Factory Restore Windows 7 Failure

[Iam_Dopey]

I’m running Windows 7 on a Sony Vaio. I had a problem with my UK IP address being changed to a USA IP address. I carried out a factory restore on my router. When this didn’t work despite having the Norton Security suite installed I carried out a factory restore on my laptop and this has caused a major problem for me. I always understood that MS would withdraw support for Win 7 in 2020, this it seems was incorrect. I am now in a position where I cannot download, Norton, IE 11 etc I keep getting error message saying it’s not possible to download. I have tried IE 8, Chrome and Firefox all with the same results. Is there any way of getting the laptop back in working order and not have to upgrade to Win10 for the crazy money they are asking?

[phillpower2]

Welcome to PCHF Iam Dopey,

Download then run Speccy (free) and post the resultant url for us, details here, this will provide us with information about your computer hardware + any software that you have installed that may explain the present issue/s.

To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:

In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.

In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.

Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.

[COLOR=rgb(44, 130, 201)]NB: Just so that you are aware, because you have also post on the malware forum this thread may need to be put on hold should you start receiving assistance from one of the security experts at your other thread, this so that we don`t interfere in their work.[/COLOR]

[Iam_Dopey]

Thanks for the reply Philpower2. I tried downloading Speccy using IE8, Firefox and Chrome. It is impossible to download anything with any of the browsers. This is the error message from Chrome SSL connection error, unable to secure a connection to the server. This may be a problem with the server or it may be requiring a client authentication certificate you don’t have have. IE 8 just says I have to upgrade to IE 11 but even this won’t download. Same for Firefox its impossible to download anything.

[phillpower2]

Not helpful

Do you happen to know of there is any anti virus software running on the computer, if you did a factory restore of what is on the recovery partition there could be trial versions of AVs running.

[Iam_Dopey]

Had to Download Speccy to USB on another laptop and used the USB to install Speccy on laptop Hope the URL is correct had to copy manually http://speccy.piriform.com/results/2...QgznVjc3mjkVu1

[Iam_Dopey]

a free trial of Macafee was included this was deleted ready to download Norton. All I have running is Windows Defender and the firewall all I have is a a bare copy of Windows7 I haven’t installed any other software

[phillpower2]

Speccy link does not work I1m afraid

all I have is a a bare copy of Windows7

Sorry but a bit confused as you said “I carried out a factory restore on my laptop” which implies that you used a recovery partition on the Sony notebook hard drive.

How exactly did you do the factory restore that you refer to.

[phillpower2]

Odd that you have used the same recovery partition on the HDD before and not got this problem, can I ask why you think it could be malware related if you have not downloaded and installed anything.

[Iam_Dopey]

I have copied the url link over so hopefully this will work http://speccy.piriform.com/results/3...3vUo7dGrTO5eE1
Regarding my UK IP address being changed to the USA. I have checked and as I do not have a static IP address mu router would be issued with a new IP address every time I reset the router. We have 2 laptops that we use regularly. One of these is my daughters work laptop which is locked down tight, there is my Vaio, 2 iPads and 3 iPhones, + smart TV and box. I am going to turn off and reset my router and check with my iPad if the problem persists. I will come back later with an update. Finally apologies for the double post, the help I am receiving from you is really appreciated. A quick edit, I had installed Winscribe VPN, it was recommended on the restore privacy site, I deleted it last week.

[phillpower2]

Thanks for persevering to get the Speccy url for us (y)

I would suggest that you try and get Windows 7 fully up to date, Speccy shows that your system restore image is for Windows 7 only, most if not all of your problems should be able to be resolved once you have Windows 7 SP1 installed, see the full info here

[Iam_Dopey]

Thanks @phillpower2 I have already updated to SP1 but still have the problem. I am away from home at the moment (it’s that time of year, grandkids Christmas concerts) so will check again when I get home later this pm

[phillpower2]

I have already updated to SP1 but still have the problem.

Pain I know but run Speccy again now that SP1 is installed then post a new url for us if you will

[Iam_Dopey]

No problem i will upload the link later, just need to grab my daughters laptop so I can upload

[phillpower2]

(y)

[Iam_Dopey]

As requested here is the new Speccy link. As it’s the weekend no need to rush, again I can’t thank you guys enough for your help http://speccy.piriform.com/results/h...4pPsuZZCN8BvB0