Non Linux Question: Windows Vista

[David Carmichael]

The Story:

Many moons ago at a Wal-Mart Pre-Thanksgiving "Black Friday Sale"  grabbed a low cost Acer laptop for my wife

For the longest time it was the fastest computer in the house.

We had done the first owner recovery process... and placed the disc's in a safe place.

Time has gone by... almost six years...

Some how the computer picked up a few bugs... Connie claims she got it from a video link at "Facebook" last November.... there were news stories of such a nasty at that time.

At the time I could not take the chance of her loosing data files so just purchased her a newer computer, turned off its wireless and moved files via thumb drive to another computer scanning the files three times using three different virus/malware/Trojan scanning software packages before moving on to her new computer.

Turned off the laptop and set to the side for when I had time to reformat / install the OS fresh...

Six months latter...

My backup / home automation (X10) computers power supply fails.

I decide to try to use the old laptop as it has a faster CPU than the failed system.

Grabbed the original recover discs from ages ago... only to find that the disc's are not readable!!!  Sector errors on three different computers and so could not use discs!! 

And the recovery sector of the system had been damaged by the ""BUGS"".

So for the last two weeks I have been "KILLING BUGS" one at a time.

I am being told the system is now bug free by three different virus programs.

Trouble is one of the bugs or virus protection programs seems to of replaced/damaged/deleted the built-in Windows Security Control Panel, so on boot I get a windows error about not having any protection and even after turning it off the pop-up balloon will show up almost on the hour.

The Question:

Does anybody here know of a way to re-install or completely delete the "Windows Security Control Panel" files and where to get the files for VISTA SP2+?

Comment:

It seems that most of the fixes that I can find expect the user to have a readable windows install sector or disc.

It seems that even a bad or interrupted uninstall of some virus software can damage the "Windows Security Control Panel" and the only fix I could find was a reformat!

Acer wants what I could purchase a Win7 upgrade package for the OEM reinstall disc set.

Due to the fact that my X-10 software has no known Linux versions, I would try installing Linus on this system.

:David

[John Alexander]

Two options that come to mind:

1) Linux w/ Wine

2) Find somebody who has a subscription to the Microsoft Developers Network, who then typically has access to the latest "respin" discs, which should include Vista SP2. You could then boot that disc and use it to perform a repair install, the issue being that if YOUR machine has had updates applied since THEIR disc was stamped, making it a 'newer' version of Vista, you don't get the repair option, at which time the Microsoft install program will ask you if you want to wipe the hard drive and start over.

ja

--

John Alexander

Owner, Alexicom Computing

316.684.8471

[Dale Beams]

Most often you have the option of "fulfillment discs" from the
manufacturer. I'd try for that option first.

It's virus protection. One only really needs MS Security Essentials
when cleaned up provided you really have it clean. With viruses
changing so often, most "major" anti-virus companies can't keep up any
more and using a pay solution is as good as throwing money away.

Sooo....

Guarantee that you have a good cleanup.

BACKUP!

Bleeping Computer
- Defogger
- RKill
- Combofix
- GMER (If needed)

MalwareBytes

CCleaner

MS Security Essentials

Portable RevoCleaner - Purge other anti-viruses.

That should fix you. Then order fulfillment discs. Don't take no, find
a way. Though I'd just as soon as order a "retail" copy of Windows 7
from newegg, dump Vista and be happy. With a retail copy you can move
it to another computer if needed for as long as you like. Retail
versions are only slightly more and less headache.

Dale

[David Carmichael]

Dale:

Thanks for the reply.. I am sure that this laptop is virus free now..  

I really hate to spend $$ for a new OS on a computer that is now close to 5years old.

It came with McAfee and Norton was install and finally AVG... And the first two have notices about if they are not removed correctly they could damage the Windows Security Panel.

:David

--

 

--

I live in my own little world. But it's OK. They know me here.

Growing older is mandatory...Growing up is optional...

Wii Address: 0441-6820-0158-3757 / Mario Kart Wii: 3052-0348-5504

-----------------------------------------------

Stamp.Com:

Tell-A-Friend and receive up to $20 in Free Postage

We all know somebody who can benefit from using Stamps.com.

If you successfully register for Stamps.com and remains a customer after the

trial period you could also benefit from a valuable $100.00 offer just for signing up.

www.stamps.com/tell.    Your Tell-A-Friend Promo Code is: C-3QTM-N49

-----------------------------------------------

DirecTV Tell-A-Friend

$100.00 in bill credits on top of their best offers for new customers.

You can order online at:   www.Directv.com/refer  /  or by calling 1-800-507-4045.

Make sure to refer to my DIRECTV account number:  214250

You will need my account number when you order to get the $100 credit.

-----------------------------------------------

[David Carmichael]

Anybody here a member of Microsoft Developers Network?