repair loop (virus?)

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Gibles, Apr 1, 2012.

  1. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    My computer BSOD on me the other day and when I try to restart, it freezes on the Windows screen. I then try to restart and it takes me to the repair screen. I tried to repair, but then it freezes. I tried booting from my Windows disc but was unsuccessful. Safe mode was also unsuccessful. I searched these forums and followed the instructions to use the FRST64 scan tool but as I go through the instructions, it randomly freezes. What else can I try? This is infuriating.
     
    Gibles, Apr 1, 2012
    #1
  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    What maps you think this is malware?


    Please do the below so that we can boot to System Recovery Options to run a scan.

    For x32 (x86) bit systems download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to a flash drive.
    For x64 bit systems download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool x64 and save it to a flash drive.

    Plug the flashdrive into the infected PC.

    Enter System Recovery Options from the Advanced Boot Options:
    • Restart the computer.
    • As soon as the BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until Advanced Boot Options appears.
    • Use the arrow keys to select the Repair your computer menu item.
    • Select US as the keyboard language settings, and then click Next.
    • Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
    • Select your user account an click Next.

    On the System Recovery Options menu you will get the following options:
    • Select Command Prompt
    • In the command window type in notepad and press Enter.
    • The notepad opens. Under File menu select Open.
    • Select "Computer" and find your flash drive letter and close the notepad.
    • In the command window type e:\frst.exe (for x64 bit version type e:\frst64) and press Enter
      Note: Replace letter e with the drive letter of your flash drive.
    • The tool will start to run.
    • When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
    • Press Scan button.
    • It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please attach this file to your next reply. (See: How to attach)
     
    chaslang, Apr 1, 2012
    #2
  3. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    My computer freezes upon "The tool is setting up itself to read Local Disk. Please wait....."
     
    Gibles, Apr 1, 2012
    #3
  4. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    Does anyone have any advice? Could it be a hardware problem and if so, what is the best way to check?
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #4
  5. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    If you cannot boot via the method I gave you for FSRT and you also cannot boot using your Windows DVD then you are probably looking at a reinstall. Are you 100% sure that you cannot get the CD to run and that you cannot boot up into the System Recovery Environment and possibly access the command prompt window?
     
    chaslang, Apr 2, 2012
    #5
  6. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    I can get as far as starting FRST and I have been able to get to the command prompt, but it will freeze at any given point. I'm fine with a fresh reinstall since my OS runs off an SSD, but I've been unable to get my Windows disc to boot properly to even begin that process as the disc I used to install isn't working now. When I try to boot, it freezes at the "starting windows" screen before the windows icon appears.
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #6
  7. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    If you are able to get to the Command Prompt, then quickly enter the below commands and see what happens. The last command will reboot. Note the space after bootrec

    bootrec /fixmbr
    bootrec /fixboot
    exit

    See if it will reboot normally now without the CD.
     
    chaslang, Apr 2, 2012
    #7
  8. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    And note that the below sounds like you are booting from the harddisk not the CD
     
    chaslang, Apr 2, 2012
    #8
  9. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    How do I ensure this? I press F12 at startup, which brings up my boot menu. I choose boot from CD where it then takes me to "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD." I press any key and that's where it takes me. I've also changed my boot order in my BIOS. There, I put CD first and do not give it an option to boot from the HDD. I'm sure the DVD is legit because it works in other computers.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2012
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #9
  10. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    EDIT: I'm also sure I can boot from CD because I was able to boot Avira to scan my drives.
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #10
  11. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Then you should be able to boot the Windowa DVD too unless it is not compatible with ths PC. Have you tried what I suggested in msg number 7?
     
    chaslang, Apr 2, 2012
    #11
  12. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    Not yet, I was on my lunch break earlier, so I'll have to wait until later.

    The DVD should be compatible because I used it to install initially. I also burned Avira using the same type of media.
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #12
  13. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    I was finally able to get to the command prompt and enter this. I then restarted and the computer as if I wanted to do the repair (recommended), so I did that. It then froze trying to check my system. I did, however, run into a screen earlier that said I was missing "\boot\memtest.exe" and the status was "0xc000000f".
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #13
  14. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    I suggest that you post in the Software Forum. You are not having malware problems. Your Windows installation or hard disk is messed up. You need to put a copy of memtest.exe back into the \boot folder of your harddisk.
     
    chaslang, Apr 2, 2012
    #14
  15. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    After I ran the bootrec procedure you posted, I was able to run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.

    I will try and post there. Thanks for trying.
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #15
  16. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Okay so then you still cannot boot up Windows. How about in safe boot mode?
     
    chaslang, Apr 2, 2012
    #16
  17. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    I was able to safe boot but it goes right into System Recovery Options and stalled/froze on "Searching for Windows installations...."
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #17
  18. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Then you were not able to boot in safe mode!!

    Please post in the Software Forum. You may have to try a System Restore or reinstall.
     
    chaslang, Apr 2, 2012
    #18
  19. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    I posted but no response thus far. I was finally able to get to the install screen booting from disc in safe mode but now it has frozen on "setup is starting."
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #19
  20. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    NO! You are not in safe mode. Safe mode is one of the ways you can boot up into Windows. Another way is Normal Boot Mode. And a third is diagnostic startup. If you are not booting into Windows itself, then you are not booting in any of these ways. You are simply trying to boot from your DVD.
     
    chaslang, Apr 2, 2012
    #20
  21. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    Yes. I was booting from DVD in Safe Mode through the F8 menu. It said safe mode in all four corners so I assumed it was.
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #21
  22. Gibles

    Gibles Private E-2

    is there any way to reformat my hdd from the command prompt? I'm through trying to save my data. I just need a fresh install.
     
    Gibles, Apr 2, 2012
    #22
  23. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Then you were not BOOTING the DVD. You were already booted into Windows ( safe mode ) and you were trying to run the DVD. Earlier you said you could not get into Windows. So have to now assume that you never actually booted your PC from the DVD since it appears you are confused on what is boot from a DVD and booting into Windows and trying to run your DVD. Doing the later will not allow you to properly fix your problems since you have to BOOT from the DVD.

    Thus since you can actually boot into Windows ( albeit in safe mode ) you should run the below

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide
     
    chaslang, Apr 2, 2012
    #23

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