Infected, XP Freeze after splash, can't boot

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by richc233, Dec 26, 2008.

  1. richc233

    richc233 Private E-2

    My system was definately infected with spyware, running super slow, command prompt windows opening when XP was starting, etc. I ran Superantispyware and it did find many things that it fixed. I did not get to complete the rest of the Malware Removal Steps and the next time the computer was started it froze after the Windows XP Splash. It looks like it is booting Ok, the splash goes away, the screen is blue with the mouse cursor/arrow - it is just frozen, except that the mouse arrow moves with the mouse. No key presses do anything either. The same thing happens if I choose safe mode, and also freezes trying safe mode with command prompt only. I was able to start the Windows Recovery Console, but don't know what to do from there.

    I tried taking the hard drive out and installing it as a second drive in another system, then running all of the Malware Removal programs on it from there. Only Malware Bytes found a few things that it said it fixed, but with the hard drive back in the original system I still have the same freeze!

    Please help with what steps I should take to fix this.

    Thanks,
    Rich
     
    richc233, Dec 26, 2008
    #1
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    TimW, Dec 28, 2008
    #2
  3. richc233

    richc233 Private E-2

    Thanks for the tip! I started the process and after the first part, I am able to login to XP, however the Start Menu is not working. I tried to run Explorer from the Task Manager, and the Start Menu then shows up for a second and disappears again - it looks like some spyware is killing it. I am now running the suggested Malware Removal programs (running them from the Task Manager) to try to remove whatever might be causing the trouble.

    Do you have any other suggestions or a specific thing to do to remove the Explorer killer?

    Thanks,
    Rich
     
    richc233, Dec 29, 2008
    #3
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Not without seeing what is going on in your system....but check this:

    • If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First.
    • If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going.
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not.
    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


    Notes:


    [/size]
    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode. You can run steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools on another PC and burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
     
    TimW, Dec 29, 2008
    #4
  5. richc233

    richc233 Private E-2

    I have been busy and have not gotten to post my results here until now. I have run all of the Malware removal recommended, have reinstalled XP to the same folder, ran the Microsoft Malware removal program. The problem at this point is that the Start Menu and Desktop are not working. There are no icons on the desktop and Right-clicking, pushing any keys, etc. do not do anything. The only thing that seems to work is Ctrl-Alt-Del, and I can then run tasks from the task manager.

    Would it be better to start a new thread with the Start Menu/Desktop problem in the title so someone that is familiar with this will see it?? I really don't want to give up and wipe the whole system, as I am sure it is some type of spyware or virus causing this problem.

    Please let me know.

    Thanks,
    Rich
     
    richc233, Jan 12, 2009
    #5
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Doing a repair installation will not remove malware. I would again suggest that you run the scans and attach the logs. That is the only way I will know if this is a malware issue or not.
     
    TimW, Jan 13, 2009
    #6

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