remove need for password at start

M

mike25

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Joined
Oct 27, 2013
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13
Windows 7 home. I was caught by a very plausible fishing attempt but aborted when asked for bank details. I spent ages running various scans to remove malware and all seemed to be well, but on bootup i got the message "this computer require a pssword". There is a facility in the BIOS to change the password and I could just enter 000, but I do not want to use a password and it also may not be where the password resides, thus making things worse. I have a Macrium image 3 months old and a backup of files a week old, but I would rather recover the computer as it was yesterday. Any guidance please?
 
Is this Windows that requires a password or the BIOS?
 
I switch on, a sceen advertising the video card comes up as usual, the screen goes blank for a while, then the message about the password displays in a small box in the middle of a blank screen. At no time is there an indication that windows 7 is starting to load.
 
I thought it would be something like that.
As soon as he mentioned the BIOS appearing then no Windows, it would be some kind of malware, cryptolocker style.
 
Hi, Mike. Welcome to Sysnative.

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool from a working computer and save it to a flash drive.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them. Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

  • Download FRST to a USB flash drive.
  • Download FRST64 to a USB flash drive.
  • Plug the USB drive into the infected machine.

Boot your computer into Recovery Environment

  • Restart the computer and press F8 repeatedly until the Advanced Options Menu appears.
  • Select Repair your computer.
  • Select Language and click Next
  • Enter password (if necessary) and click OK, you should now see the screen below ...

W7InstallDisk2.png


  • Select the Command Prompt option.
  • A command window will open.
    • Type notepad then hit Enter.
    • Notepad will open.
      • Click File > Open then select Computer.
      • Note down the drive letter for your USB Drive.
      • Close Notepad.
  • Back in the command window ....
    • Type e:/frst.exe and hit Enter (where e: is replaced by the drive letter for your USB drive)
    • Type e:/frst64.exe and hit Enter (where e: is replaced by the drive letter for your USB drive)
    • FRST will start to run.
      • When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
      • Press Scan button.
      • When finished scanning it will make a log FRST.txt on the flash drive.
  • Close the command window.
  • Boot back into normal mode and post me the FRST.txt log please.
 
Failure. I downloaded the program and inserted the usb stick into the computer, switched on and pressed F8 repeatedly. Eventually a DOS type screen appeared with a list of options - I selected repair your computer, selected language (changed to UK), then clicked on next. The screen you illustrated did not appear - just a box with Startup Repair as the only option. I repeated the procedure a couple of time each with the same result. I let it start the repair but aborted as it would take several hours. I tried again selecting safe mode with command prompt, but was asked for the password, which of course I do not have, so I was unable to run the FARBAR recovery tool. I tried the find last good configuration option but got the message that it would not work. The installation is windows 7 home, installed from an OEM disk, which might be the problem - the disk will only install the operating system, it does not have a repair option. I hope to borrow a full windows 7 home disk this weekend.
 
I am afraid that nothing worked, so I eventually used a 3 month old Macrium image and 1 week old My Documents etc. backup held on an external drive. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.
 
I'm sorry, Mike. I've been in and out the past couple days so hadn't gotten back to you with a possible suggestion. The point now is to ensure it doesn't happen again. If you must use Java, be sure it is the latest version and fully updated. The same goes for Adobe products, particularly Adobe Flash Player. And, of course, email from someone you don't know.
 
Corrine said:
I'm sorry, Mike. I've been in and out the past couple days so hadn't gotten back to you with a possible suggestion. The point now is to ensure it doesn't happen again. If you must use Java, be sure it is the latest version and fully updated. The same goes for Adobe products, particularly Adobe Flash Player. And, of course, email from someone you don't know.
Click to expand...


Thanks - I removed Java and Adobe Flash Player some time ago, without apparently any problems. Getting the computer back working again took a long time but all is now well. The scammer knew my name, address, telephone number and ISP account number as proof of being genuine, but he apparently would have got that information from my computer - I hope I shall not be caught again, although it did not cost me.
 
After you've made sure all security updates are installed, as an extra precaution, if you do any online banking, credit card purchases, bill paying, I suggest you change passwords for those sides.
 
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