rebooting loop after malwarebytes use

[bernie963]

hi, new to this forum.

Yesterday I updated and ran the following programs on a backup computer. avira, ccleaner, superantispyware and malwarebytes. after each run all was well untill I got to malwarebytes.

Malware took over 4 hrs to run, found 10 items and wanted me to reboot to clean the 10 items.

upon restart the machine got to the w ep splash page and rebooted automatically. it continued to do that until i powered it down manually.

If I start it in safe mode it also does the auto reboot. If I hit f2 I can get into the bios.

the machine is an old PIII micron running Wxp professional. this is the first problem I have had w this machine.

Any suggestions?? thanks, Bernie

[LDTate]

Sorry you're having these issues.

It sounds to me like you were infected with a Master Boot Record infection.

We have been seeing a lot of those the last few months.

Yesterday I updated and ran the following programs on a backup computer

You have some options to try.

1. If you have your Windows XP Pro CD, you can boot from the CD and try to fix the MBR or a repair install.

2. If you have important data on that drive, you can remove the HD and slave it in another pc and save the data.

[bernie963]

Sorry you're having these issues.

It sounds to me like you were infected with a Master Boot Record infection.

We have been seeing a lot of those the last few months.

You have some options to try.

1. If you have your Windows XP Pro CD, you can boot from the CD and try to fix the MBR or a repair install.

2. If you have important data on that drive, you can remove the HD and slave it in another pc and save the data.

[bernie963]

thanks, I will find the xp disk. I will not be able to do anything untill monday. this sounds like the problem that "tduro" has, a few posts above mine. If I remember correctly the message was the same or very similar about he image. If I can find it tomorrow I will post back before Monday.

Again, thanks. bernie

[LDTate]

Let me know

[bernie963]

Hi, I have found my copy of xp. it is not the one used on the infected computer. Plz advise as what to do next.

tnx,

bernie

[LDTate]

1. If you have your Windows XP Pro CD, you can boot from the CD and try to fix the MBR or a repair install.

2. If you have important data on that drive, you can remove the HD and slave it in another pc and save the data.

http://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/fix-mbr-xp-vista/

Put the CD in the CD drive and reboot taping the F12 key at the Windows splash screen to boot from the CD.

Select the R option to repair..

At the command prompt type in: fixmbr

[bernie963]

1. If you have your Windows XP Pro CD, you can boot from the CD and try to fix the MBR or a repair install.

2. If you have important data on that drive, you can remove the HD and slave it in another pc and save the data.

http://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/fix-mbr-xp-vista/

Put the CD in the CD drive and reboot taping the F12 key at the Windows splash screen to boot from the CD.

Select the R option to repair..

At the command prompt type in: fixmbr

[bernie963]

hi, completed steps as you outlined. after typing fixmbr, nothing happened. so i hit the enter button. the following message appeared

"this computer appears to have a non-standare or invalid master boot record....." " are you sure you want to write a new MBR?"

do I hit "enter" or "y" or "what"?

[LDTate]

Well it's not booting now so you don't have much to lose.

If it we're my pc, I'd select Yes (Y)

After fixmbr I'd also run fixboot

[bernie963]

Well it's not booting now so you don't have much to lose.

If it we're my pc, I'd select Yes (Y)

After fixmbr I'd also run fixboot

[bernie963]

wow, LD, that was fast (your reply)

I hit "Y" and enter.

new master boot record has been successfully written.

"C:\windows>"

now what?

[LDTate]

run fixboot

and restart the computer and see if it works.

[bernie963]

run fixboot

and restart the computer and see if it works.

[bernie963]

how do i run fixboot? do i just type fixboot at the windows c prompt?

when i reboot, do i remove the wxp disk before reboot?

thanks for such quick replys, timming is everything

bernie

[LDTate]

At: C:\windows> type in: Fixboot (tap enter)

select (Y) yes (tap enter)

At: C:\windows> type in Exit and it should try to restart

[bernie963]

At: C:\windows> type in: Fixboot (tap enter)

select (Y) yes (tap enter)

At: C:\windows> type in Exit and it should try to restart

[bernie963]

hi TD,

still the same problem, with or without the xp disk in cd drive. constant restarts after the windows splash page. I will have to leave shortly, are there any special shut down instructions? or should i just power down as i had to in the past since this problem started, hold the power button in.

thanks,

bernie

[LDTate]

Just power it down

[bernie963]

hi LD,

I am back. what do we do next??

bernie

[LDTate]

Go back into the recovery console and at the C:\Windows type in: chkdsk /f

Note the space between k / it needs to be there.

Let it do it's thing

[bernie963]

I am getting a message "the parameter is not valid" i am going to try again

[LDTate]

chkdsk (space) /f

[bernie963]

correct chkdsk(space)/f

[LDTate]

Try it from:

C:\windows\system32

You'll have to type in CD system32 (tap enter) if you're at C:\windows