Dead HD

[Holden Caulfield]

We apparently have a virus on a laptop. The desktop is gone, and nothing
works. Can't find any of the software and can't even start the windows
explorer. Cannot run from the disk. I can start in Safe mode, tho.
We had McAfee running but it had been turned off by whatever-it-is.
How do I get rid of this thing?

 

[Beauregard T. Shagnasty]

We apparently have a virus on a laptop.

Why, exactly, do you think this?

The desktop is gone, and nothing works.

Not necessarily a virus.

Can't find any of the software and can't even start the windows
explorer. Cannot run from the disk.

You are going to have to be more specific.

I can start in Safe mode, tho.

Oh. So the "Dead HD" isn't really "Dead" then?

We had McAfee running but it had been turned off by whatever-it-is.

What is "whatever-it-is"?

How do I get rid of this thing?

Give some specific details, and maybe we can figure out what this
"thing" is...

 

[David H. Lipman]

Sounds like an OS corruption and not a virus and if you can run in Safe mode, how can your
hard disk be "dead" ?

If you want help, you need to posts facts, not conjecture.

Dave



| We apparently have a virus on a laptop. The desktop is gone, and nothing
| works. Can't find any of the software and can't even start the windows
| explorer. Cannot run from the disk. I can start in Safe mode, tho.
| We had McAfee running but it had been turned off by whatever-it-is.
| How do I get rid of this thing?

 

[Conor]

We apparently have a virus on a laptop. The desktop is gone, and nothing
works. Can't find any of the software and can't even start the windows
explorer. Cannot run from the disk. I can start in Safe mode, tho.
We had McAfee running but it had been turned off by whatever-it-is.
How do I get rid of this thing?

Format - Re-install.

 

[Buffalo]

We apparently have a virus on a laptop. The desktop is gone, and nothing
works. Can't find any of the software and can't even start the windows
explorer. Cannot run from the disk. I can start in Safe mode, tho.
We had McAfee running but it had been turned off by whatever-it-is.
How do I get rid of this thing?

This is from another reply by Dave Lipman that may be of some use to you:
"
You might want to try the below (again if done before) as the Trend Pattern
File, Stinger
and Sysclean have "all been updated."
In the last few days, almost 600 new infectors have been added to Trend's
targeted list.

1) Download the following three items...

McAfee Stinger
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

Trend Sysclean Package
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp

Latest Trend signature files.
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

Create a directory.
On drive "C:\"
(e.g., "c:\New Folder")
or the desktop
(e.g., "C:\Documents and Settings\lipman\Desktop\New Folder")

Download SYSCLEAN.COM and place it in that directory.
Dowload the signature files (pattern files) by obtaining the ZIP file.
For example; lpt242.zip

Extract the contents of the ZIP file and place the contents in the same
directory as
SYSCLEAN.COM.

2) If you are using WinME or WinXP, disable System Restore
http://vil.nai.com/vil/SystemHelpDocs/DisableSysRestore.htm
3) Reboot your PC into Safe Mode
4) Using both the Trend Sysclean utility and Stinger, perform a Full Scan of
your
platform and clean/delete any infectors found
5) Restart your PC and perform a "final" Full Scan of your platform using
both.
6) If you are using WinME or WinXP, Re-enable System Restore and re-apply
any
System Restore preferences, (e.g. HD space to use suggested 400 ~
600MB),
7) Reboot your PC.
8) If you are using WinME or WinXP, create a new Restore point


* * * Please report back your results * * *

Dave"

If that doesn't work, post back.
Buffalo