XP won't boot after Combofix- need help

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by teleplayer, Jul 12, 2009.

  1. teleplayer

    teleplayer Private E-2

    I suspected malware of some sort because of very slow internet access.

    I ran Malwarebytes and Superantispyware multiple times. They found various items which were deleted - trojans and rootkit/gen. I don't remember any particular named trojans. I wasn't confident I had everything, so I made the next step.

    I know from past experience that combofix has always found the tough ones, so I ran it and I believe it stopped one process and deleted one file. It rebooted me and everything was fine. I then ran it again a bit later, it did not delete anything, but now when I try to boot I only get to the screen with the big blue stripe that says "windows xp" , and ctrl-alt-del seems to do nothing. I don't get anywhere in safe mode either.

    So it seems I may have pushed my luck with combofix.

    I do believe that the malware and/or virus was successfully removed, and my real problem is just from running the combofix again.

    I have the recovery console installed and I'm fluent in DOS, I hope someone can walk me through this.
     
  2. teleplayer

    teleplayer Private E-2

    Never Mind. I slipstreamed SP3 into an XP SP1 file set and burned a bootable CD. Used the repair windows function. The registry's a bit messed up but at least I'm back in business. Windows update refuses to update itself...and therefore I can't get any further updates. Still trying to figure out that one.
     
  3. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    I suggest that you follow these instructions if you still suspect malware, since you only did a repair install:

    Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given futher down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

    • 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 TDSSserv is not found, just continue on with the READ & RUN ME.
    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

    • 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.
    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:

    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 the 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 and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then 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.
    3. If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:

    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
     

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds