Repair Install Aftermath

[FDQ]

After doing a repair install of XPPro due to the
adaware/blazefind issue, (BIG MISTAKE) I now have several
problems I hope someone can advise me on. The fix did
some things I knew it would (erase system restore points,
roll back Windows Updates) but, also removed some drivers
(VGA, ATI 8500-128 Card Drivers). I repaired these after
some work. However, the windows update needs to be done
manually. I'm still waiting on a response from MS on that
fix. Anyway,

1. I lost some files - I assume they're gone for good - is
there anyway to recover them?

2. Evertime I boot up now, I get the msg "one of your
disks needs to ber checked for consistancy" I allowed it
to do this the first start-up after the repair install -
this is when I lost the files. I don't let it do the
check now because of that. It appears it only has a
problem with one folder on my second HD.

3. Windows installer tries to install a program already
installed on my computer when I start up, try to copy and
paste, and various other tasks.

4. I can't get to the control panel and add/remove progs,
etc. the screen flashes, i lose an icon or two in the
taskbar (usually my motherboard monitor) and then it's
functional. Unfortunately, the add/remove programs was
the best place for me to see what progs were affected by
the repair.

I know this is alot - but any assistance would be greatly
appreciated. Feel free to use my email @
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Andre Da Costa]

Restart in Safe Mode and do disk defrag, remembe to disable any screen
savers. Restart and then do Windows Update.

Andre Da Costa

 

[Rock]

Answers in line:

After doing a repair install of XPPro due to the
adaware/blazefind issue, (BIG MISTAKE) I now have several
problems I hope someone can advise me on. The fix did
some things I knew it would (erase system restore points,
roll back Windows Updates) but, also removed some drivers
(VGA, ATI 8500-128 Card Drivers). I repaired these after
some work. However, the windows update needs to be done
manually. I'm still waiting on a response from MS on that
fix. Anyway,

1. I lost some files - I assume they're gone for good - is
there anyway to recover them?

There are ways to recover files however the more you use the computer
the less likely is the chance of success. Here are some programs to try.

Executive Software “Undelete”:
http://www.execsoft.com/undelete/undelete.asp

Also:

http://www.collina.us/files/REST2514.htm
http://www3.telus.net/mikebike/RESTORATION.html

Recover and Restore Deleted Files (Line 36)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

File Saver Pro - Recover Deleted Files
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_u.htm#xp_util

www.recovermyfiles.com

2. Evertime I boot up now, I get the msg "one of your
disks needs to ber checked for consistancy" I allowed it
to do this the first start-up after the repair install -
this is when I lost the files. I don't let it do the
check now because of that. It appears it only has a
problem with one folder on my second HD.

Run the recovery console and do a chkdsk /r on the drive.

3. Windows installer tries to install a program already
installed on my computer when I start up, try to copy and
paste, and various other tasks.

Use the Windows Installer Clean up Utility:
Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=290301

Windows Installer Clean up Utility
http://download.microsoft.com/download/office2000pro/util20/1/NT4/EN-US/msicuu.exe

4. I can't get to the control panel and add/remove progs,
etc. the screen flashes, i lose an icon or two in the
taskbar (usually my motherboard monitor) and then it's
functional. Unfortunately, the add/remove programs was
the best place for me to see what progs were affected by
the repair.

Have you done a thorough scan for malware? Do that to remove any
traces. Then Start | Run | sfc /scannow. Note the space between sfc
and the /. Have the installation CD handy.

 

[FDQ]

-----Original Message-----
Answers in line:


There are ways to recover files however the more you use the computer
the less likely is the chance of success. Here are some programs to try.

Executive Software "Undelete":
http://www.execsoft.com/undelete/undelete.asp

Also:

http://www.collina.us/files/REST2514.htm
http://www3.telus.net/mikebike/RESTORATION.html

Recover and Restore Deleted Files (Line 36)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

File Saver Pro - Recover Deleted Files
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_u.htm#xp_util

www.recovermyfiles.com



Run the recovery console and do a chkdsk /r on the drive.


Use the Windows Installer Clean up Utility:
Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=290301

Windows Installer Clean up Utility
http://download.microsoft.com/download/office2000pro/util 20/1/NT4/EN-US/msicuu.exe

Have you done a thorough scan for malware? Do that to remove any
traces. Then Start | Run | sfc /scannow. Note the space between sfc
and the /. Have the installation CD handy.


.
As always Rock - thank you very much for your input.

I'll give these a try over the next day. Thank you.

 

[Rock]

As always Rock - thank you very much for your input.

I'll give these a try over the next day. Thank you.

You're welcome. Good luck and post back with the results.

 

[FDQ]

-----Original Message-----


You're welcome. Good luck and post back with the results.

Hi Rock -

So far I have completed the Windows Installer problem
without incident.

I had a few malwares left after another adaware scan. I
can get to the control panel - but it is still
tempermental. A lot of hang time getting there, and I've
only tried it once. Some progs and security updates are
listed in the add/remove progs section, but not shown as
there on the right side of the screen.

I havent' tried the other stuff yet - this weekend.

The computer starts up pretty slowly now too - the
desktop will show without the icons and hang there -
eventually it goes - but it's a nerw thing.

And finally, I assume there isn't an order these repairs
need to be done? What are the chances of losing more
files after working on the 2nd hard drive with the
recovery console?

Thanks.

 

[Rock]

FDQ wrote:

So far I have completed the Windows Installer problem
without incident.

I had a few malwares left after another adaware scan. I
can get to the control panel - but it is still
tempermental. A lot of hang time getting there, and I've
only tried it once. Some progs and security updates are
listed in the add/remove progs section, but not shown as
there on the right side of the screen.

I havent' tried the other stuff yet - this weekend.

The computer starts up pretty slowly now too - the
desktop will show without the icons and hang there -
eventually it goes - but it's a nerw thing.

And finally, I assume there isn't an order these repairs
need to be done? What are the chances of losing more
files after working on the 2nd hard drive with the
recovery console?

Thanks.

You should try the data recovery first. The longer you delay the more
unlikely you will recover data. Data files are not removed from the
drive when they are erased. Their directory entry is removed, and the
space they occupy is marked as available, but the data is still there
until overwritten. So the sooner you get to it the better. However,
given all that you have done to the system, I would guess you will be
able to recover very little, if at all.

Start with the thorough malware cleaning. You have to do all the steps
an in the proper way after updating each program, and in safe mode.
updating each program

 

[FDQ]

-----Original Message-----
FDQ wrote:



You should try the data recovery first. The longer you delay the more
unlikely you will recover data. Data files are not removed from the
drive when they are erased. Their directory entry is removed, and the
space they occupy is marked as available, but the data is still there
until overwritten. So the sooner you get to it the better. However,
given all that you have done to the system, I would guess you will be
able to recover very little, if at all.

Start with the thorough malware cleaning. You have to do all the steps
an in the proper way after updating each program, and in safe mode.
updating each program

.

By the way Rock - I remember when it did the disk check
the first time a lot of stuff flashing on the screen
about deleting and recovering orphan files...

While backing up some files, I found some of the missing
files that I could only see through the burning program -
not windows explorer. They were in a folder named
found.000 with subfolders dir0000.chk thru dir0004.chk.
Some of the files were in here, not many, but some.

I'll be trying your other fixes today.

 

[Rock]

By the way Rock - I remember when it did the disk check
the first time a lot of stuff flashing on the screen
about deleting and recovering orphan files...

While backing up some files, I found some of the missing
files that I could only see through the burning program -
not windows explorer. They were in a folder named
found.000 with subfolders dir0000.chk thru dir0004.chk.
Some of the files were in here, not many, but some.

I'll be trying your other fixes today.

Ok. It's surprising you were able to recover any files from chkdks.
Those are usually just gibberish.