Windows XP Pro Caught in Boot Loop after cleaning out virus

Hey guys. I recently cleaned out a virus with your help but after installing AVG 2011 on two computers both went down to the BSOD and the error message "we apologize for the inconvenience ,but windows did not start successfully. a recent hardware or software change might have caused this. ..." I did a clean install on one computer but am hoping to avoid this on the other. I've noticed that an AVG 11 update has been wrecking havoc on Windows 7 users and am wondering if it could have done the same to Windows XP Pro? Any help would be appreciated.

Best,

Steve

Sit tight: An experienced member of the Malware Response Team will be along to assist you.

Great - thank you.

Got the system to boot up (used the last configuration that worked) and uninstalled AVG 11. Now I'm wondering if I should just sit tight and wait or try to figure out if there's something else in my system that made it crash? I'm a bit concerned because although AVG 11 seems like the likely culprit the last update that caused the problems effected Windows 7 and Vista 64 bit users: I'm running Windows XP Pro 32 bit.

Best,

Steve

Hi Steve, I'm glad to hear that things are fine now.

It is possible that AVG caused this problem. Do you have any problem with your computer that makes you think it is infected?

Hi Elese

Thanks for responding. I'd just finished cleaning out a couple of viruses (with a BC monintor and then using a BC tutorial) and then I bought the latest version of AVG (2011) for three computers (since I have another computer in the city and my wife uses her laptop there also). When I went back to the city I installed AVG on both computers there, and that's when my Windows XP apartment computer got caught in the boot loop. When I went back to the house to get my Windows XP Pro system (the one we're talking about in this thread) so I could get some work done this week, it had the same BSOD message the apartment computer had.

To recap:

House Computer Windows XP Pro Cleaned out Malware Installed AVG 11 Free Rebooted Caught in Boot Loop Fixed
Apt. Computer Windows XP Home Cleaned out Malware Installed AVG 11 Paid Rebooted Caught in Boot Loop No fix; clean install
Wife's Lapop Windows XP Pro Cleaned out Malware Installed AVG 11 Paid No reboot Uninstalled AVG 11 No problems

The house computer rebooted successfully when I switched to the last known configuration that worked; I tried AVG's fix on the Apt. computer but it didn't work - so I did a clean Windows XP Home install and am currently loading software and drivers, ad infinitum...

As I said to the other monitor, at least now my systems will run faster and I'll learn how to do system restore points and how to mirror system drives! Pain is a wonderful teacher.

Just wondering, though, if AVG 11 is safe to reinstall? Currently running Avast! free and MSE as my AV softwares.

Best,

Steve

Hi Steve, first and for all, you only need to have one AV installed at a time. Since you bought AVG, I'd recommend to reinstall the other two (avast and MSSE) and then try again.

The reason for this is that if both products have their automatic (Real-Time) protection switched on, then those products which do not encrypt the virus strings within them can cause other anti virus products to cause "false alarms". It can also lead to a clash as both products fight for access to files which are opened again this is the resident/automatic protection. In general terms, the two programs may conflict and cause:

• False Alarms: When the anti virus software tells you that your PC has a virus when it actually doesn't.
• System Performance Problems: Your system may lock up due to both products attempting to access the same file at the same time.

If, even after uninstalling all other AV's and after reinstalling AVG you still have problems, I recommend you to contact AVG, since you have the paid version you should get some support from them with this specific problem.

Elese,

Thank you. What I said above was unclear: Avast! on one computer, MSE on the other. I did a search for free AV's and decided to try MSE on the home computer to see if I liked it.

Sorry for the confusion. You're right - since I paid for AVG I should be able to reinstall it on all three in the near future. Web searchs for (e.g.) "is it safe to reinstall AVG 11 after problem?" Or "AVG 11 update problem fixed?" don't turn up any information, so I guess I should just call them and take their word for it.

Best,

Steve