windows vista anyone?

tifosi · Sep 17, 2013

Anyone here using Windows (bag o shite) Vista?

Managed to get a zeroaccess rootkit on my laptop which was a bitch to remove, but in the process has corrupted the windows defender files.

As a last resort before I dump vista finally- and I've tried everythng available to get it sorted, it's been suggested I copy over the Windows defender files from a working version.

So if anyone out there can zip up their program files > windows defender files and send them to me at [email protected] I'd be grateful.

You may have to turn defender off first before copying them.

Thanks

Stephen

chrisduggan · Sep 17, 2013

does windows security essentials work as it includes replacement for the old Windows Defender?

tifosi · Sep 17, 2013

Looked at that, but it would need me to remove the avg internet suite that I've got. Prefer to see if I can replace the files and make the internal windows defender links work again.

Thanks

Edwin · Sep 17, 2013

What about using the "repair" function? I don't have Vista, but it's talked about in detail here...
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/

Also, these links might help:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/218830-windows-defender-fix-unable-turn.html
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/do-reinstall-windows-defender-t3344825.html

Good luck!

AssetDomains · Sep 17, 2013

Sounds like you have been compromised by a pretty sophisticated attack I'd back personal documents and start afresh. You could spend hours trying to sort this out and there is no guarantee they haven't compromised other programmes your unaware of

anthony · Sep 17, 2013

AssetDomains said:
Sounds like you have been compromised by a pretty sophisticated attack I'd back personal documents and start afresh. You could spend hours trying to sort this out and there is no guarantee they haven't compromised other programmes your unaware of

I agree with this. To be honest, Vista was shite, move to 7 at least, you can still get hold of it.

tifosi · Sep 17, 2013

Problem with this is that I've got the infection sorted - using the link that edwin mentioned which I found yesterday. It zapped it all fine though it took about 6hrs to do it all!

Problem was part of the process was to rename the windows defender folder to stop fake virus messages then revert it before doing the zapping. But forgot to rename it first, so everything is zapped but the process has screwed with how vista see the windows defender files. Service won't start because is can't see the files properly. Probably somewhere vista has invalid links but sorting it may be a lost cause!

Replacing the WD folder is the last resort someone else used to sort it.

For now I've moved the folder to disable it, not ideal but malwarebytes is running in the background instead along with AVG.

Laptop is dev machine crammed to the gills so starting again would be with a new machine and not vista and turning this one into a linux clone.

Damn windows to hell!!

Just a last resort to see if the file replacement works, so if anyone can help!?

AssetDomains · Sep 17, 2013

I probably have a vista install disk knocking around not sure the files you need would be accessible on it though I think they pack a lot of stuff up

tifosi · Sep 17, 2013

AssetDomains said:
I probably have a vista install disk knocking around not sure the files you need would be accessible on it though I think they pack a lot of stuff up

No, would actually need the c:/program files/windows defender folder zipped up.

Thanks.

May just be a 'sign' that it's time to move to 7/8. Which to use? 7 or 8. 8 seems to have issues for standard laptops.

Clearing down the machine gonna be a bitch. Prefer to do it at my own pace!

chrisduggan · Sep 17, 2013

If you bare with me I have a handful of desktops most are XP but I know one is vista ultimate, I will have a look later this afternoon.

AssetDomains · Sep 17, 2013

tifosi said:
No, would actually need the c:/program files/windows defender folder zipped up.

Thanks.

May just be a 'sign' that it's time to move to 7/8.

Clearing down the machine gonna be a bitch. Prefer to do it at my own pace!

Think I have you sorted just plugged in a old old 2.5 drive from a vista laptop

AssetDomains · Sep 17, 2013

Give this a go www.Anthonyifon.co.uk/Windows-Defender.zip
Had to put a dash in the filename for the url remember to take it out

tifosi · Sep 17, 2013

AssetDomains said:
Give this a go www.Anthonyifon.co.uk/Windows-Defender.zip
Had to put a dash in the filename for the url remember to take it out

Thanks. Seems to have sorted it. Weird, must be the way windows deals with file/directory nodes. Was showing the files there but not accessible. Replacing them with new ones seems to have done it.

Still, it's a sign to ditch Vista.

Maybe turn the thread into a which to chose from? Had a look at downloading a windows 7 iso (legitimate one!) and buying an activation key. Which to chose professional or ultimate?

AssetDomains · Sep 17, 2013

There about to fix widows 8 mid October might be worth looking at that. When I upgraded with the compatibility checker tool from the website was a lot cheaper than retail stores for the licence. Think that might have been an opening offer though