Forcing system restore

[visuals4u]

A virus is preventing me from restoring an HP mini 110. Can't get to system
restore and enter a previous date in time. Can't restore at startup because
F8 is not working. Can't get to Run to enter msconfig and select safeboot.
Can anyone recommend another way to force a restoration?

 

[Leonard Grey]

System Restore cannot remove a malware infection.

If you feel confident in being able to follow technical directions, we
can suggest software you could install that /might/ be able to remove
the malware. Otherwise, show your computer to a professional or erase
the hard disk and start over.

 

[smlunatick]

A virus is preventing me from restoring an HP mini 110. Can't get to system
restore and enter a previous date in time. Can't restore at startup because
F8 is not working. Can't get to Run to enter msconfig  and select  safeboot.
Can anyone recommend another way to force a restoration?

Are your sure that you still have restore points? Most viruses now a
days will delete all restore points and turns off System Restore
before "embedding" itself onto the "affected" PC.

You may need "professional" help as the virus is too much "embedded."
The professional help will "probably" remove the affected drive and
attach it as a secondary drive on another PC. Then, they could
possibly do a complete virus scan / clean-up.

However, it must be noted that if the virus can not be cleared up, a
complete re-install will be needs. This complete re-install can be
considered as a "fresh" install.

 

[visuals4u]

The virus did turn off System Restore, however I managed to turn it back on
after numerous restarts. Can't input a restore date becaue the process takes
too long to get there and the virus blocks me from entering a date and
clicking Next.

I can't get to the internet. Also can't install a disk, because this is a
mini netbook. My last hope is to do it at startup. Is there another key (or
set of keys to hit while the computer is booting? Can I change the settings
in the Configuration under Services? Right now, it says Minimal under System
Restore > Startboot

 

[SC Tom]

Unfortunately, one SR is turned off, all restore points are gone. The only
one you'll have is one that was created sometime after you turned it back
on, and that one obviously is not going to be of much use. No system backups
or disk image to fall back on?

 

[Daave]

A virus is preventing me from restoring an HP mini 110. Can't get to
system restore and enter a previous date in time. Can't restore at
startup because F8 is not working. Can't get to Run to enter msconfig
and select safeboot. Can anyone recommend another way to force a
restoration?

You are describing Windows System Restore. Even if you could do it, it
would be a bad idea (because the virus would still be there). If you are
unable to remove the virus, you need to copy your data and start fresh.

Netbooks aren't the easiest to work with because they don't even have
internal optical drives. Do you have access to an external optical
drive? If so, you can boot off a rescue disk which would at the least
allow you to copy your data if that needs to be done. Also there are
bootable antivirus CDs that can help you in this situation. Post back
and we can post links for you.

Are you able to identify the virus? If so, that information should allow
us to give you more pertinent solutions.

P.S.: Another option is to physically remove your hard drive and place
it in an enclosure and connect it to a working PC and use *that* PC to
remove the virus.

 

[visuals4u]

Don't need to copy the data. It's my son's computer and nothing important is
on therre. He saves to a flash drive.

The virus is from platinum-antivir.net

 

[Daave]

Assuming the installation media for all the programs is readily
available, a Clean Install (or its equivalent) may be the wisest course
of action.

 

[visuals4u]

Thanks everyone. I contacted HP and found out there is a Roxio Back on Track
application on the netbook. Was able to perform a system restore back to
September '09. I have a full virus scan scheduled for today, but I believe I
will take the necessary steps to create a system recovery back to
manufacturer's settings - just to be safe.

Thanks soooooo much for all of your responses.