(Like many of my technology postings, this is really here for my own notes on problems I run into, the solutions I try and what works when. They are updated as I learn.)
I'm gonna get me a degree in Microsoft Error Codes.
So it seems that error code 0x80070643 is a general error code so what work here might not work for everything.
Oh look at that! I ran the Windows Update Diagnostic, ignored "Potential Database Corruption" and reran the Updates. Worked.
Solved! (for now)
(Like many of my technology postings, this is really here for my own notes on problems I run into, the solutions I try and what works when. They are updated as I learn.)
Had a patron bring their laptop in. They had encountered some ransomeware and called the number. They had given the scammers their credit card number and let them remotely into their computer. The patron was jazzed because they were never charged. But the computer was slow and they suspected it was compromised.
Well… there was a a phone number (SK-1-844-307-1727) embedded in their task bar and further conversation revealed that the patron had called the number subsequently for help with passwords. This sounded bad. To make matters weirder, the laptop had been running Windows 7 until Monday night, when it installed Windows 10. They brought in laptop in on Tuesday.
Malwarebytes found nothing.
Adware remover found nothing.
There was a whole bunch of Windows updates not going through. I went into services and restarrted the Update Service.
Rkill found nothing.
Searching online for the phone number you get a number of sites that "walk you through" how to remove it. Always the same bullshit where they direct you to Task Manager to "stop the malicious program" and show how to "remove malicious programs" will no further info on what the malicious programs are named and screenshots of stopiing and removing programs like Firefox. OR they recommend buying Spyhunter 4. So we know were Spyhunter 4 makes their money.
Tried the old JRT. Nothing found.
SUPERAntiSpyware found over 200 hundred trackers and an extension in Internet Explorer that might be part of the problem. Clever, since I would not have thought to look at IE since the upgrade.
Ran a free trial of HitmanPro. That found a couple of dozen of problems.
But the phone number is still on the Task Bar.
I had tried right-clicking on the Task Bar before and finding how to remove the number. This time, after running HitmanPro, I was able find the number under Toolbars and remove it.
(Like many of my technology postings, this is really here for my own notes on problems I run into, the solutions I try and what works when. They are updated as I learn.)
I just can't seem to remember this so I need to post it.
Make the flyer/handbill as a full page in Word. File ==> Print. Under Print All Pages type "1,1,1,1". Last setting change to "4 page per sheet".
Frustrating problem.
Downloaded Windows 10 installation media onto a USB. It fits on a 8GB USB but no smaller.
I got "Update was not successful, removing updates"
Repeat 1-4 above
5. Click on command Prompt.
6. Type these following commands and hit enter after each line of command:
Bootrec /fixmbr
Bootrec /fixboot
Bootrec /scanos
Bootrec /rebuildbcd
The /fixboot command told me access denied. Finished up the commands anyway and exited. Continued to Windows 10. "Update was not successful, removing updates"
Repeat 1-4 above
tried a System Restore. Still Reboot Loop, except this time when I attempt another System Restore it tells me I have to select an operating system. There is no option to do that and only one operating system. I am told I can not re-install windows without starting it first. (I can't start it because of the reboot loop).
Went back in to Command Prompt and followed these steps.
Interestingly the only Windows Installation found on the computer is on the E: drive? Oh, that would be the USB with the installation media.
Unfortunately, I realized this after starting a "chkdsk E: /f"
Afterwards I typed: Diskpart
List disk (Note which disk is your Boot drive number mine is 0)
Sel disk 0
List vol Here I looked for a drive with the original OS. There was none.
Ugh. I'm going to reformat the hard drive and start over.