I got a bug in my boot sector, it reboots my system every time the Windows splash screen pops up. I've tried a repair install, but no luck... Does anyone know a way for me to reach my desktop without a complete install? I don't wanna lose all my data. I don't know DOS, but I can get a prompt with sys recovery tool.If anyone knows any tricks, let me know. 1 person needs an answerI do too

I think if you had a boot sector virus, then the malware would freeze up your disk for example. instead I think the symptoms sound like the file system is not up to par. perhaps, due to a lack of keeping your system tuned up. if you have a bootable xp cd, then boot your system up with it and let it go through the setup process. (you can use any xp cd, yours or borrowed and you may need to set the computer bios to boot with the cd drive instead of the hard disk) then at the first screen there will be the option to continue to install/setup the operating system or executing repair so go ahead and execute repair in order to launch the recovery console. when you get to the disk prompt, run the following commands>: chkdsk /rfixbootfixmbr then exit, remove cd and see if you can boot into windows again. incidentally, enter y for the fixmbr command. the command will ensure that the master boot record is set back to normal. "LittleMrJ" wrote in message news:beddee25-15a7-4d47-8dad-8c0d1500a52d...I got a bug in my boot sector, it reboots my system every time the Windows splash screen pops up. I've tried a repair install, but no luck... Does anyone know a way for me to reach my desktop without a complete install? I don't wanna lose all my data. I don't know DOS, but I can get a prompt with sys recovery tool.If anyone knows any tricks, let me know. db`...>-)))> `...>-)))> share the nirvana mann

To stop the PC from restarting, so that when XP crashes you can see the blue screen with stop error message, start your PC, tap the F8 key repeatedly before XP starts to load. On the ecreen that appears, use you updown srrow keys to select the option to disable autorestart. Restart you PC and let XP crash. post the STOP error here, together with any file named (if any).<LittleMrJ> wrote in message news:Email removed for privacy...I got a bug in my boot sector, it reboots my system every time the Windows splash screen pops up. I've tried a repair install, but no luck... Does anyone know a way for me to reach my desktop without a complete install? I don't wanna lose all my data. I don't know DOS, but I can get a prompt with sys recovery tool.If anyone knows any tricks, let me know.

Ben: Yea, I knew it was malware before I shut-down. I was getting fake virus scans from prgs I hadn't installed. I wanted to tune-up in safe mode to get a more effective scan, but didnt think about the corruption to be in the boot sector. I shoulda just cleaned before a restart...Thx for the recovery console tip. I had gotten to it earlier, but didn't know how to use it (i wasn't typing /r after chkdsk)...CHKDSK 'found & fixed 1 or more errors', & FIXBOOT made a new bootsector, but I didnt run FIXMBR because it warned me that FIXMBR could damage my partition tables (I apperently have a non-standard or invalad master boot record). J: Thx for the disable tip, I hadn't noticed that before... My error code is 0x0000007B (0xB84c7524,0xc0000034,0x00000000,0x00000000)... That's the only thing it says.

Thx for the recovery console tip. I had gotten to it earlier, but didn't know how to use it (i wasn't typing /r after chkdsk)...CHKDSK 'found & fixed 1 or more errors', & FIXBOOT made a new bootsector, but I didnt run FIXMBR because it warned me that FIXMBR could damage my partition tables (I apperently have a non-standard or invalad master boot record). These messages are not uncommon when running fixboot and fixmbr. Prior to running fixboot I am certain the same warning appeared as when you attempted to run fixmbr. These messages are standard. Nevertheless, before you attempt any repair you need to retrieve and back-up your data so that you don't loose it.Follow the steps on the link below to back-up your data. Once you have completed this process post back. 'http://www.repairbotsonline.com/Recovering-Lost-Files-with-Ubuntu-h4.htmI don't vote for myself I'm not here for the points. If this post helps you, vote. Visit my forum @ http://repairbotsonline.com/

I guess a back-up is an option. A fresh install would probably be the best in the long run anyway. Unfortunatly, I have around 38gig of important stuff on a 300gig drive. If I had the space for back-up I'd just install XP on it & make the corrupted drive a slave. I remember, back in the day, you could start-up boot from floppy discs, & bypass the harddrives boot sequence. My start-up discs are 850 miles away, but I have my CD right here... Aint there a way to boot around this error? I can't make any XP boot discs from my other computers because one runs vista & the other is win7...I thought it'd be an easier fix. I guess my last option is to buy a virus recovery prg. I hear Kaspersky & BitDefender are good, but I figured there would be somthin' similar on the web if I couldn't leard a trick or two from more knowledable folks. Just seems like theres somthing quick & obvious I'm missing.

I guess a back-up is an option. A fresh install would probably be the best in the long run anyway. Unfortunatly, I have around 38gig of important stuff on a 300gig drive. If I had the space for back-up I'd just install XP on it & make the corrupted drive a slave. I remember, back in the day, you could start-up boot from floppy discs, & bypass the harddrives boot sequence. My start-up discs are 850 miles away, but I have my CD right here... Aint there a way to boot around this error? I can't make any XP boot discs from my other computers because one runs vista & the other is win7...I thought it'd be an easier fix. I guess my last option is to buy a virus recovery prg. I hear Kaspersky & BitDefender are good, but I figured there would be somthin' similar on the web if I couldn't leard a trick or two from more knowledable folks. Just seems like theres somthing quick & obvious I'm missing.There is no need to buy a malware recovery software. Kapersky has a free rescue disc which you can burn and boot from then scan the hard drive.http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/rescuediskYou could also consider partitioning the hard drive from a live cd then re-install windows on the new partition. Once installed move all your personal data to the new partition then delete the old and infected partition. You can create a bootable partition manager cd using the software on the link below.http://www.ilovefreesoftware.com/26/windows/system-utils/bootable-partition-manager-partition-wizard-bootable-cd.htmlUnless you already have an iso burning software installed I recommend you use ImgBurn. It's free and works great. Simply follow the instructions in the link in my previous post to burn the image. I don't vote for myself I'm not here for the points. If this post helps you, vote. Visit my forum @ http://repairbotsonline.com/

Kaspersky did it. Thier rescue utility mounts an .iso virus prg onto a usb flash, & even has it's own browser. The scan found 15 viruses, & 63 other malware... Ironic, my issue was indirectly caused by my own Kaspersky's virus definition subscription expiring 6 months ago. I wouldn't have guess they'd have a rescue disk for free.My new problem is that I'm locked out (except in safe mode). It asks me for an Administrator password (I've never had a password, & never even been prompted for one). I guess it has something to do with the repair install I tried, my desktop is wiped & start menu has no icons, but all the prgs are there in the programs folder...I'll start a new thread for the password issue. THX for the advise folks! Happy Holidays!

Kaspersky did it. Thier rescue utility mounts an .iso virus prg onto a usb flash, & even has it's own browser. The scan found 15 viruses, & 63 other malware... Ironic, my issue was indirectly caused by my own Kaspersky's virus definition subscription expiring 6 months ago. I wouldn't have guess they'd have a rescue disk for free.My new problem is that I'm locked out (except in safe mode). It asks me for an Administrator password (I've never had a password, & never even been prompted for one). I guess it has something to do with the repair install I tried, my desktop is wiped & start menu has no icons, but all the prgs are there in the programs folder...I'll start a new thread for the password issue. THX for the advise folks! Happy Holidays!No need to start a new thread. There are additional scans you need to perform. If those scans do not remove the password issue then we can't help you on this forum. I doubt seriously if the Kapersky removed all the threats. Follow the instructions below.Reboot the computer in safe mode with networking. Press Alt + Ctrl + Delete. When task manager opens click File > New task > type explorer.exe > Press Enter. Your icons should appear. Next, click on the second link below and download Malwarebytes. Update Malwarebytes and perform a full scan. Choose to quarantine anything found. Once complete click on the third link below and download Superantispyware Portable. Perform a full scan again quarantining anything found. Reboot your computer in normal mode and perform a quick scan with Malwarebytes. Finally, click on the last link and perform a scan with Kapersky TDSS Killer.How to boot in safe modembam direct dldSuperantispy-portableTdss Killer direrct downloadI don't vote for myself I'm not here for the points. If this post helps you, vote. Visit my forum @ http://repairbotsonline.com/

Kaspersky did it. Thier rescue utility mounts an .iso virus prg onto a usb flash, & even has it's own browser. The scan found 15 viruses, & 63 other malware... Ironic, my issue was indirectly caused by my own Kaspersky's virus definition subscription expiring 6 months ago. I wouldn't have guess they'd have a rescue disk for free.My new problem is that I'm locked out (except in safe mode). It asks me for an Administrator password (I've never had a password, & never even been prompted for one). I guess it has something to do with the repair install I tried, my desktop is wiped & start menu has no icons, but all the prgs are there in the programs folder...I'll start a new thread for the password issue. THX for the advise folks! Happy Holidays!No need to start a new thread. There are additional scans you need to perform. If those scans do not remove the password issue then we can't help you on this forum. I doubt seriously if the Kapersky removed all the threats. Follow the instructions below.Reboot the computer in safe mode with networking. Click on the second link below and download Malwarebytes. Update Malwarebytes and perform a full scan. Choose to quarantine anything found. Once complete click on the third link below and download Superantispyware Portable. Perform a full scan again quarantining anything found. Reboot your computer in normal mode and perform a quick scan with Malwarebytes. Finally, click on the last link and perform a scan with Kapersky TDSS Killer.How to boot in safe modembam direct dldSuperantispy-portableTdss Killer direrct downloadI don't vote for myself I'm not here for the points. If this post helps you, vote. Visit my forum @ http://repairbotsonline.com/

Yep, you were right Joel, I still got garbage on my drive, & one is an annoying redirect that won't let me visit any sites other than more malware ____. I took a back way into Malwarebytes site via a cache link from a search result, but was redirected again when I clicked the download link... & worst of all, the original malware that contains the boot sector virus is still here. At least I'm on my desktop... OK, I just stayed in safe mode & keep using my USB flash drive as a conduit for the scan software you recommended. Found a ton of trash that Spybot & AdAware didn't see... My saving grace was the fact I have a couple other computers here (woulda been screwed otherwise).This has been one of the most tenacious bugs I've had in a while, but everything seems good now... Looks like I may have to reinstall a few programs due to registry changes from the repair install, cleaning programs, or corruption damage, but all my data is here.Thx again for the advise... Oh, & can you recommend some protection software to prevent this from happning again? So many anti-malware programs out there, & most are worthless (if not dangerous). I was using Spybot & AdAware for scans, & Adwatch as a background monitor, but they aint so grand. I have Kaspersky, strictly for antivirus, but they always want more money for definition subscriptions... Just lookin' for ideas, I don't wanna go through this mess again.Forums freakin' rock.

Thx again for the advise... Oh, & can you recommend some protection software to prevent this from happning again? So many anti-malware programs out there, & most are worthless (if not dangerous). I was using Spybot & AdAware for scans, & Adwatch as a background monitor, but they aint so grand. I have Kaspersky, strictly for antivirus, but they always want more money for definition subscriptions... Just lookin' for ideas, I don't wanna go through this mess again.Forums freakin' rock.I am glad you were able to make some progress and see improvements. Some malware, especially viruses, can be very stubborn to remove. Considering the extent of the malware found on your computer I would like to see a log file from Hijack This. Unfortunately, those type log files are not permitted on this forum. However, you can create an account on the free forum on the link below and post the log file in the Virus/Malware forum and I will have a look at it. The forum is free.http://download.cnet.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.htmlFree forum : Repair-Bots OnlineSpybot used to be a fairly good scanner. I have personally never had much faith in Ad-Aware. Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware are setting the standards these days among malware scanners. Fortunately, in these times of economic stress, each have free versions.Kapersky is definitely a good anti-virus software but, as you noted, the fees can begin to add up. I choose Avast 5.0 free version. In fact, I would almost be willing to bet if you installed Avast and performed a boot-time scan you would discover additional malware. Be advised you cannot have both Avast and Kapersky installed simultaneously. This applies even if it is temporary.Avast Free Antivirus - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.comRegardless of which anit-virus software you choose. none have a 100% detection rate. Therefore, staying malware free requires a layered approach. This means a good ant-virus, a couple good malware scanners, a secure browser with the proper ad-ons like AdBlock Plus, Better Privacy, MyWOT site advisor and, perhaps the most important ingredient, sound user discretion. More on browsers and available ad-ons can be found on the link below.http://www.repairbotsonline.com/t119-which-browser-is-bestRegards,Joel I don't vote for myself I'm not here for the points. If this post helps you, vote. Visit my forum @ http://repairbotsonline.com/