BleepingComputer.com: Can not boot into Safe Mode

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Can not boot into Safe Mode

#1 flyboy_ont

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Posted 18 November 2009 - 03:50 PM

Some background previous to this problem.

I posted in forum 'Am I infected? What do I do?' because I was infected with the Advanced Virus Remover. It took some time but I was able to get rid of it.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic269995.html

I then came across a service that I could not recognize, which I posted for help at 'Windows Startup Programs Database' forum.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic271125.html

In both forums I was unable to boot to Safe Mode and I still can not boot to Safe Mode. In the second forum posting I indicated that the problem was in one of the system files, because I was able to copy over clean versions to the \Windows\system32\config folder from \Windows\repair folder.

Is there anything that can be done to fix this problem, besides (hopefully) reinstalling the OS. My OS is XP PRO SP2 x64.

Thanks in advance.

#2 hamluis

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Posted 18 November 2009 - 04:20 PM

Can you boot normally?

Louis

Am I Infected, What Do I Do?
Preparation Guide, Malware Log Topics
Using The Report Button
Discussion Forum Rules
Misplaced Malware Logs

#3 flyboy_ont

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Posted 18 November 2009 - 04:27 PM

Yes I can.

#4 Budapest

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Posted 18 November 2009 - 05:15 PM

Download and run this file:

http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/...otKeyRepair.exe

Then see if Safe Mode will work.

_{The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.

—George Bernard Shaw}

#5 flyboy_ont

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Posted 18 November 2009 - 05:18 PM

Tried that already as suggested by Grinler in

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic271125.html

#6 flyboy_ont

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Posted 20 November 2009 - 01:14 PM

I have a question.

There must have been some point at which my SAFE MODE worked. Could I create a restore point, restore back to some point where it worked, copy the SYSTEM, SECURITY,SAM, DEFAULT and SOFTWARE files to another drive. Restore to newly created restore point and copy the copied files to \windows\system32\config folder?

#7 Budapest

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Posted 20 November 2009 - 04:21 PM

I'm not sure about the process you describe - but have you tried the System File Checker?

_{The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.

—George Bernard Shaw}

#8 flyboy_ont

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Posted 20 November 2009 - 04:45 PM

Yes I did and no difference.

#9 flyboy_ont

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Posted 24 November 2009 - 04:31 PM

How about if I

1) Create Restore Point
2) Export Registry
3) Backup the 5 system files
4) Using Windows installation CD, do a repair under Windows Install and see if my Safe Mode works?