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Thread ID: 148174 2019-08-28 01:37:00 Windows 10/computer problems. katharinem (3459) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1463320 2019-08-28 01:37:00 Husband's computer with Windows 10 OS/Firefox ...Previous couple of days he had been browsing a variety of topics and searching for movie downloads. He noticed Defender icon missing from Task bar. Went to settings/Security; clicked on Security and after a few seconds he was returned to Welcome page. Asked for password - clicked "Forgot Password" he was returned to the Welcome page this time with only Time and Date showing. Have tried CTRL + ALT + Del. Welcome page with name and password box. Again chose 'Forgot my Password.' Showed "Just a moment..." then back to only Time and Date showing. When he still had access to the computer he looked for System Restore but when he clicked on Settings/Security etc, it returned to the Welcome page. He cannot access anything, no taskbar, start button, desktop page. We feel the problem is with Defender probably having been compromised. The computer had been completely unplugged for a couple of weeks while we were on holiday but wifi was still connected. Stuck with a useless computer and would appreciate help! Thanks. katharinem (3459)
1463321 2019-08-28 02:27:00 ...... and searching for movie downloads. .

say no more .

Possibly infected with malware.
When its in the state you described, it may not be a simple fix easily described here
Not very helpfull I know. :badpc:

If you can get into the advanced startup mode, you'll have some repair/reset options . You may still be required to enter a password
www.lifewire.com
1101 (13337)
1463322 2019-08-28 02:43:00 Have you got an external backup of the computer? If you have you could restore the system from it. Bryan (147)
1463323 2019-08-28 04:23:00 Thanks. We thought as much...luckily all files etc are backed up and I think we may have access to an external backup of the computer. Haven't been here on the forum for a while but as always, there is someone here to help! katharinem (3459)
1463324 2019-08-28 04:35:00 I suggest you forget Defender and buy NOD32 to use in future. piroska (17583)
1463325 2019-08-28 04:48:00 Those movie sites unless you have a real good AV are dangerous, as its been suggested you may very well have malware. Nod32 goes nuts on some of them, detecting all sorts of nasties.

Two options – Try starting in safe mode then cleanout the malware or try a system restore to wind the computer back. Depending on what sort of infection (assuming it is) it "may" go along for the ride on a system restore.

Since it wont boot fully- try this. Make sure the computer is OFF- press the power button to start, the moment you see the blue windows Icon Press and hold in the power button to crash it, untill its shut down, repeat a couple more times, on the 3rd go it should come up with Preparing Automatic Repair, let it run through, Select Advanced, then Troubleshoot, Advanced Options.

From there you can select System restore or Startup Settings, if you select restore follow prompts to wind it back to a available date, if startup, click it, then click restart,you’ll get the options select Number 4 – Safe mode, see if it boots into that, of course IF you do have a password you’ll need to enter it when asked, If Not then the system has been hijacked and you’ll need to remove it ( more on that if required).

Edited: heres what nod32 does when you try to access those infected sites, its a VERY popular movie site , and obviously I'm not going to say which one ;)

9900 9901
wainuitech (129)
1463326 2019-08-28 06:43:00 Thanks. He has been finding movies for quite a few years and this is the first ever inkling of a problem. One too many obviously. Has always kept excellent "barriers" in place and kept malware etc updated. Obviously not good enough. We'll try your solution and definitely follow your advice about nod32. katharinem (3459)
1463327 2019-08-28 09:21:00 Used Kaspersky Rescue Disk a few times over the years with un bootable comps,write image to DVD and run(open DVD tray slip in DVD then close down) Now restart and will open on the Kaspersky screen and run scan

support.kaspersky.com
Lawrence (2987)
1463328 2019-08-28 22:02:00 Thanks. He has been finding movies for quite a few years and this is the first ever inkling of a problem. One too many obviously. Has always kept excellent "barriers" in place and kept malware etc updated. Obviously not good enough. We'll try your solution and definitely follow your advice about nod32.

Also the possibility that may not have been the cause, it may just be massive Windows corruption .
Either way , it wont be an easy "fix".

Often quicker to wipe & reload than attempt to fix and be left with a PC thats still not 100%

NOD32 , or any AV is far from perfect. Malware can still get past it. Its only a matter of time with those sort of sites .
Nod will help block malware infected websites though.
You'll also need Browser popup blockers , as well as uBlock or similar.
1101 (13337)
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