Diagnosing computer issues remotely, especially potential virus infections, is challenging without direct access to the affected system. To simplify this process and ensure effective troubleshooting, the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) acts as an essential intermediary. Unlike antivirus software, FRST is a diagnostic tool designed to scan your system and generate comprehensive reports detailing its current state. This guide will walk you through how to use FRST to create these vital logs for expert analysis.
Step-by-Step Guide to Scanning with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
To begin, you need to download the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool from a trusted source.
-
Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool: Navigate to the official download page for Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save the tool to your Desktop for easy access.
Note: FRST is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. If you are unsure about your system architecture, download both versions. Only the version compatible with your system will run.
-
Run as Administrator: Locate the FRST icon on your Desktop. Right-click on the icon, and from the context menu, select “Run as Administrator”. This is crucial to ensure FRST has the necessary permissions to perform a thorough system scan.
-
Grant Permissions: A User Account Control (UAC) prompt may appear asking for permission to run the application. Click “Yes” to proceed.
-
Configure Scan Settings: The Farbar Recovery Scan Tool interface will appear. Ensure that the “Addition.txt” box is checked. This option is essential as it instructs FRST to generate a second log file containing additional system information, which is often vital for a complete analysis.
Farbar Recovery Scan Tool with Addition.txt checked -
Initiate the Scan: Click the “Scan” button to begin the system scan process. FRST will now analyze your computer’s system files, registry, and other critical areas to gather diagnostic information.
-
Locate the Log Files: Once the scan is complete, FRST will generate two log files, FRST.txt and Addition.txt. These files will be saved in the same location as the FRST tool, which, if you followed the instructions, should be on your Desktop.
Uploading FRST Logs for Analysis
After performing the scan, the next step is to upload these log files so they can be reviewed by someone who can help diagnose your computer issues. Since direct file uploads are not always feasible on forums or help platforms, we will use a file-sharing service.
-
Access Sendspace: Open your web browser and go to Sendspace. Sendspace is a free file hosting service that allows you to easily upload and share files.
-
Upload Log Files: On the Sendspace website, you can upload files by either clicking the “Browse” button to select the files from your computer or by using the drag and drop method, dragging the FRST.txt and Addition.txt files directly into the Sendspace window.
-
Add More Files (If Needed): If you need to upload additional files, click the “+ Add more files” button. For this process, you will need to upload both FRST.txt and Addition.txt.
-
Start Upload: Click the “Upload” button to begin uploading your selected log files to Sendspace. Wait for the upload process to complete. The upload time will depend on your internet connection speed and the file sizes.
-
Copy and Share the Link: Once the upload is finished, Sendspace will provide a unique download link for your uploaded files. Click the “Copy Link” button to copy this link to your clipboard.
-
Share the Link: Paste (CTRL+V) the copied Sendspace link into your forum post or message where you are seeking assistance. This link will allow others to download and analyze your FRST logs.
Important Considerations
- Use the Latest Version: Always ensure you are using the most recent version of FRST for each scan. Ideally, keep your internet connection active while running FRST to allow it to update automatically to the newest version. Using outdated versions may lead to incomplete or inaccurate scan results.
- Consult in the Correct Forum: Do not post your FRST logs directly in this guide’s comments section. Instead, use the provided Sendspace link to share your logs in the appropriate support forum or thread dedicated to computer diagnostics or malware removal. For example, you can use forums like https://kask.us/imf04 or https://kask.us/hsLaL for consultations (if applicable and relevant to your needs).
By following these steps, you can effectively use the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to generate and share system logs, enabling experts to provide informed assistance in diagnosing and resolving your computer issues.
