messed up my comp

[alphalanos]

i got a virus on my computer, then i ran all kinds of scans and followed directions on how to remove it, but it just kept coming back. (trojan.startpage) by the way. so after a few days of ignoring it, my computer began to freeze randomly. i decided to try and reinstall Windows XP pro. i tried that, but it froze right at the end of the process. i tried numerous times but the same result. now i cant get back to my desktop because the install program isnt complete. should i go buy a new hard drive or will getting it erased at the computer store fix the problem?

[clawhammer]

Reinstall windows xp, during install format the drive, make sure you you're behind a router when you connect the computer to the internet. Install XP SP2, some antivirus program, update the virus definitions, install microsoft antispyware, and update the definitions on that too. Then scan your computer for viruses and spyware, and make sure you have real-time protection activated.

[my3rdskyline]

Boot to Win98SE startup disk (It is the best OS made boot disk ever). Type in debug at the A: prompt.

Enter in the following commands:

Blue: what you type in.

Pink: what is displayed on the screen. (DO NOT TYPE THIS IN!)

Black: this is useful information. (DO NOT TYPE THIS IN!)

================================================== ===================

To delete partitions on a hard drive:

-------------------------------------------

-F 220 L1000 0 (ENTER)

-A CS: 100 (ENTER)

xxxx:0100 MOV AX,301 (ENTER)

xxxx:0103 MOV BX,200 (ENTER)

xxxx:0106 MOV CX,1 (ENTER)

xxxx:0109 MOV DX,80 (ENTER) <---"80" for hd1, "81" for hd2 >

xxxx:010C INT 13 (ENTER)

xxxx:010E INT 20 (ENTER)

xxxx:0110 (ENTER) <-------BLANK LINE "VERY IMPORTANT" >

-G (ENTER)

Program terminated normally

- (CTRL)-(ALT)-(DEL) to reboot system



THEN... install XP

http://www.fdisk.com/fdisk/HardDrive.htm

[my3rdskyline]

that's a low level debug script and it works great for boot sector viruses.

[Neutrino]

shouldn't it be easier if he just used Fdisk to kill the partions then type Fdisk /MBR to clean up the master boot record. Or is this not low level enough?


I know Fdisk /mbr worked very well when I had a dual boot system with linux and Grub crapped out and would not let me load anything.

[alphalanos]

thanks for the help guys. all it took was a lot of patience. i let the computer run for three days, the time it needed to install XP. very weird

[my3rdskyline]

Originally Posted by Neutrino

shouldn't it be easier if he just used Fdisk to kill the partions then type Fdisk /MBR to clean up the master boot record. Or is this not low level enough?


I know Fdisk /mbr worked very well when I had a dual boot system with linux and Grub crapped out and would not let me load anything.

i've had situations where there was still a virus after doing that. that script sets the hard drive back to factory defaults.

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by my3rdskyline

i've had situations where there was still a virus after doing that. that script sets the hard drive back to factory defaults.

that is good to know, I always thought FDisk was low level enough to nuke viruses, now I know better. I have to write down those comands you listed, might come in handy in the future.

[my3rdskyline]

Originally Posted by Neutrino

that is good to know, I always thought FDisk was low level enough to nuke viruses, now I know better. I have to write down those comands you listed, might come in handy in the future.

don't fuck it up or the drive is hosed. :-)

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by my3rdskyline

don't fuck it up or the drive is hosed. :-)

you say that like its a bad thing

[-Davo]

Originally Posted by alphalanos

thanks for the help guys. all it took was a lot of patience. i let the computer run for three days, the time it needed to install XP. very weird

it took you 78 hours to format, and install XP?

That is weird, it took me like 2 hours.

[my3rdskyline]

that sounds like something that would happen with a boot sector or table of contents virus.