Wiped harddrive, restored factory settings, still infected?

Question

I have a browser hijacker virus. I tried multiple anti-virus programs (already had Avast and Webroot on my computer when I got the virus), and it is blocking me from downloading new anti-virus programs or running updates. It redirects my browser from any site that would help me.

So I wiped my computer completely and restored factory settings with the original disk that came with the computer. I did not upload any of my old files or programs, just reinstalled my anti-virus from its factory disk as well. The browser hijacker is still there! Any suggestions? Could there be a modem/router issue involved too?

bklyn_40 · Answer

Silly question, but did you just reformat the HDD? If so, the virus can be in your boot sector.
Did you perform a scan immediately after you restored factory settings? Did you scan the D: (if that's where your factory settings are stored).
If you done all this, perhaps download another anti-virus onto a flash drive using a different computer, then from the falsh drive, run the anti-virus.
You can also try: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/terms/hijacking.aspx

Erika · Answer

The production facility restoration option copies a picture of the finished perplexingchronic from a HIDDEN partition on the top of the DISK, onto the C: partition. It destroys each little thing. commonly, setting up XP from scratch will re-format the disk - it extremely is 50/50 no count if it destroyed the HIDDEN PARTITION on your pc besides. for the reason which you replaced from Vista to XP ( a clever flow , for the reason that Vista replaced into unsuitable ) whether the hidden partition remains there, it could have the production facility VISTA on it, and once you press the F10 as somebody mentioned, it is going to placed lower back Vista... there's no thank you to get any WIPE action on the recent XP devoid of the XP CD... Even then - if the hidden partition remains there, it is going to continuously harm XP on C: and replace it with Vista... i do no longer understand any basic thank you to do away with 1000's of tags to the owner call and records and passwords - XP collects a lot of rubbish in many tiers of hidden folders, and is amazingly perplexing to "clean" or substitute key ownerships. the least perplexing element is to easily try restoration with F10 or in spite of and wipe the finished C: partition (if the hidden partition is there, and not corrupted ). it could have VISTA, yet you will do away with all very own records. whether you have the XP disk and desire to re-set up, all the indoors maximum information would be there in case you do no longer format thechronic intently first, which, the F10 Vista set up might extremely do.. perplexing concern... Giving the pc with XP may be relatively astounding with the aid of fact it would artwork speedier and undertaking loose, vs the bloated, sluggish VISTA, yet I see little different quickly, uncomplicated thank you to maintain your privateness...

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, as well as infecting computers, viruses can spread all around the network including routers. You will need to get your entire network checked out before you connect any new computers, modems, routers or OS's to it.

Yawn Gnome · Answer

You have to remove that thing in Safe Mode or just go command line on it. I worked on a friends box that had that, it was aggravating, but it is gone. If you can access the internet, there is now a utility or program to do that, exactly that. 
malware-bytes or something, it is mentioned in the first two links.

Bert · Answer

http://www.ehow.com/how_4592900_remove-computer-viruses.html

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Wiped harddrive, restored factory settings, still infected?

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