Windows 10 Task Bar

[jc007]

I cannot launch from the task bar the windows, search, however can launch programs like Thunderbird, Firefox etc. Also calendar will not show the month just the time. I have tried all the steps that are out in never land Windows Explorer, run, Windows power shell (admin) and still no luck. I even went to my backup and ran a date that was prior to when I suspected this.

If I try to launch windows to see all the programs, it will show a rotating blue circle for about 1 second then just stop (no results) The net tells me that if the steps did not solve the problem I would have to re-install windows, NOWAY. I may be short on experience/knowledge, but stupid I'm not.

Here is the bottom line HELP HELP HELP

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @jc007

 

Please do the following so that we can get started and see what's going on.

The Farbar Recovery Scan Tool is a free Windows utility designed to create troubleshooting logs for your computer. These logs help our Support team to identify and resolve issues with your computer.

There are two versions of the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool available for download: 32-bit and 64-bit.
To find which operating system is installed on your computer, refer to Microsoft's article: 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: Frequently asked questions

Download and launch Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

1. Download the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
   Do not click on any Ads.
    
2. Locate the file you downloaded on your computer.
   Downloaded files are often saved to the Downloads folder.
    
3. Double-click the downloaded file to run the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool.
   
   
    
4. A Windows protected your PC notification may appear. This notification is from the Windows Defender SmartScreen Filter which prevents unfamiliar apps from running on your PC.
   Disable smart screen ONLY if it interferes with software we may have to use:  What is SmartScreen and how can it help protect me?
   
        a.  Click More info.
   
   
        b.  Click Run anyway.
   
   
5. When the User Account Control window appears, click Yes.
   
   
   
    
6. To accept the Disclaimer of warranty, click Yes.
   
   
   
    
7. Ensure only the boxes listed below are checked
   
   

   Registry  Services  Drivers
   Processes  Internet  One month
   Addition.txt
   
   
   
    

8. Disable any Antivirus software you have installed ONLY if it stops software we may use from working.
   Please remember to re-enable any Antivirus software when we are finished running scans
   
   Click Scan. The scan may take a few minutes to complete.
   
   
    

9. When the scan completes, Farbar Recovery Scan Tool shows two messages:

• Scan completed. FRST.txt is saved in the same directory FRST is located.
  
  

• Addition.txt is saved in the same directory FRST is located.
  
  
   

• Click OK to close each message window

 

Please attach both of those logs on your next reply, DO NOT copy/paste the contents of the logs directly

 

 

 

 

[jc007]

I first want to say Thank You for the fast response.

I followed your instructions and downloaded Farbar after it downloaded I tried to open, and nothing happened except for the blue circle and then nothing. I tried 3 times with the same result the browser I was using was Firefox. Then I downloaded Microsoft Edge some where that was mentioned and tried to download the tool via Edge however I got a message on the attempt to download stating it was already running???

The log files are attached!

Thank you

Joe CiardoFRST_11-11-2021 22.37.11.txt

Addition_11-11-2021 22.37.11.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @jc007

Please go to Control Panel, Programs, Programs and Features and uninstall the following programs

 

Bonjour
Driver Booster 7
IObit Malware Fighter 8
 

 

Then restart the computer and exit out of Malwarebytes from the Task Tray and open Bitdefender and check for updates. Then do a Full System Scan and let me know if it finds any infections or not.

 

Thanks

 

[jc007]

I did as you requested and have attached screen shots of the log. While I know little to nothing of computers for what it's worth nothing has changed! I am sure you have software that can enlarge the attachments, also the log showed it resolved 4 items.

Regards Joe

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you @jc007

Well, it looks like Bitdefender did delete some items.

Please Temporarily disable Bitdefender real-time protection and run the following for me

 

C:\Users\Joe & Janice  Ciardo\Downloads\FRST64.exe

 

 

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to your Downloads folder:  C:\Users\Joe & Janice  Ciardo\Downloads
NOTE. It's important that both files, FRST64.exe, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

Please make sure you disable any real-time antivirus or security software before running this script. Once completed, make sure you re-enable it.

NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system that cannot be undone.

Run C:\Users\Joe & Janice  Ciardo\Downloads\FRST64.exe and press the Fix button just once and wait.
If the tool needs a restart please make sure you let the system restart normally and let the tool complete its run after restart.
The tool will make a log in the same folder you ran Farbar program from:  C:\Users\Joe & Janice  Ciardo\Downloads\  (Fixlog.txt) . Please attach or post it to your next reply.

Note: If the tool warned you about an outdated version please download and run the updated version.

NOTE-1:  This fix will run a scan to check that all Microsoft operating system files are valid and not corrupt and attempt to correct any invalid files. It will also run a disk check on the restart to ensure disk integrity. Depending on the speed of your computer this fix may take 30 minutes or more.

NOTE-2: As part of this fix all temporary files will be removed. If you have any open web pages that have not been bookmarked please make sure you bookmark them now as all open applications will be automatically closed. Also, make sure you know the passwords for all websites as cookies will also be removed. The use of an external password manager is highly recommended instead of using your browser to store passwords.

NOTE-3: As part of this fix it will also reset the network to default settings including the firewall. If you have custom firewall rules you need to save please export or save them first before running this fix.

The following directories are emptied:

• Windows Temp
• Users Temp folders
• Edge, IE, FF, Chrome, and Opera caches, HTML5 storages, Cookies and History
• Recently opened files cache
• Flash Player cache
• Java cache
• Steam HTML cache
• Explorer thumbnail and icon cache
• BITS transfer queue (qmgr*.dat files)
• Recycle Bin

Important: items are permanently deleted. They are not moved to quarantine. If you have any questions or concerns please ask before running this fix.

The system will be rebooted after the fix has run.

fixlist.txt

Thanks

 

[jc007]

Good morning!

I have run via your instructions and attached the file you requested. Everything went as you described and after the reboot I tried the following with all having the same result. The blue circle looks like it trying to launch but then ends.,

Taskbar: Windows, search, calendar, time, Chrome, notices.

One last note would it be of any value for you to granted remote privilege for my computer?

I really do apologize for being a pain in the you know where; the help you are providing is over the top!🧑‍🔧

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the log @jc007

We don't normally provide remote assistance as most issues can typically be resolved by taking out time here on the forums and providing instructions to allow you to fix the computer. In the end it's also often a great learning experience for many.

 

It looks like one of the entries got written wrong or confused in the environment commands and it did not complete.

Please try the following updated FIXLIST.TXT file. Download it as before and run Farbar and click on the FIX button. Once completed the computer should restart and then find and post back the new FIXLOG.TXT file.

fixlist.txt

 

Thank you

[jc007]

Here's your log.

Fixlog.txt

[jc007]

Follow-up

Nothing changed still having the same problems!

Regards jc

[AdvancedSetup]

Okay, something more is going on here. Let's check a few other things. Normal commands are not running so something else is wrong on the system.

Can you click on Start / Search and type if CMD.EXE does it show on the menu? If so right-click and select "Run as administrator" and type in the following command and press the Enter key. Let me know the results please

SFC  /SCANNOW 

 

[jc007]

Ran SFC  /SCANNOW THIS IS WHAT CAME UP??????????

SFC  /SCANNOW 

[AdvancedSetup]

I've sent you a Private Message @jc007

Please reply to that message

Thanks

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you. I've replied in your Private Message, but I'll post here as well. Only run the scan once. I'm only posting here for reference so we can continue.

 

 

Microsoft Safety Scanner

Please make sure you Exit out of any other program you might have open so that the sole task is to run the following scan.   
That goes especially for web browsers, make sure all are fully exited out of and messenger programs are exited and closed as well
 

STEP 1

Please set File Explorer to SHOW ALL folders, all files, including hidden ones.  Use OPTION ONE or TWO of this article

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7078-turn-off-show-all-folders-windows-10-navigation-pane.html

STEP 2

I suggest a new scan for viruses & other malware. This may take several hours, depending on the number of files on the system and the speed of the computer.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free Microsoft stand-alone virus scanner that can be used to scan for & remove malware or potentially unwanted software from a system. 

The download links & the how-to-run-the tool are at this link at Microsoft 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/intelligence/safety-scanner-download

 

Look on the Scan Options & select the FULL scan.

Then start the scan. Have lots of patience. It may take several hours.

• Once you see it has started, take a long long break;  walk away.  Do not pay credence if you see some intermediate early flash messages on the screen display.  The only things that count are the End result at the end of the run.
• The scan will take several hours.  Leave it alone. It will remove any other remaining threats as it goes along.  Take a very long break, do your normal personal errands .....just do not use the computer during this scan.

This is likely to run for many hours as previously mentioned  ( depending on the number of files on your machine & the speed of the hardware.)

The log is named MSERT.log  and the log will be at C:\Windows\debug\msert.log

Please attach that log with your next reply.

Thank you

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Due to the lack of feedback, this topic is closed to prevent others from posting here.

If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this topic with your request.

This applies only to the originator of this topic. Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread.

Tips to help protect from infection

Thanks