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Lv 6
? asked in Computers & InternetSecurity · 1 decade ago

Unkillable virus: Returns after reformat, without internet connection?

I have spent the last 4 nights trying to figure out a way to eliminate this virus from several computers that have come into my shop. ( Yes, I repair computers, I'm no beginner) I have on my bench as I write, 4 computers that have a virus that will not go away! With no internet connection, this virus pops up on the first boot after a total destructive format! It starts by putting pop up windows on the screen that cannot be closed. Eventually ( I have seen this before ) it will "Kill" the hard drive so that it can be erased, but nothing else can be formatted on it. 4 computers this week have come into my shop with virus, so it's circulation must be growing exponentially! Anyone with any idea? PS, this virus does NOT show up in a virus scan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first symptom is typically a red dot with a white "X" in it. I now call that the "Death Kiss"

Update:

As an afterthought, I might send these HDs to different AV companies to do a "Digital Autopsy" on. I ran a "kill" disc on 2 HDs, & it worked...their dead! They will not reformat at all. The puter does not even see them. Something either in the virus code, or in the act of removing it, removed any hope of reformatting. I wish I knew how to "catch" the virus & disassemble it, I would love to see the code, & how they are doing it. If you know what their doing, you can block them!

5 Answers

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  • bambamitsdead
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    nasty.

    Have you tried formatting with a Linux CD into EXT3 or something else non-Windows and then reformat with Windows?

    Try a new disk drive... if it survives this then it's in the bios or clock chip. (a virus in the hardware... yech, that is scary) I don't think there is any other non volatile memory in a PC. If it's in the hardware... try pulling the BIOS battery and resetting the works to default.

    If AV software can't find it then the AV guys are going to have to pull their fingers out. Maybe they will talk to you / maybe tehy are working on it already.

  • Delphine
    5 years ago

    2

    Source(s): Amazing Protection Antivirus Software - http://moveantivirus.com/?ZpOa
  • ' slimRazor '
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    XP SecurityCenter — is an anti-spware application that is installed by trojan. XPSecurityCenter is a new version of WinReanimator. This antispyware infects computer systems and displays misleading adverts of free download, wares and pron sites, trojans and security holes.

    The flase alarm is what “WWWHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH” scares most pc users and prompts them to pay for a full license of an application to remove the error; whatever you do, do not pay anything, this is a scam! Big one.

    What is the risk level: I would give it a 2.89/3 (High)

    Symptoms:

    Pop up balloon warning messages claiming that your PC is infected.

    - Critical System Error

    - Your computer is infected

    - Flashing icons appear on your system tray/( Big red circle with a White X) most people will recommend malwarebytes but in your case I don't think it will work.,Sorry I could nt help more good luck.

    Source(s): eXperience
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    even the complete reformat doesn't work?maybe you just reformatted but without erasing the whole hard drive,usually this always work and delete everything try to use your clients windows CDs and do reformat the long one not the short one,but this will erase all the hard drive data and install new fresh copy of windows.ADDITIONALL:being not new in computers you know there are 3 ways on this:one install using quick reformat(not recommended in your case),install using long reformat with NTFS files on windows cd and install without change anything in system files(also not recommended),so the only way out is erase with NTFS on long variant this will kill the virus but the client will loose all data on that hard drive

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  • Elmer Fud
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    try gmer.com for rootkits. they really are some nasty little buggers like you said that destroy os and hardware. I hang around here in yahoo answers quite a bit and yes you are correct this issue is escallating at a alarming rate. Just can not emphasize the importance of maintaining proper internet security software. Gmer is free to download. complete instructions come with download. email scan results back to gmail. techs will analize and email you back with results and instructions good luck out there and be safe

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