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Asked: 2021-12-10T02:57:07+00:00 In:

Solved Avast Broke My Laptop?! Please Help!

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I must say I don’t know much about computers.
I installed Avast, the free version, just because I realised I don’t have an antivirus since I last installed windows 8. Then I realised I installed, with Avast, some 3rd party things I assume, totally my mistake.
Avast asked me to do some checking/updating (?) so it asked to restart my laptop and it’ll work before the windows user name appeared. I stared at a black screen with white text “working” for hours!
All good until I open windows, try to uninstall 3rd said parties, I didn’t know from where exactly so I uninstalled Avast. Asked me to restart laptop again after uninstalling. Laptop broke. Goes to Automatic problem fix or something like that. I tried troubleshoot and everything else possible from that screen. Can’t go into desktop!

So, I’m now thinking to install windows 8 again. My question is, is there any possibility that I won’t lose anything on my laptop? I don’t even know if I still have partitions and everything, since it won’t go to desktop. 🙁

edit: Or maybe I could install windows over windows, back up my hard drive, wipe clean and install again?

message edited by kate.z

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      Your first concern (naturally) is not to lose any personal files etc. So copy them to DVD at least and check the copies are accessible before proceeding any further after making the copies.

      Regardless of how you set about re-instalng windows (and sluc’s approach is viable) first safeguard your files as above or below).

      If you cannot boot into windows at present, then using another computer – download a free ubuntu ISO and burn it to a DVD. This is Linux based operating system. It will load itself into the RAM only – do not tell it to install itself to the hard drive. Once it boots up, to s typical desktop, you can locate your hard drive, and then copy the files to DVD that way. Again verify the copies are OK.

      ubuntu.com is where to find the ISO (a file you “burn” to a DVD – not simply copy it).

      Once your personal files are safely copied to DVD then you can set about rebuilding the system. There are a few options in that regard too… But “first” ensure your files are safe “off” the system as is.

      You download the basic Ubuntu desktop version.

      Again – before you actually set about re-installing windows – ensure you have copied your files to DVD at least.

      You might be able to gain access to your windows system via safe-mode:

      http://www.howtogeek.com/107511/how…

      This would allow you to access and copy files without using ubuntu.

      And this M$ article describes various options that may apply in your current situation.

      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/…

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