So i've had some great advice here previously on how to deal with malware, but it seems to come back bearing a grudge. Basically, I'm unable to click links from any webpage, not just search engines -- or it will bring me to a spam page. Which makes looking for information on the internet rather difficult, hence this topic.

Last time it took a simple blast with Malware Bytes to remove the malware issues I was having, 2nd time not so lucky, I got a message saying access denied -- so I re-installed and got the same message after the initial scan. I've also tried Avast, AVG, Microsoft essential security and a number of others, but all get this message. I tried in safemode, but my computer locked up halfway through booting the core systems and wouldn't continue the start up process.

I'm not sure what I should do now, I really dont want to re-format since I have absolutely no idea where my Vista install disk is, I've had the laptop for nearly 3 years now so I'd be suprised if I could find it. The other option of a system restore is moot too, since the earliest system restore point i can see is from only a week ago, long after i started having problems with malware and such.

So, advice anybody? Can I get my laptop up to operating standards without a windows install disk or will this require a full re-format. I've tried to do some research online but again, at this point it's impossible. 90% of search results dont even show links to copy and past and even youtube videos are re-directed.

Much appreciated.

Try restarting your computer in safe mode and running a full scan from there.

I have successfully removed browser hijacks with System Restore, but you don't want to go back to another malware issue, so be careful how far back you go.

And, yes, you will have to run a full set of scans for various malware removers in Safe Mode. I have also had to run scans on some people's machines multiple times to get it all.

Big issue is, I can't get onto safemode -- something seems to be stopping it. I think the windows installer is also damaged, which could be why all the anti-virus software i've installed has failed. But that wouldnt explain why everything else i've installed has worked.

Not sure what you can do here, but if all else fails, you can try restoring to factory defaults (if you can).

I don't think I could ever trust an OS after it's been infected. Would just wipe and reinstall (of course in my case this is simple since I do quarterly images of my system partition)

You're going to need to reinstall Windows entirely.

CTRL + ALT + DEL and see what processes are running. Identify any that look suspicious, locate, and remove them.

Didn't read ahead far enough!

If you can't get it into Safe Mode, you may be out of luck.

Pretty much the same news all around, I knew it would need a full re-install and i'd been planning to before it even got infected, but no re-install disk. infact, I dont even remember if it came with an install disk or not. My step dad says he didn't need to use an install disk when re-formatting his PC, but i've never done a format before so no idea.

Name of manufacturer and model number?

Usually OEMs include a factory default partition that you can boot into for the purpose of reseting the PC to factory default. It's very rare for a PC to come with install discs nowadays, instead OEMs include a tool to make your own (you probably never made your own)

i can honestly say i havent ever made my own, I'll look into it though thanks for the info.

in the mean time, since i'm sick of windows and especially vista, i'm thinking of switching to linux, specifically Zorin OS 5 -- any body used it before? Is it possible to dual boot it rather than replace vista completely, i'd rather try before I buy, so to speak.

PC Make and model number? As I mentioned, most OEMs include the option of booting directly into the recovery partition to do a factory default, that way you don't need to make your recovery CDs now (though once the recovery is over, I would highly recommend making them just to be safe).

Never used Zorin OS, but it's just yet another ubuntu respin from the looks of it, so nothing surprising about it, I'm sure. Yes you can dual-boot, the process won't be too different than this one: http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2011/05/22/how-to-dual-boot-windows-7-and-ubuntu-11-04/

TO NOTE: Windows Vista Home and Ultimate editions reach end-of-life in 2.5 months (April 10th 2012). After that day, Windows Vista Home and Ultimate editions will no longer receive security patches and updates. Using Windows without security patches is a VERY bad idea (using any OS without them is). I would highly recommend upgrading to Windows 7. If you are a student, you can get a discounted copy of Windows 7 here: http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/gb/windows/buynow/default.aspx (UK version of the deal), otherwise you will need to obtain an upgrade copy from another source.

Well, technically you don't need an install disc to reformat, but you will need it to re-install Windows. It's virtually impossible to re-install Windows when the drive is wiped clean. It's essentially a piece of metal and nothing else after that.

I'm assuming this is a pre-made computer (such as Dell or HP). If so, you should be able to contact support and order a replacement disc. It should cost you less than buying a fresh copy of Windows because those machines are designed such that you can only install the factory software on the machine. I don't think OEM copies will work.

Technically true, but a very bad idea in practice as you run the risk of doing an upgrade or repair install -- keeping the malware intact. ALWAYS format before installing.

This couldn't be more wrong. No offense, but that's just not the case at all

... Or use the recovery partition. If there's a license code printed out and legible stuck on the outside you [i]should[/u] be able to use any retail copy of Windows Vista as the same version stated on the license sticker and enter that code, and it'll activate. The recovery partition option is simpler, though.

At this point its getting so confusing i'm tempted to enroll back into college to do computer science. i'd be tempted to send it to a repair shop but they are fairly useless around here, mainly just specialies in hardware refurbs not software recovery so they have all the qualifications in system repairs that I do and charge for the priviledge. Been over on the linux forums to see if I can get any info -- the more i research into it, the more that linux feels like a good choice -- I estimate that my laptop has only about 12 months left to live before I switch to a desk top any way. my primary concern is that I use this laptop to make a living as a freelance designer, so I wont be doing a full reformat/ OS installation until i can be sure I can get it working again.


EDIT:

With linux, would it simply be a case of downloading the installer, installing and dual boot is up and running, or is the process more complex? *wishful thinking*

Download ISO, burn ISO to CD, boot off CD, enter live CD/test/try mode, make sure wifi works (since you mentioned it's a laptop), start the installer, partition hard drive, install to partition.

You should also factory default Windows Vista and create the recovery discs before setting up the dual-boot. You'll modify the MBR during the install of Linux, which can cause the ability to use the factory default partition to break.

Before factory defaulting, you need to back up your data (or you'll lose it)

Thanks DEFRON, i'll pick up some blank disks tommorow and get the process started, been a huge help

managed to get into live mode using Unet instead of a usb or disk drive (since malware has both disabled on Vista, so I found an alternative) I've decided that instead of dual booting i'm just going to get rid of windows vista and install to replace -- however, when i try this i get the following pop up:

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z10/leecarey_2007/Screenshot.png

I have no idea why this is, my laptop dwarfs the memory requirements for the installation, but again I'm still finding the terminology etc hard to follow. Anybody know how I can work around this?

The drive you have selected is'nt your hard drive, it's either a ramdisk (used by the live environment) or your flash drive. Select /dev/sda (most likely) or /dev/hda

The first time I tried it was /dev/sda with the same message, I'll try again after a reboot with HDA

Maybe Zorin is having issues formatting if that's the case. If you have an sda, you shouldn't have an HDA (HDA is for older IDE drives)

*watches some videos on Zorin OS's installer*

Try doing a "something else" install. This should allow you to specify the partitions manually. Delete all your current partitions and create a / (root) partition of 25 GBs (format ext4), a swap partition equal to your RAM size (maybe 1 or 2 GB bigger) and format the rest to /home (ext4 once again) WARNING: doing this will cause you to lose all data on your internal hard drive.

Once you figure it out, I recommend paying for an antivirus. The free onces aren't all that great.

I use ESET NOD32 5 and I recommend it. I've been using ESET for the last few years and they've always caught anything wrong. If something wrong happens, it fixes the problem and notifies you right away. It doesn't take up many resources and its really user friendly.
Theres a trial on ESET's website.

heres the drives i have to choose from http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z10/leecarey_2007/Drive.png

could you link to said video DEFRON?

If I were to guess, your problem is being caused by Unetbootin