[WINDOWS PROBLEM] No programs are opening

[dashing.sujay]

^^ Did you go through that help page of kaspersky ? Did you download the image from kaspersky site? I really dont know what could be the problem behind cd not booting. Anyways, the last option left is Linux thing, except full format(which is not an option here). Go ahead and tell us what happens.

And yeah, of course your ext hdd will for sure be affected. But you can scan it with a good AV such as KAV after you do a fresh install with full format. But why to take risk, first try linux method, if it fails, then back up the data.

 

[Sarath]

About the kapersky rescue disk. I have followed everything to the point. yet it doesn't boot on any of my PCs so I must have done something wrong.

Is there a special program to create bootable disks. I did not use any burning SW; I used the windows default method of burning by simply "right-clicking" and selecting "send to DVD drive" and then go to the DVD in My Computer and hit burn file.

If the method is right then I have no idea why it is not booting. I will try one last time.

Right now I am trying to install that Kapersky SW link you gave me up there. I will try installing that and run a scan.

If that fails then I will try the Linux method you guys suggested. Although honestly I didn't really understand that part. But more on that later.

If all fails then I will copy a few important files and do a clean (and painful) OS install.

 

[dashing.sujay]

I used the windows default method of burning by simply "right-clicking" and selecting "send to DVD drive" and then go to the DVD in My Computer and hit burn file.

This seems doubtful. I'm not sure, but hell, you tried 12 times, and you never did this once with nero? Give it a try for sure, and I'm pretty sure this is the reason why your cd wasn't able to boot up. BTW you can make any easy cd bootable through nero. Option is there. Also, you can make a pen drive bootable. I suggest you to make a spare 1GB/2GB/any small size mem card with Hiren's boot cd installed on it. It helps a LOT. Plus no tention to boot. I have done this to tackle with any emergency case.
As for Kaspersky virus removal tool, do run it safe mode only. Although i guess the scanning will take a hell lot time. But safe mode is only option to go.

PS- There's nothing coplex with linux thing. Just boot with any live distro, and scan/back up all the files. Linux is very robust against viruses.

 

[Sarath]

I installed and ran the virus scan without going into safe mode. Only about 2% has commenced; should I reboot into safe mode and re-run the scan?

Ah yes I sucessfully installed Kap virus removal tool.

I will try downloading something like free iso burner etc and try it. this laptop is very low on space so can't install a lot of SWares.

I am going to burn a DVD-RW using iso burner or something similar.

Thanks a million again,

 

[dashing.sujay]

Do scan strictly in safe mode! As it will keep you more on the safe side. And beware, kaspersky's scanning is a bit slow, so it will take a min of 1 hr. And yeah, you can use any soft to burn ISO like ultraISO or anything.

 

[s18000rpm]

that KAV rescue disk come in ISO format (image file), so you HAVE to burn it in "Create/Burn Images" mode
Windows 7 can burn that format, but simply sending the image file DVD -burning it doesn't work.
If scanning in Safe Mode also takes a lot of time, then re write the KAV Rescue Disk as an image file, & run boot scan
Use this for that - The Official ImgBurn Website

 

[dashing.sujay]

^^Scanning through KAV rescue disk will take only marginally less time. Although its a better option.

 

[Tech&ME]

I don't understand one thing which is going on here.

1. What is the use of KEEPING / RESTORING a badly infected installation of Windows ?

2. Why can't you use LINUX to take a full backup of your important files ?

3. Why can't you install windows a fresh ?

 

[s18000rpm]

3. important data in OS drive

 

[Neuron]

Do try sfc/scannow.Also try creating a new user account.

 

[Sarath]

I just ran and completed the scan through the Kaspersky Rescue disk (boot disk) [yeah, finally made a bootable disk using "ultraiso"] and it says no viruses were detected.
The database shows to be the latest as 25/9/2011.
The scan took a little over 2-3 hours.

I read the walkthrough here Using Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 – A Quick Walkthrough | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

I want to know if I can use this rescue disk's in-built file manager to back up my files without the risk of virus spread.

The Integrated file manager will allow you to access the hard drive/s – as the following screen capture shows. As a last resort (if it comes to that), you will be able to save your important files (any file for that matter), using this tool.

However the next step is to backup all my important files. I don't know exactly what this means "2. Why can't you use LINUX to take a full backup of your important files ?". I understand that I have to use a similar Linux bootable disk to backup all my files. However will it prevent infection spread into the backup drive like CDs or HDDs?
I am moving on to this step now.

I did not do a fresh install as there is a lot of data that I need to backup. I am trying to avoid a fresh install since the process of installing all drivers is tedious. But I will do it as need arises and it seems like it has. I will study about how to use the Linux live DVD and figure it out.
Can someone suggest me a place (link) where I can find the Linux SW. I know there are a lot of options and google will pamper me with choices but I would like to use one that my friends here have experience with.

Thanks a lot to everyone for helping me out.

 

[Neuron]

Did you try creating a new user account?

 

[Sarath]

^Why exactly is that needed?

There are no users in my PC. The one by default is the Administer account with all privileges.

My PC is a sitting duck now. I am awaiting for people to respond so that I can safely move forward.

 

[Neuron]

Viruses may change the default way your applications are executed.These values remain even after the virus is removed.The newly created user account will not have this problem.

 

[Sarath]

Should I make a new normal account or Administrator account? Does it matter?

 

[Neuron]

Any of them will do.

 

[Liverpool_fan]

I don't understand one thing which is going on here.

1. What is the use of KEEPING / RESTORING a badly infected installation of Windows ?

2. Why can't you use LINUX to take a full backup of your important files ?

3. Why can't you install windows a fresh ?

This.

It would take far less effort to do these steps then going all the way to repair a messed up Windows installation. Even worse there's no fun or sense of accomplishment in actually repairing a broken windows installation, so what's the point?

Can someone suggest me a place (link) where I can find the Linux SW. I know there are a lot of options and google will pamper me with choices but I would like to use one that my friends here have experience with.

Download | Ubuntu
Create a Live USB.

It's always a good idea to keep a Live Ubuntu CD/USB. Will always be handy, regardless whether you use Windows, Linux, or OS X as your full time OS.

 

[Sarath]

I have no issues with re-installing the OS. I am more worried up about backing up a few important files. My last backup was a few months ago so a lot of critical data sits only on my PC.

Next step is backing up using Linux or other means.

After that fresh install. Like I said, I didn't want to do this but its unavoidable now and hence I am going for it. My primary area of contention has always been the data thats too important to me.

 

[coderunknown]

@Sarath, can you check what files were deleted by avast? there should be a scan log. cause it may turn out to be just another windows problem than virus infection.

i am not ruling out the possibility of it being a virus. try McAfee AVERT Stinger. as it doesn't need to be installed, it may clean viruses even if flase positive is on the higher side.

 

[Sarath]

^ I just did a 3 hour scan from kaspersky. Is McAfee better than that?

I am DLing the Ubuntu file and would boot from it to transfer files. Can some please answer about the file transfer, is it safe and infection free in Ubuntu? The HDD wont be infected right?

@Sam: I can't find the scan log anywhere. however there is a list with 2 viruses listed with a date of few months ago. Nothing anywhere near today.
Also the number of infected files this week shows "zero"
Also a scan from kaspersky found no viruses.

Whether there is a virus or not, I am thinking of going for a complete overhaul. I don't think I am capable of fixing it even if it can be, nor can I put in too much of my resources into it. I think a vanilla installation would be much better at this point.