BleepingComputer.com: 7B Error Then Blank Screen After XP Antivirus 2012 Removal

Hello,

One of my XP Pro computers got infected with the "XP Antivirus 2012" malware. I had followed the instructions to remove a "XP Antivirus 2012" infection (Removal Procedure). After a scan and removal, Malwarebytes informed me that I needed to restart to finish cleaning the system. The restart gave me a BSOD 7B error and now it only starts up with a blinking underscore cursor in the upper left. Currently I'm running a ChkDsk /r via the repeir console. From what I've read on the Net, I'm doubtful that this will help. Could someone please give some pointers as to where to proceede from here?

Thanks!

Chris

Black screen/blinking cursor is typically indicative of problem with XP boot files...I would try the fixmbr command from the XP Recovery Console, after chkdsk /r completes.

Before doing that...I would enter the BIOS and ensure that the hard drive is the first boot device...and no USB external drives are on.

Black Screen (fixmbr) - http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;314503

Black screen on boot (no cursor) - Microsoft Answers - http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-hardware/black-screen-on-boot-no-cursor/892d155a-aadb-4e54-8e59-edf98b0ed020

Louis

Hi Louis,
Thank you for your response. I started to use the FIXMBR command but the tool encountered an "unusual" MBR record. I decided to stop the repair process and called DELL (which was a mistake IMHO) and they are going to replace the HDD. Do you or anyone else have an idea what else I can try before the HDD arrives?

T. I. A.

Chris

More info...

Dells and Fixmbr Command - http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/p/19304465/19589396.aspx

Louis

Someone on that forum suggested to copy a MBR from a similar computer. Do you know how to go about doing that?

Chris

I don't own any Dell (or other OEM manufacturer) systems.

I honestly cannot see that an MBR from a different system...would assist you, but I'm not the smartest person in the world . The MBR for System A...is not going to be the same as that for System B, as I understand what an MBR is. The fact that Dell employs a nonstandard boot cofiguration...doesn't make it likely that one MBR fits all Dell systems, IMO.

http://www.dewassoc.com/kbase/hard_drives/master_boot_record.htm

Perhaps your Dell forum can provide that type of info...or an email to the person who suggested such.

Louis

Ok well I have an imaged drive from Dell. I'm just going to start from the ground up. Any further work would be more for education and experience. Thank you once again for responding and providing some pointers.

Chris

Happy computing .

Louis