[user169]

Just two simple questions. How do I reinstall Windows XP? (by the way if it matters....i dont have my original cd so im buying another)
And this will completely clean the computer right? Because its currently loaded w/ malware/viruses.

Thanks.

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There are some root-kits that will not be erased from your HD on a format. You might want to visit the GTG Malware section to let the Malware experts take you through the steps before you re-install Windows again. Better to know you are clean before hand.

Please go to the Malware section of this forum and follow the instructions at the top. Especially the Click Here link. That will give you several steps that will help you clean up most of all problems by yourself. If at the end of the cleanup process you are still having difficulty, and you may not be, then post a hijackthis log in THAT forum.

Please be patient as the "Malware Forum" is a very busy place and a two or three day wait is not unusual.

If you are still having problems after getting a clean bill of health from the Malware Section, please return to this thread. Please do not post a HiJackThis log in this thread unless asked to do so and then only as an attachment. To attach log, when requested, either change the .log extension to .txt, or put the log into a compressed (zipped) folder.

Please post back if your problem has been solved.

Ron

[Major Payne]

There are some root-kits that will not be erased from your HD on a format. You might want to visit the GTG Malware section to let the Malware experts take you through the steps before you re-install Windows again. Better to know you are clean before hand.

Please go to the Malware section of this forum and follow the instructions at the top. Especially the Click Here link. That will give you several steps that will help you clean up most of all problems by yourself. If at the end of the cleanup process you are still having difficulty, and you may not be, then post a hijackthis log in THAT forum.

Please be patient as the "Malware Forum" is a very busy place and a two or three day wait is not unusual.

If you are still having problems after getting a clean bill of health from the Malware Section, please return to this thread. Please do not post a HiJackThis log in this thread unless asked to do so and then only as an attachment. To attach log, when requested, either change the .log extension to .txt, or put the log into a compressed (zipped) folder.

Please post back if your problem has been solved.

Ron

[jaimejd007]

There's root-kits that stay on the computer even after a complete HDD format? OMG, that's insane. How do they do that?

-jaimejd007/Karasuhebi

[Major Payne]

Info on Rootkits.
Detecting.
Removing.

RootkitRevealer v1.71

That should answer a few of your questions.

Ron

[jaimejd007]

Read the whole Wikipedia article. So...how can root kits stay even after reformatting? That seems pretty impossible to me.

The only thing that I say that may suggest that is the root kits that go into your PCI expansion ROM. O_O

-jaimejd007/Karasuhebi

[Major Payne]

From what I understand, some reside in the boot sector which is not always overwritten.

Ron

[jaimejd007]

Well if I use a program like dBAN, would it get rid of a root kit in the boot sector?
http://dban.sourceforge.net

-jaimejd007/Karasuhebi

[Major Payne]

That I couldn't tell you not having any experience with dBAN. It does say:

...and a good way to totally clean a Microsoft Windows installation of viruses and spyware. DBAN prevents or thoroughly hinders all known techniques of hard disk forensic analysis

.

I would give it a try. If you haven't used the program before, please be sure to read the ReadMe.txt file.

Ron

Edited by Major Payne, 08 November 2007 - 11:12 PM.

[jaimejd007]

I've used it before. In fact, it's the program I always use to reformat people's HDDs. I keep a copy of the CD-R with me at all times. I was just wondering if something as extreme (extreme in the sense of over-the-top, unnecessary amount of wiping and erasing data) as dBAN would get rid of a root-kit. I don't personally have any root-kits on my computer, I'm just asking all of this to better my knowledge on root-kits on how to remove them quickly and swiftly.

-jaimejd007/Karasuhebi

[Major Payne]

There are several available apps which do root-kit specific scans. You could try a free one both before and after if you are so inclined. Then keep the best one for future use along with dBAN.

Ron

[jaimejd007]

Alright thanks for the help Ron. Is there any root-kit removal software you recommend? I was thinking of using Microsoft's own, and also AVG's.

-jaimejd007/Karasuhebi

[Major Payne]

I use mostly free stuff and RootKitRevealer from post #4 should be a good start. (Link is a DL link) Micro$oft's and AVG's should be good although I haven't used either. Just keep in mind that no one program can catch everything.

Ron

[jaimejd007]

When I said "Microsoft's own", I meant RootKitRevealer, since the link you gave was from Microsoft.com. But anyways yeah, thanks for the info and the links. ^_^

-jaimejd007/Karasuhebi

[user169]

Thanks. Problem solved in Malware forums.

[Major Payne]

Those people are great. Glad you got your problem solved.

Ron