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My computer recently got infected by virus but I can't reformat it. I tried different CD's but it is not really continuing. What do you think is the problem? Thanks!

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The symptoms describes — a fake scanner window that takes over, inability to use the OS, and a reinstall that hangs — can come from two separate problems at once: active malware (often a fake/“scareware” scanner) and a failing disk that can’t sustain heavy I/O. As and suggested, treat the infection seriously, but also treat the drive as fragile and preserve data before doing anything destructive.

A safe triage sequence: do not keep forcing the reinstall. Boot the machine from known-clean external media (a Linux live USB or a Windows PE/rescue stick) and copy any important files to an external drive right away. From that clean environment run a memory test (memtest86+) to rule out RAM faults, then read the drive’s S.M.A.R.T. data (using a tool appropriate to your OS) and look for growing values for reallocated sectors, pending sectors, or CRC errors — those are strong indicators of hardware failure. If you can, attach the disk to another machine or use a different SATA/power cable to rule out a bad cable or port.

Practical signs that mean “replace the disk”: repeated installer hangs at the same point, audible clicking/grinding, rapidly increasing S.M.A.R.T. error counts, or frequent file corruption. If S.M.A.R.T. looks clean but the machine is locked by fake antivirus, use an offline rescue scanner from clean media to remove the infection before attempting a wipe or reinstall. If the data is critical and the drive shows physical failure, stop and consult a professional recovery service.

Quick checklist:

  • Back up important files now from a clean boot environment.
  • Run memtest and a S.M.A.R.T. short/extended check.
  • Try the drive in another PC or swap cables/ports.
  • If S.M.A.R.T. shows reallocated/pending/unreadable sectors, replace the drive and restore from backup; otherwise clean the infection from offline media and reinstall.

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All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for clarissadave

My computer recently got infected by virus but I can't reformat it. I tried different CD's but it is not really continuing. What do you think is the problem? Thanks!

commented: waste of space -4
Member Avatar for crunchie

Are you going to reply, or just quote the OP?

commented: Good point +10
Member Avatar for flagstar

Have -2 votes already even when he was OP and ask the right thing?? Weird...

Back to topic, can you explain your problem in a little more bit detail on the process you were doing now?

Member Avatar for crunchie

I doubt he will. Time will tell.

Member Avatar for iAssistant

Everytime I open my computer, there is a window that will pop out and scan my whole system like an anti-virus but it isn't my anti-virus and I can't use my computer. I can't even reformat it because in the middle of reformatting, it hangs. I only suspect that apart from the virus. I also have a problem with my hard disk but I want to be certain before I change it. I wish I could get help here. Thanks!

Have -2 votes already even when he was OP and ask the right thing?? Weird...

Back to topic, can you explain your problem in a little more bit detail on the process you were doing now?

Member Avatar for jingda

Have -2 votes already even when he was OP and ask the right thing?? Weird...

Back to topic, can you explain your problem in a little more bit detail on the process you were doing now?

The poster have spam links in his signature. That is maybe the reason he got down voted.

@ iAssistant

First thing. Don't always reformat your computer when you have a virus. Do what crunchie said and post in the Virus, Spyware and other Nasties forum. Experts there will help you to remove the virus.

Second point. Your thread topic is not related to your thread. If you want to diagnose your hard disk problem, you can always run chkdsk in your command or use seatool athough there are more softwares. In this case it is different you got a virus instead.

Edited by jingda because: n/a
commented: damn straight +17
Member Avatar for iAssistant

Thanks for the advice. I will try chkdsk and Google the steps.

The poster have spam links in his signature. That is maybe the reason he got down voted.

@ iAssistant

First thing. Don't always reformat your computer when you have a virus. Do what crunchie said and post in the Virus, Spyware and other Nasties forum. Experts there will help you to remove the virus.

Second point. Your thread topic is not related to your thread. If you want to diagnose your hard disk problem, you can always run chkdsk in your command or use seatool athough there are more softwares. In this case it is different you got a virus instead.

Member Avatar for jingda

But that is for checking whether your hard disk got problem. From your first post, it seems you got a virus problem. Have you solved the virus problem?

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