Install / Uninstall / Update issues

Hello, and thank you for your time. 

The exact problems are:

1. I am unable to open "Uninstall a Program" through the control panel unless in safe mode. I click and nothing happens.

2. I am unable to update Java, or install a program (Final Fantasy 14 downloader).

Error message: http://imgur.com/a/nCxfo

3. My computer takes an abnormally long time to boot up. During the boot up process, it will sit on a black screen with the cursor visible for about 30-45 seconds before taking me to the log in screen. Windows 7 boots off the SSD, so this feels like unusual behavior. 

I previously posted in the Am I infected? thread and ran through a collection of tools. Boopme helped me make sure the computer was clean and sent me here to make a new thread.  

Old thread with tool logs: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/650039/computer-possibly-infected-with-malware-possibly-being-used-as-a-bot/

I think it's an OS issue, but unfortunately I only know enough about computers to be dangerous. 

Have you read this post ?

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/83436028-4c75-4dbc-886b-6ab657af19ce/unable-to-open-uninstall-a-program-through-control-panel?forum=w7itprogeneral

The suggestion solution for question 1 is

Click Start=>type cmd in the search box=>right-click the command prompt from the results in programs and select run as administrator. This is called an elevated command prompt.

Now type sfc /scannow next to the cursor and tap enter (note the space before the slash)

This will run the system file checker utility which checks and repairs system files. It takes a while, so be patient. When it's finished, restart the computer, log-in and test access to the Start=>Control Panel=>Uninstall a program.

Consider what you have recently changed or installed to possibly cause this issue as something in normal mode is the cause.

Edited by wseng92, 03 July 2017 - 11:27 AM.

Thank you for your reply.

I can check this when I get home today.

However, the problem I am experiencing is a little different than the one the user was having in the link. I am getting no response from Windows when I click on Uninstall a Program, while he was getting an error message. I'm unsure if that makes any difference, but I feel like the more clarity there is, the faster my computers problem will be fixed.

Thanks again. 

Do you get an error message?

Look in the Windows Event Logs for clues...

In Control Panel, navigate to Administrative Tools and click on Event Viewer.

Expand the Custom Views folder and click on Administrative Events.

The Administrative Events contain Warnings, Errors, and Critical events from all event logs.

If there are too many errors, try to do an uninstall and then check the logs immediately after.

Clicking on the Date and Time column will change the sort order so you can see the newest entries first.

Even though your problem is different, running sfc /SCANNOW from an elevated Command prompt is good advice, especially when a Windows function is not working.

Also, unless you specifically need Java for a program you use, I would uninstall it (when uninstall is working).

Java is a malware magnet.

Edited by jwoods301, 03 July 2017 - 02:46 PM.

I do not get an error message, but I will look in the Windows Event Logs to see if anything generates after I click the text. 

I am unable to do an uninstall and check the logs after. I can try to uninstall in safe mode, but I recall there being an issue with that as well. 

I was planning on running sfc /scannow when I got home this evening, thanks for verifying that advice. 

I will uninstall Java as soon as I am able

Thanks for your reply. I'll report back when I get to my machine. 

In the case of the Windows Event logs, we actually want the uninstall to fail so we can see if the reason why shows up in the logs.

Hi and Happy 4th. 

Completed sfc /scannow and it said that Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. It gave me a directory to look in for a log. I found the log (CBS.log) but am unable to open it - Access is Denied. 

As to Event Viewer: it is logging my unsuccessful click on "Uninstall a Program" with this: The server {06622D85-6856-4460-8DE1-A81921B41C4B} did not register with DCOM within the required timeout.

There is a total of 4,200 events logged. 

I can upload screenshots or share more information as needed.

Thanks again everyone. 

Try downloading and running the portable version of Windows Repair (All-In-One) by Tweaking.com

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/tweaking_com_windows_repair_portable.html

Thanks

Is this different than the version I've already ran?

In the old thread referenced in OP I ran this tool I think. 

Going to run it again anyhow. 

Edited by Suprlazr, 04 July 2017 - 03:24 PM.

Hello and apologies for the delay in my response.

I ran the Windows Repair (All-In-One) by Tweaking.com tool in safe mode and posted the logs below.

The problems I described in the OP persist. 

Thank you.

You can also try a non-destructive no-reformat install (aka a repair install) of Windows 7, which will alllow you to keep your programs and files.

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

You can pre-download all of the updates using the freeware tool WSUS Offline Update...

http://download.wsusoffline.net/

Good tutorial video...

https://youtu.be/aXAOvbNJYyE

However, this method will not work for OEM licenses.

To check your Product Key, download and run the free tool ShowKeyPlus...

https://github.com/Superfly-Inc/ShowKeyPlus/releases

If OEM shows in the Product ID, you do not have a retail version.

If you have an OEM license, the only option you have is a clean (from scratch) install.

You can still use WSUS Offline to pre-download Windows Updates before you do, and put it all on a USB flash drive for later use.

If you go that route, I would suggest backing up all of your personal data on to a removable media, so at least you can save that.

OEM is in the product key. 

What exactly does this mean? I think I remember purchasing my copy of Windows 7.

Regardless, it looks like my only choice is a clean install. 

Is there a nice guide on this forum on how to do that?

OEM means that Windows came pre-installed on your system from the manufacturer.

You should have received recovery disks when you bought the computer.

If you are unable to get to your personal data in Windows, I would recommend making a Linux Live CD (USB flash drive is fine), boot from that, and backup all your personal data on to a removable media.

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/31804/the-10-cleverest-ways-to-use-linux-to-fix-your-windows-pc/

See the topic Access or Backup Files from Your Dead Windows PC

Edited by jwoods301, 08 July 2017 - 04:13 PM.

See if you can uninstall apps/programs with Revo Uninstaller - https://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

Select the FREE edition.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2