Can't update Windows 10 Anniversary

LAPS said:

...Thanks for all the help tonight Simrick, but I gotta hit the hay. We can finish the rest tomorrow.

Yeah, me too.

LAPS said:

Hi Simrick,
I only have one user account on the system. The error message did correct itself after the second time running but it sure seems other stuff isn't running too smooth. I had a hell of a time using gmail even getting it to open, and when it finally did it wouldn't accept me attaching a 500k file.

I just ran the WU Troubleshooter about 5-6 times hoping it would finally take. The same errors keep appearing time after time. WU Database corruption. I just ran windows update (Ethernet) and got this old message.



Also, I just got this message from windows defender. New virus. I asked my son if he downloaded anything today and he insists 100% he did not (other than updating Bluestacks, which is something I have had on our system forever). I hope its true. But either way I'm ready to just start fresh unless you think we can actually get this working. I'm definitely getting frustrated and it's not with you. I appreciate everything you have helped me with and you have been very patient. Thanks Simrick. Like I said, just tell me what to do, but I'm ready. LOL Here's the Defender message.

LAPS, I think we may have to bite the bullet on this one. BUT, just out of curiosity, and only if you're willing and have time:

• Is it possible to scroll in that Defender window and see what files it actually flagged, and, upload and scan them at virustotal.com to check for false positives?
• Can you run a FRST scan and post the logs for me to have a look? (FRST.txt and Addition.txt)

It's possible that this is a false positive; then again, it's possible that we've finally revealed something that had been well-hidden. It's also quite possible that the infection(s) on the computer dug deep enough/changed enough system files, that it's really impossible to recover. An example of this sort of condition is the Ramnit virus (which you don't have - it's just an example). Any Ramnit infection can really only be resolved by a clean install, as it just changes too many system files to fully recover.

But, it doesn't make sense to me, the problems with Gmail. You're accessing that in a browser, right, and not an email client? Which browser? Did you try resetting the browser and then trying the attachment?

Let me know.

@LAPS, When you're ready to clean install, I have instructions for completely cleaning the disk using DISKPART. Please let me know and I'll post them for you.

LAPS said:

Sorry Simrick, I will have to get to this stuff tonight. I had to do a focus group last night and I was out pretty late. I might not get to this until the weekend, but I will see how tonight pans out.

No problem/no rush. :)

LAPS said:

Ready to go.. I'm running scans again to make sure my storage drive is fully clean but I'm pretty sure it should be. I'm pumped to get this done! Thanks again bud for all your assistance!

Okay! Let's be sure we completely nuke the OS drive for the clean install, so absolutely nothing remains. Doing it this way will kill any infections that can survive a format; it will also get rid of any hidden partitions created by malware/viruses.

Diskpart “Clean All”

This writes 0s and 1s to every sector of the drive. It will kill everything. It can also take quite a while.

Disconnect all drives except the one you are installing to, so you will have only 1 drive connected to the system. It will be designated as drive 0.
Boot into the Windows installer.
The first screen is select your language - don't do it.
Hold down the shift key and press F10.
You will get a command prompt.
Type the following commands one at a time and hit enter after each, and wait for a response before typing the next command:

Code:

Diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
clean all
exit
exit

You will now be back at the select your language screen.
Continue the install as usual. Be sure to install the correct version (Home or Pro) and do not enter a key if requested.
When you get to where do you want to install windows the drive will show as unallocated.
Press the new button and the installer will create the partitions.
Then click next and the install will begin.

The clean all will take a long time. (For example, a 1TB drive can take 4-6 hours.) Just let it do its thing; it will tell you when it is finished.

Good luck!

I would make these suggestions for after this is finished and you're up and running again:

Password protect your administrative-level user account. Create a limited user account for your son. That way, anything he wants to install must pass your scrutiny and virus/malware scans first. Research the things he wants to install before installing them, as some of these game mods can be a source of infection (speaking from experience).

Make Macrium images of your OS drive on a regular basis, (once a week or so), so if something gets in, you can easily restore an image and be back in business.

Use a layered approach to protection. As an example:

Avast! (free or paid - I'd only use the 3 web shields + software updater, nothing else) or ESET NOD32 (paid)
Malwarebytes Antimalware (MBAM) (free or paid)
Malwarebytes Antiexploit (MBAE) (free or paid)
CryptoPrevent (free or paid)
SuperAntiSpyware (SAS) (free or paid)
Firefox browser as default, with Flash and Java set to Ask to Activate, WOT plugin for browsing safety, LastPass Password Manager (never save passwords in the browsers), and another plugin which shall remain unnamed (per forum rules).

The free versions of MBAM and SAS are on-demand only, and update/run when you call them. CryptoPrevent sets group policies to prevent malware from running from known places (like appdata folders) and needs to be updated manually. MBAE protects browsers from zero-day exploits.

It's a good opportunity to teach your son about internet safety and cautions when downloading/installing things. I did this myself with my son, using these methods, over the course of a year. He then began "cleaning" out all his friends' infected computers and teaching them internet safety. :)

Hope that helps!