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Windows 10 crash - now exe files, start button not working. Suggestions?

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  • 28-02-2018 4:26pm
    #1
    pathogan2008
    Registered Users Posts: 109 ✭✭


    A few weeks ago my Windows 10 PC crashed. BSOD.
    It hasn't been the same since.

    An error appears just after Windows loads: "C:\Windows\System32\Windows.System.Diagnostics.PlatformTelemetryClient.dll is
    either not designed to run on windows or it contains an error etc...."
    (see 1ps.jpg attached)

    Also, weirdly, when you press the windows button on the screen or keyboard, no programs are shown
    (see 5ps.jpg)

    I can't run programs like Word, or most of the other programs I've installed. VLC and Firefox still work oddly - maybe its just x86

    I can't install or run CC Cleaner or simlar programs
    PC doesn't want to start up in safe mode.

    I don't think it' a physical hard disk problem.
    I don't think it's a virus problem.

    I think the registry has corrupted itself.
    Any suggestions on how to fix?

    Thanks


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    #2
    Spear
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 25,306 CMod ✭✭✭✭Spear


    Well, that's something new.

    Can you get to a command prompt at least? Have you tried running "sfc /scannow" to see if anything of the OS files is repairable?


  • Options
    #3
    harleyb
    Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭harleyb


    Dude, you need to check your system on viruses


  • Options
    #4
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,016 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    Had something similar recently, I had to restore a registry backup on a Windows machine and start button didn't work. What fixed it was to create a new user account (can use command prompt as shown here: https://www.lifewire.com/net-user-command-2618097).
    e.g: 'net user newuser pass /add'

    Switch users, and login to Windows with user: 'newuser' and password 'pass'
    I don't know what it does behind the scenes but think it regenerates UI framework. Then you can log back in to your existing user and hopefully it will be fixed.

    For the EXE issue see this: https://windowsreport.com/exe-files-not-opening-windows-10/

    And yes run a complete virus/malware scan. You may consider formatting it after backing up and start fresh

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • Options
    #5
    pathogan2008
    Registered Users Posts: 109 ✭✭pathogan2008


    OK, thanks for all the help so far.
    Tried a few suggestions and figured out a few things.

    First of all, I successfully cloned the drive to another physically "known good" drive, so I can mess with the software on this clone without worrying.

    I got the PC to go into safe mode by holding down left shift key, right clicking start button (as left click doesn't work!!!) -> Shut down or restart -> restart

    ”System Restore” - no restore points have been created on your computer’s system drive.
    “System image image recovery” - Windows cannot find a system image on this computer.
    “Startup Repair” - Startup repair couldn’t repair your pc.

    Got to the command prompt
    "sfc /scannow" completes with no errors reported

    I tried to create a different user account, but get the error
    "the user was successfully created but could not be added to the USERS local group

    Ran regedit and saw something weird.
    The program files directories are shown as the X:\ drive
    Sure enough, so is command prompt X:\Windows\System32
    see attached photo.

    Like most people - this should be my C:\ drive.
    I have no idea how this happened. Malware perhaps - or just Something that Windows 10 has done to itself.

    Either way, has anyone experienced this or know of a way to fix it?


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    #6
    pathogan2008
    Registered Users Posts: 109 ✭✭pathogan2008


    Can anyone suggest a good Windows 10 forum that I could post this issue?
    I'd be confident that it has come up before, and hopefully there's a workaround?

    I just need to open an few programs one last time to generate and save down some data, before I wipe the machine and install a clean OS on a new SSD

    Suggestions?
    PH


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  • Options
    #7
    pathogan2008
    Registered Users Posts: 109 ✭✭pathogan2008


    any suggestions?


  • Options
    #8
    Xterminator
    Registered Users Posts: 4,739 ✭✭✭Xterminator


    Hi Op

    I'd do 1 of 2 things here to backup your data.

    1 - if you can download a tool called hyrens cd or similar you can boot to mini windows which will allow you to copy off files to a usb stick.
    alternatively you can boot off a linux distro on a usb stick and do the same.

    im pretty sure you will need to get access to another pc to facilitate this, or have a helpful mate.

    2. if you can get a drive caddy, you can simply remove your hdd from your computer, and hook up the hdd in a caddy and copy off your files to another pc.

    Both are 'advanced' options and reflect the trouble you find yourself in.


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