How to completely clean hard drive so that no virus or malware is

[annonymous]

I have problem with my computer running windows xp home. I have reinstalled
windows many times in last 2 weeks and during this I also opted for the
complete format (not the quick one) of Hard drive but after a day or two
computer again stops working showing a blue screen and telling that windows
have shut down to prevent some damage and from here it doesn't boot anymore.
Some body told me that I would have to format Hard drive by DOS. Can anybody
please tell me how. Remember that currently computer is not in bootable
stage. thanks.

 

[John John (MVP)]

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

John

 

[R. McCarty]

I'd stop formatting & re-installing XP. Next time the machine BSODs
write down the codes that are presented. With that information you can
determine what is the cause of the stops.
Unless you have another physical drive in the machine with data, it's
not likely a fresh install is infected. This assumes you have AntiVirus on
the computer.
When you capture the BSOD, post the stop code 0X________ here
and someone will help you isolate the problem.

 

[Anteaus]

Firstly, are you sure this isn't a hardware problem? It sounds more like it.
Possibly the HD itself, the PSU, or the mobo's disk-controller chip.

Assuming a virus, if you have formatted the disk but the virus returned then
it may be that you didn't clean the MBR. Do this by booting witha DOS disk
and typing

FDISK /MBR

Alternatively, it may be that the virus has reinstated itself from removable
media. You need to practice a thorough disinfection of all possible sources.

To clean a disk completeley I generally use Ranish Partition Manager. The
"E" option will fill a partition with zeros. Although it would be unusual for
a virus to survive a format UNLESS it's an MBR type.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have problem with my computer running windows xp home. I have reinstalled
windows many times in last 2 weeks

I almost recommend against doing to solve problems, and one of the
reasons is that without finding out what is wrong, you are very likely
to repeat the behavior that caused it, and quickly find yourself back
in the same situation. That's apparently what has happened to you.

and during this I also opted for the
complete format (not the quick one) of Hard drive but after a day or two
computer again stops working showing a blue screen and telling that windows
have shut down to prevent some damage and from here it doesn't boot anymore.
Some body told me that I would have to format Hard drive by DOS. Can anybody
please tell me how.

No. That's not necessary and the person who told you that is not
correct.

Please describe your problems in detail.Especially what is the error
code shown on the blue screen. Another possibility is that you are
experiencing a hardware problem, not a Windows one.

 

[nass]

I have problem with my computer running windows xp home. I have reinstalled
windows many times in last 2 weeks and during this I also opted for the
complete format (not the quick one) of Hard drive but after a day or two
computer again stops working showing a blue screen and telling that windows
have shut down to prevent some damage and from here it doesn't boot anymore.
Some body told me that I would have to format Hard drive by DOS. Can anybody
please tell me how. Remember that currently computer is not in bootable
stage. thanks.

I will check the hardware first like:
- System Get overheated or Thermal component burnt (or dust accumelated )
- Defective RAM
- Going bad HDD
- Losse Connectors
- Power supply specially fromthe Motherboard to the Power supply check for
burning Connector.
Try a Full format/Clean install.
HTH,
nass

 

[annonymous]

A problem has been detected and windows has been shat down---------
---------------------------
KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR


If this is the first time-----------------------------------------

check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly
installed----------------

if problem continues disable or remove any newly installed hardware of
software. disable BIOS memory options -------------------------

Technical information

STOP : O*OOOOOO7A (O*CO3E465C, O*COOOOOOE, O*F919778A, O*08AD2860)
nfts.sys- address F919778A base at F9142000, datestamp 41107eea

Begining dump of memory.

Note: * used in above codes is perhaps small x or multiplication sign.

 

[nass]

You receive an error message on a Windows XP-based computer: "Stop
0x00000077" or "KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315266

Common Causes of STOP Messages 0x00000077 and 0x0000007A
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/130801

Stop 0x00000077 KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/228753
Troubleshooting Common Stop Message
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/core/fnhd_exe_fzdh.mspx?mfr=true

You may have a bad RAM try to test your RAM by running Memtest by
downloading this tool and unzip it and make a floppy or CD/DVD and run it on
Reboot.
http://www.memtest86.com/
You may need to reposition/reset the RAM sticks in their slots.

HTH
nass

 

[R. McCarty]

This error is usually associated with a disk operation. The number
of possible causes is fairly long. It could be a defective drive or the
controller that hosts the drive. Along with that it may be a BIOS
setting or the BIOS requires a firmware update to address a known
issue.

One diagnostic that may help is to download the drive vendor's
diagnostics disk. This is usually bootable and will run tests on the disk
to verify that it is not defective and reliable. Depending on which type
of interface you may have a defective cable ( SATA or PATA ).

There are too many variables to give you a definitive suggestion on
what is wrong. After the amount of time you've spent on it, it may be
time to take the machine to a small/reputable computer repair shop.

 

[Peter Foldes]

That is pointing to a bad Ram. Check your Ram and also see if they are seated properly

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have problem with my computer running windows xp home. I have reinstalled
windows many times in last 2 weeks and during this I also opted for the
complete format (not the quick one) of Hard drive but after a day or two
computer again stops working showing a blue screen and telling that windows
have shut down to prevent some damage and from here it doesn't boot anymore.
Some body told me that I would have to format Hard drive by DOS.

That's complete and utter nonsense. Never, ever listen to that person
again concerning computers.

Can anybody
please tell me how. Remember that currently computer is not in bootable
stage. thanks.

Actually, what you need to do is isolate and replace the piece of
defective hardware that is causing your problems. However, you've
carefully left out any details that might have help us guide you in the
correct direction. Generically:

Start with testing the RAM. You might try MemTest86:
http://www.memtest86.com/ It's free. Then you can download and use the
hard drive manufacturer's diagnostic utility to test the hard drive. If
both RAM and hard drive test out clean, check with the motherboard
manufacturer for any diagnostic utilities.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[HeyBub]

A problem has been detected and windows has been shat down---------
---------------------------
KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR


If this is the first time-----------------------------------------

check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly
installed----------------

if problem continues disable or remove any newly installed hardware of
software. disable BIOS memory options -------------------------

Technical information

STOP : O*OOOOOO7A (O*CO3E465C, O*COOOOOOE, O*F919778A, O*08AD2860)
nfts.sys- address F919778A base at F9142000, datestamp 41107eea

Begining dump of memory.

Note: * used in above codes is perhaps small x or multiplication sign.

"The Stop 0x7A message indicates that a page of kernel data was not found in
the paging (virtual memory) file and could not be read into memory. This
might be due to incompatible disk or controller drivers, firmware, or
hardware."

The second and third parameters point directly to bad RAM (or possibly bad
disk cache). Do you have more than 4GB of RAM? The base address translates
to 4,179,195,786.