Pavilion) zx5000 laptop. Is this the same PC you are referring
to in this post? YES.
What was the method HP gave you to restore your PC to its original state? A
recovery disk? Or perhaps instructions to use a hidden recovery partition on
the hard drive? HAVE NOT CHKD WITH HP TO ANY EXTENT BECAUSE MICROSOFT IS THE
MAIN COMPANY THAT I DEAL WITH FOR MOST TECH STUFF BECAUSE IT'S THEIRS ANYWAY.
GEEKS ON FORUMS ARE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE.

This PC originally had XP Home, correct? YES... XP HOME SP1A . How did
you wind up with XP Pro? I PURCHASED THE UPGRADE AND THEN THE FULL
VERSION (THANKS. GATEWAY... useless company).

Then, it's over. Can go no further. Only have XP Pro and the OEM xp
SP1A.

What exactly do you mean by that last sentence? What exactly is it that
you have? Your subject line states XP Home. OEM IS XP HOME SP1A.

I am able to get a C:\ now, but nothing works as far as a fix.

Which fixes have you tried? BOOTFIX, ??? ANY FILE THAT HAD TO DO WITH A
FIX OR REPAIR WITH SOME EXTENSIONS. ??? VISTA DOS FILES ARE DIFFERENT.
CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH ONES I TRIED. ALSO, SOME ON FORUMS AND SOME FROM THE
MVP SITE. DIFFICULT TO DOWNLOAD TO MY VISTA LAPTOP. OPEN .EXE FILES TO COPY
ONTO A CD AND THEN TO DEAD LAPTOP. THE FIXES I'VE TRIED HAVE NOT CHANGED
ANTHING FOR ME, YET.

Thanks for your concern.

 

[Daave]

Okay, I'm slightly less confused.

I need a bit more clarification, though.

THERE ARE ABOUT 213-215 FILES ON THE CD. MOST
ARE UNDER "i386" AND 2 ARE
UNDER "SYSTEM32". TITLE FOR E:\ VRMHFPP_EN .

That sounds like you have a copy of a generic OEM installation disk of
Windows XP Home w/ SP2. That is good (assuming it's genuine). You have a
license to run this OS (because it was part of the PC purchase). The
Product Key can be found on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
sticker which should be on the bottom of your laptop. So it you ever
need to perform a clean install, you should be good to go.

I GET THREE CHOICES AS MENTIONED ABOVE. UNABLE
TO DO ANY EXCEPT F3 = EXIT.

And in your other post:

I am able to get to a screen that offers choices: "R" for repair....
Enter to install Windows SP2 (which I don't have on CD, only
have SP1a on my Recovery disks that don't work.. or hit F3
to exit. Cannot get any further.
(Repair doesn't work, either.)

It sounds like you didn't use the disk above (TITLE FOR E:\
VRMHFPP_EN). Assuming I am correct, which disk did you use?

I HAVE ALL THE ORIGINAL RECOVERY DISKS. THEY
DO NOT RECOVER ANYTHING FOR ME. DON'T INSTALL
NOR RECOVER.

How many recovery disks do you have? Please describe them in detail.

What was the method HP gave you to restore your PC to its original
state? A
recovery disk? Or perhaps instructions to use a hidden recovery
partition on
the hard drive?

HAVE NOT CHKD WITH HP TO ANY EXTENT BECAUSE
MICROSOFT IS THE MAIN COMPANY THAT I DEAL WITH
FOR MOST TECH STUFF BECAUSE IT'S THEIRS ANYWAY.
GEEKS ON FORUMS ARE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE.

What I meant was when you purchased your PC, what method of recovery did
it come with? It sounds like you didn't get a full installation disk.
But maybe you received a genuine HP Windows XP recovery disk, correct?
If so, that is one way you can start from scratch if you ever need to.

And you are mistaken. Microsoft (as a company) does not support XP in
this case. That is the responsibility of the OEM (HP). That being said,
I agree that there are many in this Microsoft newsgroup (by the way,
these people are not employed by Microsoft; they're just volunteers) who
can offer quality help.

YES... XP HOME SP1A .

I PURCHASED THE UPGRADE AND THEN THE FULL
VERSION (THANKS. GATEWAY... useless company).

I assume that your Gateway recovery disk contains XP Home SP1A, correct?

That is a shame you purchased *two* additional copies of XP. It wasn't
necessary, and I'm sure it cost quite a bit. :-( Is it correct that both
the Upgrade and Full versions are of XP Pro? If so, what Service Pack
level are they at? SP2, maybe?

I really think your best bet (like I said earlier) is a clean install.
You might as well do this with the Full version of XP Pro (assuming that
I am correct in understanding this is one of the disks you have). And if
you never had purchase the Upgrade and Full disks, the disk you
described above (TITLE FOR E:\ VRMHFPP_EN) would probably work, too.
But if you have a genuine Full version of XP Pro, that's the way to go.

Here are good instructions:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Make sure you are booting off your CD-ROM drive! Also, see:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Hopefully, all your important data has been backed up already. If not,
performing a clean install will destroy it all. So, it is advised to
physically remove the hard drive and put it in a USB enclosure. The you
can copy the data to your other laptop.

One final word: Don't lose the COA sticker to your XP Pro! It contains
your Product Key.

Good luck!

 

[Xandros]

If you have and XP CD then try a Repair Installation. See here
http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic8356.html