Win XP SP2 don't boot

[iggybaby]

Happy new year to everybody! As usual with Windows since 10 years ago,I'm very close to format the HDD of my notebook with a lot of programs to reinstall.I was fighting with an explorer.exe trojan with no success and after several attempts,switched off.Next morning XP couldn't boot,stopping just after BIOS with flashing cursor.Using the installation CD (where I don't have the option R) the message was "no volume is present".The only way that solved part of my problem was to start with USB floppy with NTDETECT,NTLDR,BOOT.INI.
Starting this way,I can just run safe mode with the F8 key.I was happy because all my files and programs are present,but any other attempt following the many proposals found,didn't solve the problem.If I start with floppy without F8 the Windows logo runs forever.By the way scanning with antivirus in safe mode the only virus found is the explorer still infected,but I think not influent for booting.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

What AV program did you use and did it scan for rootkits? Explorer.exe is indeed very "influential" in booting the computer.

Welcome and, I'm guessing, English is not your first language?

 

[Harvey]

Even if you think you've removed all vestiges of a virus, it may have done enough damage that it's beyond repair. The way I'm ever sure an infected machine is clean and fully functional is to re-install Windows from the ground up.

If you have files and installation programs you have to save:

1. Remove the hard drive from the machine, and use a universal SATA/PATA to USB adapter like this to copy all of your files, installation programs, etc. to another machine. Before you start, be sure the other machine is fully protected and backed up to avoid infecting it with any malware left on your drive.

2. Download DELPART.EXE, a utility from Windows NT3 that will absolutely wipe your drive, and copy it to a DOS bootable floppy disk. It's no longer available from Microsoft, but you can download it, here.

3. Re-install the drive, boot to your USB floppy, use DELPART.EXE to wipe the drive, and re-install XP. Do NOT activate it on installation. Do NOT go online for any reason until you install your AV, anti-spyware and firewall.

4. You can download all of Windows SP3, not including updates since the release of this pack. You can run this from your hard drive. It will save you a lot updating of time.

You can spend a lot of time trying to clean out and repair an infected drive... MAYBE, or you can bite the bullet, do a clean installation and KNOW your system is not infected, corrupted or otherwise compromised.

 

[iggybaby]

What AV program did you use and did it scan for rootkits? Explorer.exe is indeed very "influential" in booting the computer.

Welcome and, I'm guessing, English is not your first language?

No,I'm italian.

 

[iggybaby]

Even if you think you've removed all vestiges of a virus, it may have done enough damage that it's beyond repair. The way I'm ever sure an infected machine is clean and fully functional is to re-install Windows from the ground up.

If you have files and installation programs you have to save:

1. Remove the hard drive from the machine, and use a universal SATA/PATA to USB adapter like this to copy all of your files, installation programs, etc. to another machine. Before you start, be sure the other machine is fully protected and backed up to avoid infecting it with any malware left on your drive.

2. Download DELPART.EXE, a utility from Windows NT3 that will absolutely wipe your drive, and copy it to a DOS bootable floppy disk. It's no longer available from Microsoft, but you can download it, here.

3. Re-install the drive, boot to your USB floppy, use DELPART.EXE to wipe the drive, and re-install XP. Do NOT activate it on installation. Do NOT go online for any reason until you install your AV, anti-spyware and firewall.

4. You can download all of Windows SP3, not including updates since the release of this pack. You can run this from your hard drive. It will save you a lot updating of time.

You can spend a lot of time trying to clean out and repair an infected drive... MAYBE, or you can bite the bullet, do a clean installation and KNOW your system is not infected, corrupted or otherwise compromised.

So,you think that I will have to reinstall all programs? Anyway thanks a lot!

 

[Harvey]

So,you think that I will have to reinstall all programs? Anyway thanks a lot!

Having rescued more friends from viruses and spyware than I care to think about, I no longer waste more than a minimal amount of time trying to identify and repair infected drives. If it isn't really simple to identify an infection and confirm an easy, absolute means to remove it, I just cut to the chase.

It's probably faster and absolutely more certain that a clean installation will work well the first time, and it will be even cleaner than the original installation because you'll be starting with current versions of drivers and program files, instead of the older versions you've updated and re-updated along the way.