Windows got hosed by the Spyware Demon

[XPTB]

Spyware, probably viruses and who knows what else. Silenze can back me up when I say people don't know how to use computers. My sister got so much spyware/viruses that her computer couldn't stay on for more than 10 minutes. I went over there and started cleaning when, poof, windows got fatally damaged. I was thinking maybe ad aware deleted something important, but I doubt it.

Anyway, Whenever windows loaded I got the BSoD with the label "UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME" as the headline. Every time it said this. Safe mode wouldn't work. It stopped at the file amdagp.sys.

After this I tried to use the windows CD and repair it. When it got to the part where it examined the hard drive (Step 2) the hard drive would spin forever, never stop. The computer would also be locked up. I tried going to the normal re-installation of windows, but it stopped on "looking for previous versions of windows" which would cause the hard drive to spin into eternity.

Another thing it does is the "Click" noise. Normally I hear this noise when the hard drive resets, like on a reboot or something. This hard drive does it randomly.

So I now have it at home, probably going to run the Maxtor diagnostic utility to see if all the strain of that junk caused the hard drive to fail. The thing is 4 years old and I realize that is a good life span for a Maxtor. My only hope is I can save their 9 or so gig of MP3s :lol:

Oh to be a computer expert right about now.

Any thoughts on this? Also, if you know of a way to reach a command prompt without loading safe mode or an operating system that would be great.

[undergroundtech]

Have you tried a Win9X boot disk, you maybe able copy the files you need from there.
If that does not work, you will prolly need to remove the drive and install it as a slave in a working PC to recover the files.

[KryoNexus]

yeh, just stick the HD in another box and try to pull as much stuff off of it as possible. personally, i think it sounds like the hard drive has crapped out and i'll be surprised if you can even get the drivers to load for it. that being said though, maybe you'll get lucky and be able to salvage a bit of data from it. i'd start with the small/important files first before you move on to mp3's.

also, you might want to try a program called Easy Recovery Professional. I'm sure you can find it around someplace.

[siq]

I agree with Kryo. I don't think much of it is left to be salvaged.

They need to start making laws of computer abuse. You know kind of like child abuse. Keep them clean and they'll function just fine hehe

[KryoNexus]

I agree with Kryo. I don't think much of it is left to be salvaged.

They need to start making laws of computer abuse. You know kind of like child abuse. Keep them clean and they'll function just fine hehe

i keep them clean and i have still killed off at least 5 hard drives, some maxtor, some western digital.

[siq]

True. I have had my hard drive for about three years without any major problems so far. Any problem's I've had was the result of my ignorance :roll:

[undergroundtech]

i'd start with the small/important files first before you move on to mp3's.

If its like mine, the MP3's are the important files, everything else can be replaced with out much trouble. :mrgreen:

[XPTB]

If its like mine, the MP3's are the important files, everything else can be replaced with out much trouble. :mrgreen:

That's how this one is. Well I downloaded Maxtors recovery disk thing and ran it. The damn thing found an error and fixed it in about 4 seconds. I was very surprised. Fired the machine back up and *POOF* there was windows. The thing ran scan disk on boot up and it removed some folders it said didn't exist anymore (that was from the hard drive fix that said the files would be lost on that sector). Turns out, none of the MP3s or her pictures were touched! Burned all them to CDs and did a clean format and reinstalled windows with integrated SP2. Works like a champ now.

yay Maxtor!

[undergroundtech]

Nice... Glad to hear everything is working now 8)

[XPTB]

Especially when it costs 0 dollars.

Well, 0 dollars for me, NOT FOR HER! MWAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

Ok, I'm not that cold hearted. I wouldn't charge my own sister

[KryoNexus]

still though, if it found bad sectors, it's probably going bad. i'd go ahead and replace it.

[XPTB]

you think? It said it fixed it and then it passed every other test. In windows it runs so smooth I almost forgot it was broken.

[undergroundtech]

Yeah... If it has bad sectors, they will eventually start cropping up like cancer.

[Caj Darkmoon]

I'm sorry, did I see service pack two?

Sigh...

[XPTB]

SP2 is good for n00bs like my sis who don't have a clue how the computer works. It's good to help protect since the firewall that comes with it actually acts like a firewall. She was happy that she didn't have to spend 50 bucks on a new hard drive.

I still have all her MP3s backed up so if the drive finally does explode with fiery goodness, at least she can listen to her MP3s!