Member Avatar for Michael_SB

Lenovo Y480,
Win 8.1.

Last month a Malware Bytes update started cannibalizing my system, quarantining over 600 driver files, .dlls and assorted stuff.
(Earlier part of that story here.

I tried to undo everything, and in the process uninstalled MBAM, thereby deleting the quarantined files. My system is full of holes, and won't do odd things, like recognise external USB hard drives or thumb drives. There are no system restore points prior to the problem.
This is a problem for me, because my laptop came without a system restore disc. I took the precaution of making a system restore image on a USB stick - but now the computer won't recognize the stick. It blings and registers something's being plugged in, but the drive won't show in finder.

MBAM solved the problem with an update, but despite their assertions that they want to help restore my system, they haven't done anything. The thread on this was closed on their support site, but no further support was forthcoming after they closed it. (See ).

Any help getting my device to recognize my external USB stick would be appreciated. I'm in conversation with Microsoft to see if they can send me some kind of recovery media. Will update as that conversation develops.

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Short recap and practical takeaways from this thread: had Malwarebytes quarantine hundreds of system files, lost older restore points, and the system stopped mounting an external USB stick. Recovery was ultimately achieved with the Lenovo built‑in recovery and an earlier Acronis image. Below are focused, concrete steps and cautions that would help anyone facing a similar failure.

Start with non‑destructive USB troubleshooting (blink but no mount). Check whether Windows sees the device in Disk Management and Device Manager before touching the drive:

diskmgmt.msc
devmgmt.msc

If the stick appears without a drive letter, assign one. If it shows as Unknown or has error flags, uninstall the USB Mass Storage and Host Controller entries and reboot so Windows redetects them. Test other ports/cables and another PC. If Disk Management reports RAW or unallocated, avoid initializing or formatting if data recovery is needed — use a Linux live USB or recovery tools (TestDisk/PhotoRec) to image or recover files first.

Repair the Windows install after mass quarantine. From an elevated command prompt run:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

If the system will not boot, run those tools from WinRE or bootable install media (DISM may need a matching install.wim source). Keep a forensic image of the disk before attempting repairs if important data or evidence is at stake.

About product keys and recovery media: many OEM Windows 8/8.1 systems have the product key embedded in UEFI, and clean installs often auto-activate. On a working Windows installation the key can be retrieved with:

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

OEM recovery media may still be chargeable; keeping verified recovery media and at least two separate image backups (one offsite) prevents single‑point failures.

Final notes: when an AV/quarantine affects many system files, export vendor logs and engage vendor support before deleting quarantined items — that preserves the option of programmatic restoration or whitelist fixes. Good practical tips from and helped narrow options, and the Lenovo recovery + Acronis image used by is a sensible final resort when other recovery paths fail.

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Member Avatar for Michael_SB

I pinged Microsoft, and b/c I have an OEM Windows Product ID, they can't give me media. I have to provide a product key, which didn't come with my laptop, apparently. I have to contact Lenovo to get one, which might cost me to get, since it's now out of warranty.

Member Avatar for gerbil

If MBAM staff cannot recover all your quarantined files, then I won't bother even thinking about it.
Query: can your machine recognise/load a dvd, read its files? If so, you could transfer your image files from UFD to dvd.
ImgBurn could do that.

Edited by gerbil
Member Avatar for cgeier

Did you try booting into safe mode and accessing your usb device? You could also download a boot cd/dvd and burn it to cd/dvd which you may be able to use to boot your computer and then copy/burn your files from your usb device to a dvd. Ensure your dvd drive works first. If all else fails back up your personal data. If your computer is newer, you may be able to boot from your usb device that contains your os files. You need to change the boot order so the usb device is before the hard drive (in the BIOS).

Edited by cgeier
Member Avatar for Michael_SB

Thanks guys. The USB wouldn't boot and I finally rang Lenovo. They told me even before the warranty check (which was nice, and unexpected!) that the computer has an inbuilt recovery button to wipe and reinstall the system. Once I used that I was able to reload Acronis Trueimage and then install a system image I made earlier. So, basically back to good operating. I appreciate your help!

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