Windows 8.1 failed to boot after an automatic update

Oops...
Files should be attached this time.
When 'ZHPDiag.exe' was run there was no anti-virus installed in the machine.
After that was run I installed Avast and ran the smart scan because I remembered it sometimes flags up registry issues, and it did this time. It said there were several but this one caught my eye.
 

Attachments

  • ZHPDiag_d20210905t1220.txt
    ZHPDiag_d20210905t1220.txt
    306.2 KB · Views: 1
  • setup_exe_properties_details.png
    setup_exe_properties_details.png
    12.4 KB · Views: 4
  • avast_broken_registry_items_d20210905t1303.png
    avast_broken_registry_items_d20210905t1303.png
    35.8 KB · Views: 4
Oops...
Files should be attached this time.
'setup_exe_properties_details.png' relates to the file 'C:\Users\Public\Downloads\Setup.exe'
When 'ZHPDiag.exe' was run there was no anti-virus installed in the machine.
After 'ZHPDiag.exe' was run I installed Avast and ran the smart scan because I remembered it sometimes flags up registry issues, and it did this time. It said there were several but this one caught my eye. Unfortunately there is no log file created by Avast for this type of scan, and it doesn't actually try to fix the registry but it does offer to sell you another Avast product that they claim will!
 

Attachments

  • setup_exe_properties_details.png
    setup_exe_properties_details.png
    12.4 KB · Views: 1
  • ZHPDiag_d20210905t1220.txt
    ZHPDiag_d20210905t1220.txt
    306.2 KB · Views: 0
  • avast_broken_registry_items_d20210905t1303.png
    avast_broken_registry_items_d20210905t1303.png
    35.8 KB · Views: 1
Sorry for the double post. Some confusion about whether it had posted whilst going from page 3 to page 4. #61 could be deleted if anyone feels that way.
 
I had a look in the registry and tried to find what Avast was reporting. But couldn't. Don't know if I was looking in the right area or not.
 

Attachments

  • Computer_HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_SOFTWARE_Microsoft_Windows_CurrentVersion_Run_d20210905t1637.png
    Computer_HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_SOFTWARE_Microsoft_Windows_CurrentVersion_Run_d20210905t1637.png
    56.3 KB · Views: 1
I had lost track of how much rubbish there was on this computer. Perhaps it's time to wipe it completely and try a fresh install of Windows.
 
Step 1:
Download ZHPFix2.exe
Disable the realtime-protection of your antivirus program is the download is blocked. This is a legitimate program.

Copy the code below:
Code: 
Script ZHPFix
SR - System [00/00/0000] [       0]   (MpKsl579d3365) . (...) - C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Definition Updates\{EEBC5CF6-6B03-4A87-A59C-AC33467C2FD1}\MpKsl579d3365.sys (.not file.) [Unsigned]
P2 - EXT FILE: (.Avira Software.) -- C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\browser\features\e10srollout@mozilla.org.xpi [Unsigned]  =>.Avira Software
P2 - EXT FILE: (.Avira Software.) -- C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\browser\features\loop@mozilla.org.xpi [Unsigned]  =>.Avira Software
P2 - EXT FILE: (.Avira Software.) -- C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\browser\features\websensehelper@mozilla.org.xpi [Unsigned]  =>.Avira Software
O4 - GS\Quicklaunch [Administrator]: Avast Secure Browser.lnk . (...) C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Browser\Application\AvastBrowser.exe --check-run=src=quicklaunch  [Unsigned]
O4 - GS\Quicklaunch [After work]: Avast Secure Browser.lnk . (...) C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Browser\Application\AvastBrowser.exe --check-run=src=quicklaunch  [Unsigned]
O4 - GS\Quicklaunch [Doug]: Avast Secure Browser.lnk . (...) C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Browser\Application\AvastBrowser.exe --check-run=src=quicklaunch  [Unsigned]
O4 - GS\Quicklaunch [Guest]: Avast Secure Browser.lnk . (...) C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Browser\Application\AvastBrowser.exe --check-run=src=quicklaunch  [Unsigned]
O4 - GS\Quicklaunch [user]: Avast Secure Browser.lnk . (...) C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Browser\Application\AvastBrowser.exe --check-run=src=quicklaunch  [Unsigned]
HKCU\Software\jZip  =>Adware.Bandoo
HKLM\SOFTWARE\POLICIES\Mozilla\Firefox  =>.SUP.FirefoxRestriction
HKLM\SOFTWARE\AVAST Software  =>.AVAST Software
HKLM\SOFTWARE\PIP  =>Toolbar.Ask
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Safer Networking Limited  =>.Safer Networking Limited
HKCU\SOFTWARE\APN PIP  =>SUP.Optional.Conduit
HKCU\SOFTWARE\AVAST Software  =>.AVAST Software
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Browser Cleanup  =>.Avast Software s.r.o
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Safer Networking Limited  =>.Safer Networking Limited
HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Avast Software  =>.AVAST Software
HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Safer Networking Limited  =>.Safer Networking Limited
HKU\S-1-5-21-449515477-2945346608-4120759084-1001\SOFTWARE\APN PIP  =>SUP.Optional.Conduit
HKU\S-1-5-21-449515477-2945346608-4120759084-1001\SOFTWARE\AVAST Software  =>.AVAST Software
HKU\S-1-5-21-449515477-2945346608-4120759084-1001\SOFTWARE\Browser Cleanup  =>.Avast Software s.r.o
HKU\S-1-5-21-449515477-2945346608-4120759084-1001\SOFTWARE\jZip  =>Adware.Bandoo
HKU\S-1-5-21-449515477-2945346608-4120759084-1001\SOFTWARE\Safer Networking Limited  =>.Safer Networking Limited
O43 - CFD: 04/09/2021 - [0] D -- C:\Program Files\AVAST Software  =>.AVAST Software
O43 - CFD: 04/09/2021 - [] D -- C:\ProgramData\Avast Software  =>.AVAST Software
O43 - CFD: 03/12/2015 - [] D -- C:\Program Files\Common Files\AV  =>.Avast
O43 - CFD: 03/11/2014 - [] D -- C:\Users\Doug\AppData\Local\AvastSupport  =>.Avast Software s.r.o
O43 - CFD: 15/02/2013 - [0] D -- C:\Users\Doug\AppData\Local\jZip
[MD5.E9692A6AD6C62525DF8611D1B084D950] [WIS][2012/12/18 21:41:27] (.Adobe Systems, Incorporated.) -- C:\WINDOWS\Installer\2c26128.msp   [17502208]  =>.SUP.Obsolete.Adobe
[MD5.A04C16EE0D8296F749952B4ED72DC565] [WIS][2013/02/15 23:42:32] (.Adobe Systems, Incorporated.) -- C:\WINDOWS\Installer\4dca5ce.msp   [1519616]  =>.SUP.Obsolete.Adobe
[MD5.4C585337E2432E1DF6DC76E9953ABE4A] [WIS][2014/01/08 13:17:23] (.Adobe Systems, Incorporated.) -- C:\WINDOWS\Installer\93c892.msp   [19824640]  =>.SUP.Obsolete.Adobe
EmptyTemp

5fe8fc8c48cd5-ZHPFix2_icon.png
Using ZHPFix2:
  • Right-click the file ZHPFix2.exe and select "Run as administrator".
  • A window like this appears:
    5fe8fa53c70ae-ZHPFix2.png
  • Click on the right site the 2nd bottom from the top "Paste a script" (see nr.1 in the screenshot above).
  • Click at the left-top the button "Start script" (see nr.2).
  • Wait until the progress-bar is filled (see nr.3) and the text "End of processing" is shown in the bar below (see nr.4).
Attach the log file %APPDATA%\ZHP\ZHPFix.txt to your next reply.

Step 2:
Update or uninstall the old version of Mozilla Firefox.

Step 3:
What are the drives F: and Y: ?
 
Anti-virus was uninstalled.

Step 1:
ZHPfix displayed a message saying it needed to reboot my computer, so I let it.
A BSOD flashed up as the computer was restarting, then it restarted again and there was another BSOD, then it went to "Preparing Automatic Repair", then "Diagnosing your PC" then blue screen with "Automatic Repair Your PC did not start correctly". I clicked Restart.
After a while of the little blue dots it BSOD'd* again, then "Preparing Automatic Repair", then "Diagnosing your PC" then blue screen with "Automatic Repair Your PC did not start correctly".
* - I took some video of the BSOD to see if there was an error code, but there wasn't. It was just "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We're just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you"

Step 2:
I updated Firefox a while ago. I checked it before doing Step 2 and it said it was up to date (Help -> About). But I'd forgotten it was not connected to the network!

Step 3:
F: is the USB drive I've been using to transfer files to this computer whilst it's not connected to the network.
Y: is a network drive that is disconnected due to not being connected to the network.
 
Last edited:
Is the machine up and running again ?
If so, attach the log file %APPDATA%\ZHP\ZHPFix.txt
 
having some difficulty with installation media, apparently. Keeps saying "The media inserted is not valid. Try again."
Creating a fresh installation USB.
 
"Refresh your PC
Insert your Windows installation or recovery media to continue
The media inserted is not valid. Try again."
I've tried the original Windows 8 Pro disc -> not valid
I've tried creating a bootable USB using 'Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool' -> not valid
I'm now using that tool and he same ISO but with a different USB memory stick

It is an ISO that I downloaded a few months ago. Maybe I selected the wrong version of English.
 
Different USB but same ISO -> not valid
I will try the International English ISO, but not today.
If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to post.
 
Sorry to here that the system fails to start.
Reviewing the fix I don't see anything what could have caused this. Maybe the log shows it when available.

Use the link below and follow instructions to create an ISO which includes a downloadlink for the mediacreationtool for Windows 8.1:
Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

Does that help to recover ?
 
Hi,

After a quite a few failed attempts at "Refresh your PC", "Start-up Repair" seems to have gotten the computer to boot. Although Avast has re-appeared? Which I could have sworn I'd uninstalled.
'ZHPFix_d20210906t2006.txt' should be attached here.
 

Attachments

Maybe the repair set back Avast also.
Leave Avast installed for now.

Open the folder C:\Program Files\Windows Defender.
Double-click the file MSASCui.exe.
Post a screenshot of the window that appears.
 
PeterJ said:
Sorry to here that the system fails to start.
Reviewing the fix I don't see anything what could have caused this. Maybe the log shows it when available.

Use the link below and follow instructions to create an ISO which includes a downloadlink for the mediacreationtool for Windows 8.1:
Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

Does that help to recover ?
Click to expand...
I'd not seen your post #74. I think I've tried that media creation tool before but there was a problem with it. Can't remember what. And that's why I ended up using the Windows 7 version and downloading the ISO from the Microsoft website.

I forgot to mention, in one of my attempts to get the PC to boot I used:
dism.exe /image:C:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions
On the basis that that worked last time I could get it to boot.
I don't know if that would have affected Avast or the repair.
 
I've just tried running 'MSASCui.exe' and it opens a Windows Defender window with the message "Your PC isn't being monitored because the application's service stopped. You should restart it now". When I click "Start now" nothing happens for a while and then I get a message that "The service couldn't be started. ... Error code 0x800705b4". I think this is the same as post #49.
I tired disabling Avast and running 'MSASCui.exe' with the same result.
 
Unless there's anything you want to try I think it's time to give up on this. I'll look at reformatting the hard drive and installing a fresh version of Windows 8.1. Thanks for looking at this.
 
If your Windows 8.1 is back up you don't need to do the repair mentioned in post #74.
Please back up all your important data as a precaution.

Download
51a5c8edc4692-icon1337952077.png
Farbar Service Scanner and save the file on your Desktop.

Right-click FSS and select "Run as administrator".
Put checkmarks at following items only:
  • Internet Services
  • Windows Firewall
  • System Restore
  • Security Center/Action Center
  • Windows Update
  • Windows Defender

Click Scan.
A log file called "FSS.TXT" will appear on your desktop when the scan is finished.
Attach this file to your next reply.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Has Sysnative Forums helped you? Please consider donating to help us support the site!

Back
Top