BleepingComputer.com: Trouble reinstalling windows

The guys over at the Malware removal forums told me to post over here for help reinstalling windows. I guess I have some malware that can't be safely removed. Here's a link to the topic: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/top...ml#entry1501848.

Basically when I try to launch XP recovery console, or boot to my windows CD, I get BSOD. Help please.

Hi .

"Though the backdoor has been identified and can be killed, because of it's backdoor functionality, your PC is very likely compromised and there is no way to be sure your computer can ever again be trusted. It is dangerous and incorrect to assume the computer is secure even if the malware appears to have been removed. Many experts in the security community believe that once infected with such a piece of malware, the best course of action would be a reformat and clean reinstall of the OS. This is something I don't like to recommend normally, but in most cases it is the best solution for your safety."

Quote by htv8, HJT Forum.

The first thing you need to do is delete your current install...the Recovery Console is not an option, as I read things, so I really don't know why you tried to access it. What is suggested is known as a clean install.

System manufacturer and model?

Do you have a Microsoft Genuine XP CD...or do you have restore/recovery CDs provided by the manufacturer of your system?

References, please read and ask (now) any questions you may have:

XP Clean Install, Stevens - http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Clean Install Procedure with Illustrative Screen Captures - http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htm

Do not elect to do a quick format when asked, do the regular format, Differences between a Quick format and a regular format during a clean installation of Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302686

Louis

I have done many clean installs of XP in the past before. What is hindering me here is the BSOD. I tried the recovery console to see if I could get anything to work while I was booting up.

System: Dell Dimension 9150.

I do have a geniune XP SP1 cd that I can use to install.

In that case...change the BIOS boot options to CD, then boot from the CD.

What is the BSOD message that occurs?

The only things that can possibly prompt a BSOD at that point...would be an inability by the optical drive to read the CD...a bad optical drive...or a bad hard drive, assuming that there is nothing wrong with other components.

BSODs are often sparked by drivers which load when booting into Windows. We are not doing that, so please post the exact content of any error message.

Louis

Ok I am able to boot with the CD, and it goes to the blue Windows Setup screen. Proceeds to load a bunch of stuff from the CD.

BSOD stop code: 0x0000007E. Then it complains about pci.sys and gives a bunch more addresses.

I did add a second hard drive about a year ago, and I don't think I've been able to/tried to format since then.

Ok I am able to boot with the CD, and it goes to the blue Windows Setup screen. Proceeds to load a bunch of stuff from the CD.

BSOD stop code: 0x0000007E. Then it complains about pci.sys and gives a bunch more addresses.

I did add a second hard drive about a year ago, and I don't think I've been able to/tried to format since then.

Please temporarily disconnect...all drives other than the one you intend to install XP on...this includes external and flash drives.

Having additional drives attached adds nothing to the install effort and, on occasion, can sidetrack install efforts.

If you have a Microsoft OEM/System Builder version of XP on that CD...it expects to find one hard drive attached.

Louis

You might also clean your CD with plain water and a soft cotton cloth, rubbing in vertical/horizontal strokes (non-circular motion).

I think that the Dell Dimension 9150 has a SATA hard drive. In which case you need to wait until you see "Press F6 if you need to install a third party SCSI or RAID driver" on the bottom of the screen. Then you press F6 and load the SATA driver.

Ok I have disconnected my extra drive. No luck. Cleaning the CD seems to do nothing either.

I did push F6 when installing, but nothing seemed to happen.

Have you tried reinstalling Windows with the original Dell CD?

Yes. I'm at my wits end.

Just so I understand - you tried two different disks?

(1) a Microsoft XP CD
(2) the Dell XP CD

Budapest, on Nov 22 2009, 05:56 PM, said:

Yes. Problem is they're both SP1 Discs. (I think).

I followed the instructions in this link http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm and I got further into the windows setup. However when I try to actually enter the setup, it tells me that it could not find any hard disk drives installed in my computer. And it tells me setup cannot continue. I know I have a hard drive.

I know you can push F6 to install the proper drivers before this point, but I can't figure out where those would be. I'll have to dig around to find them.

At least I feel a tad bit closer.

I would have thought that the Dell CD that came with the computer would have the correct drivers on it.

Have you modified the hardware on the computer since it was purchased?

Yeah I added a second hard drive. And everything related to that seems to be working fine. Maybe disconnecting it during this process would help?