veryfew1
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Windows XP unresponsive - takes 30 minutes to boot in all modes
Windows XP hangs on logon screen in all modes. Eventually it loads after about 30 minutes but is unresponsive - cpu memory and disk all seem to be working fine - so seems like its a virus/malware/spyware .
Found some virus files when putting hd into another computer w32 stration. Managed to delete them. Also found suspicious ifcconf.exe is startup RUN in regostry and deleted. When I try and open eventviewer - which opens after a long time - I cannot open any event as I get the error the RPC Server could not be contacted. Also services comes up with an error .
Please note that the system is basically unusable.
Anything you can suggest before I go ahead with a repair/reinstall
Many thanks
Found some virus files when putting hd into another computer w32 stration. Managed to delete them. Also found suspicious ifcconf.exe is startup RUN in regostry and deleted. When I try and open eventviewer - which opens after a long time - I cannot open any event as I get the error the RPC Server could not be contacted. Also services comes up with an error .
Please note that the system is basically unusable.
Anything you can suggest before I go ahead with a repair/reinstall
Many thanks
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www.ultimatebootcd.com
has some good hardware diagnostic programs, wouldn't hurt to check your ram, cpu, and hd first.
has some good hardware diagnostic programs, wouldn't hurt to check your ram, cpu, and hd first.
ASKER
No Peripherals - cpu and RAM fine as swapped disk into another computer and same issue - will test the hd - though dont think this is the issue.
do you need any more info from us?
while I do agree with the the comments Ryan_R made I do need to inform u that if u reinstall or repair install it would be in your best intrest to pullthe ram and the cmos battery. Virus and worms have been known to stay resident in the ram and cmos chip. this is why u need to cut all power to the mobo ie power cord and battery and pull the ram and let sit for 10 minutes.
also you yourself have I dentified a worm that need that spreads through email and also is network aware.
with this said u need to unplug from network and internet untill this is rectified.
with this said u need to unplug from network and internet untill this is rectified.
bgbeer - hi again! I've never heard of such a persistant virus! :-o
do you have any links on this?
do you have any links on this?
http://www.sophos.co.uk/security/analyses/w32strationag.html
http://www.myitforum.com/forums/m_20452/tm.htm
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-517478.html
worms are computer viruses that use network connections to spread themselves to any connected computer. Normally, viruses are spread along with an infected program, which could be as fast as e-mail or as slow as a floppy disk being passed between two people.
http://www.myitforum.com/forums/m_20452/tm.htm
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-517478.html
worms are computer viruses that use network connections to spread themselves to any connected computer. Normally, viruses are spread along with an infected program, which could be as fast as e-mail or as slow as a floppy disk being passed between two people.
sorry bgbeer - i meant the ones that store themselves in ram and cmos, etc
i know about viruses spreading over the network and email :)
i know about viruses spreading over the network and email :)
ASKER
Thanks for your efforts - I did a reinstall. Actually as I said I was looking for a solution that would not involve reinstall/repair
actually you said:
>>Anything you can suggest before I go ahead with a repair/reinstall<<
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as you probably worked out - in your case there was nothing worth doing as an alternative to clean reinstall of windows. there are also suggestions that should help you avoid that situation in the future.
Glad everything's back to normal
>>Anything you can suggest before I go ahead with a repair/reinstall<<
----------
as you probably worked out - in your case there was nothing worth doing as an alternative to clean reinstall of windows. there are also suggestions that should help you avoid that situation in the future.
Glad everything's back to normal
http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Boot-Sector-Virus
It's not unusual for a boot disk virus to be hiding in your computer's BIOS chip also! In some cases there is a "volatile" memory contained on the BIOS chip which can be erased by taking out the motherboard battery.
http://viruscenter.freedom.net/html/glossary.html
CMOS: Complimentary Metal Oxide Semi-Conductor. Critical configuration information is stored in CMOS. Some viruses attempt to alter this data.
Tunneling: Viruses that use tunneling techniques redirect all hard drive calls between their location in RAM and the operating system. This allows them to bypass any anti-viral products in memory at that time.
It's not unusual for a boot disk virus to be hiding in your computer's BIOS chip also! In some cases there is a "volatile" memory contained on the BIOS chip which can be erased by taking out the motherboard battery.
http://viruscenter.freedom.net/html/glossary.html
CMOS: Complimentary Metal Oxide Semi-Conductor. Critical configuration information is stored in CMOS. Some viruses attempt to alter this data.
Tunneling: Viruses that use tunneling techniques redirect all hard drive calls between their location in RAM and the operating system. This allows them to bypass any anti-viral products in memory at that time.
SOLUTION
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I had the same problem being caused by a USB Zip drive.
I removed it and the system returned to normal.