Viral Damage

  • Thread starter Thread starter wackjob
  • Start date Start date
W

wackjob

I got a virus called "Trogan.ByteVerify" & it screwed
things up a bit. It changed the Boot Devices, Boot
Priority & Boot config. so that on start-up my system
tried to boot off of a secondary drive. The virus also
set my system clock back to 1/01/02. I fixed everything &
Norton Anti-virus removed the sucker but I'm still having
a problem. The system restarts by itself unexpectedly
while you're in the middle of something. I can't get an
answer from Symantec. I also contacted Intel, as it is
their BIOS which is infected. Would anyone know where to
look and what if anything can be done to stop the OS from
automatically rebooting? I got a trial version
of "Registry Mechanic" to check for registry changes, but
I don't like third-party registry editors. That would be
my last option.

Please help!
 
low-level format the drive and start over.
clear the CMOS and re-flash the BIOS to get it out of memory.
 
-----Original Message-----
low-level format the drive and start over.
clear the CMOS and re-flash the BIOS to get it out of memory.


.
"low-level format the drive and start over" Would just
Click to expand...
getting a flash BIOS update from Intel work? I can't
format the HD for the 99th time again. Say it ain't so!
 
Flashing the BIOS does not remove a virus.

If you have reformatted your hard drive several times and are still becoming
infected by viruses, it seems to me that the basic issue is that you are not
adept at protecting your computer from viruses. Here are some virus
prevention tips to consider for your next reformat:

1. To clear your hard disk of viruses, you need to delete your partition(s)
and perform a clean install of Windows. This completely erases your hard
disk. Use the Windows XP CD to do this.
2. Do not connect to the Internet until your antivirus software and firewall
have been re-installed. If you do not have firewall software, activate
Windows' own Internet Connection Firewall. Be sure that your antivirus
software (and firewall if you have one) are configured for maximum
protection.
3. Now connect to the Internet and go directly to Windows Update. Install
all critical updates and service packs. Temporarily disable your virus
scanner when downloading updates from Windows Update.
4. After re-enabling your antivirus software, update your virus signatures.
After you have done this perform a full virus scan.

With your OS updated and your antivirus protection and firewall in place,
you can begin to use your computer. Now is the time to adopt defensive
computing practices, so no miscreant can con you into allowing your machine
to become infected again.

Rocky
 
-----Original Message-----
Flashing the BIOS does not remove a virus.

If you have reformatted your hard drive several times and are still becoming
infected by viruses, it seems to me that the basic issue is that you are not
adept at protecting your computer from viruses. Here are some virus
prevention tips to consider for your next reformat:

1. To clear your hard disk of viruses, you need to delete your partition(s)
and perform a clean install of Windows. This completely erases your hard
disk. Use the Windows XP CD to do this.
2. Do not connect to the Internet until your antivirus software and firewall
have been re-installed. If you do not have firewall software, activate
Windows' own Internet Connection Firewall. Be sure that your antivirus
software (and firewall if you have one) are configured for maximum
protection.
3. Now connect to the Internet and go directly to Windows Update. Install
all critical updates and service packs. Temporarily disable your virus
scanner when downloading updates from Windows Update.
4. After re-enabling your antivirus software, update your virus signatures.
After you have done this perform a full virus scan.

With your OS updated and your antivirus protection and firewall in place,
you can begin to use your computer. Now is the time to adopt defensive
computing practices, so no miscreant can con you into allowing your machine
to become infected again.

Rocky




.
Thanks Rocky but you misunderstood me. I have formatted
Click to expand...
my HD many times over several years, using different OS
(Win98, Win98SE etc.) I have had no trouble to date w/
this install of WinXP Pro. It's just that everything is
working so well this time EXCEPT the reboot issue. I feel
there MUST be another solution other then to format. I
view that as the "eat the bullet" approach. Gotta be
another way.
 
Not true...the virus could be stored in your BIOS! I have seen that several
times. It is a pain in the a$$ to get rid of them. It could be stored on
your boot sector and coppied to the BIOS. If you fdisk the hard drive, the
virus will be copied right back to the hard drive from the BIOS's copy.

You must "0" fill or low level format the hard drive. Then do not fdisk it
yet and shut it down. Clear the CMOS and then flash the BIOS. Now you have
a clean computer. You may now fdisk and continue with the installation...

I have had to do this from a real stupid MS copywrite protection guard. I
have tried to burn a copy of a MS game (I think that it was Plus Game
Pack...only $30) and got this SNAFU. That was the only way I got out from
under that...

Good luck!
 
-----Original Message-----
Not true...the virus could be stored in your BIOS! I have seen that several
times. It is a pain in the a$$ to get rid of them. It could be stored on
your boot sector and coppied to the BIOS. If you fdisk the hard drive, the
virus will be copied right back to the hard drive from the BIOS's copy.

You must "0" fill or low level format the hard drive. Then do not fdisk it
yet and shut it down. Clear the CMOS and then flash the BIOS. Now you have
a clean computer. You may now fdisk and continue with the installation...

I have had to do this from a real stupid MS copywrite protection guard. I
have tried to burn a copy of a MS game (I think that it was Plus Game
Pack...only $30) and got this SNAFU. That was the only way I got out from
under that...

Good luck!


.
Hmmmm... Hard pill to swallow, but I've gotten just
Click to expand...
about the same responses everywhere. Back-up files time I
guess, but could any of my files be infected
(essentially .doc files & .exe files for program re-
installs)?
 
"...but could any of my files be infected (essentially .doc files & .exe
files for program re-installs)?"

You could test them with your antivirus software.

Rocky
 
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