Windows 7: Problems with Removable drives (thumb drivers/DVD-ROM, everything)

r4fay · 08 Apr 2011

Hey guys, I'm so frustrated right now! These problems have been occurring since a month. I can't read any DVDs/CDs via DVD-ROM. My computer won't pick up any external-HDD, USB flash drives, nothing. This has been pissing me off since a month and I finally considered of reinstalling the Windows and I did just now, BUT THE PROBLEMS ARE STILL THERE?

Computer doesn't reads removable storages devices. Sometimes, they wouldn't even show up. The DVD-ROM says that 'please insert disk" while it's in there.
I've Windows 7 32-bit, which I just installed at the moment.
I guess it's a hardware problem but not exactly sure. Would you guys help? All these dvds/cds/flash-drivers/external-hdds are fine and work with my other systems.

Please help me out, I'm done with this.

Mike Connor · 08 Apr 2011

First of all, check that malware is not affecting your system. Download the free version of this;

Malwarebytes

Run a FULL scan, and if it finds anything post the log here.

Regards....Mike Connor

r4fay · 08 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Mike Connor

First of all, check that malware is not affecting your system. Download the free version of this;

Malwarebytes

Run a FULL scan, and if it finds anything post the log here.

Regards....Mike Connor

Thanks for the quick response.

The scan is running right now and I'll post the results after it's done but I have a question in my mind. How could be there any malware in my computer if I just freshly installed the Windows.

Mike Connor · 08 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by r4fay

How could be there any malware in my computer if I just freshly installed the Windows.

That's a very good question. First of all I thought you might have a hardware problem of some sort, but it is unlikely that a hardware problem would affect ALL your systems running external devices. It is possible, but unlikely. If the scan does not show anything, we can move on to other diagnostics.

Sensible diagnostics are impossible if malware is causing the problems, so it is best to eliminate that possibility first.

r4fay · 08 Apr 2011

You are right, (lol). Malwarebytes actually picked 3 malwares (so far) which were in my other partitions.

Mike Connor · 08 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by r4fay

You are right, (lol). Malwarebytes actually picked 3 malwares (so far) which were in my other partitions.

In which case any further diagnostics are pointless, because it is impossible to know what damage the malware may have caused and what it has affected.

You can remove the malware using Malwarebytes, but it won't repair the damage caused.

Remove the Malware. Be aware that nothing is ever 100% and Malwarebytes can not guarantee to remove every malware on your system.

If you run this as well;

SUPERAntiSpyware.com | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!

Then you have a reasonable chance of removing it all.

Once you have removed it, then do a clean re-install of Windows. And immediately afterwards make a baseline image of the installation.

Regards....Mike Connor

r4fay · 08 Apr 2011

Okay so here are the logs.

Code:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 6315

Windows 6.1.7600
Internet Explorer 8.0.7600.16385

4/9/2011 2:18:29 AM
mbam-log-2011-04-09 (02-18-24).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|E:\|G:\|)
Objects scanned: 313221
Time elapsed: 18 minute(s), 47 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 5

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
d:\BACKUP!\downloads\bla bla (RiskWare.Tool.CK) -> No action taken.
d:\BACKUP!\bla bla (RiskWare.Tool.CK) -> No action taken.
e:\program files\bla bla (Trojan.Agent.CK) -> No action taken.
e:\program files\bla bla (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> No action taken.
g:\move to hdd\bla bla (Malware.Packer.Gen) -> No action taken.

Bad stuff right? D:

EDIT: What is possible damage done by a malware?
I removed the malwares found by Malwarebytes.
Could you please explain what do you mean by " immediately afterwards make a baseline image of the installation." (bad engrish).

Mike Connor · 08 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by r4fay

Bad stuff right? D:

Indeed. Get rid of it all using the programs I gave you links to above, and re-install windows.

To be absolutely certain, I would backup those partitions, and then delete them before installing Windows. But that is up to you. You might be safe enough just removing what those two programs find.

You might also like to read this;

The time has come the walrus said......

Sorry it was such bad news.

Regards....Mike Connor

Mike Connor · 08 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by r4fay

EDIT: What is possible damage done by a malware?
I removed the malwares found by Malwarebytes.
Could you please explain what do you mean by " immediately afterwards make a baseline image of the installation." (bad engrish).

Various malware can affect all sorts of things, usually system files are infected, registry keys manipulated, drivers changed, some is spyware designed to ferret out information, some tries to take over your PC and use it as part of a botnet, and lots of other things. Some is just to annoy you.

It really doesn't make much difference, because the only way to get things running properly again is to re-install a clean system.

A "baseline" image is an image you use to re-install windows to its basic installed state by simply restoring the image. You can declare any particular image as a "baseline", it simply means "where you start from".

Regards....Mike Connor

r4fay · 08 Apr 2011

Thanks Mike for such great information and support. And yes, I do have backups of my stuff on the cloud and on physical drives. Let's make this clear, point me out if I'm wrong before I do a re-install again.

So, I'm supposed to run another software and see what it detects and then hit the delete button. After that, I've make a good backup of my stuff and clear all those partitions. Once I'm done cleaning the malware, I've to re-install my Windows (via the only single thumb-drive that works) and take care not be affected again next time.

But it will solve my removable devices problems which I stated above? I mean, what we are doing now is cleaning the bad stuff.

Edit: I would also like to ask which Anti-virus software you will suggest? I've been Microsoft Security Essentials for 1.5 years but I want your suggestions on best software.

Windows 7: Problems with Removable drives (thumb drivers/DVD-ROM, everything)

Problems with Removable drives (thumb drivers/DVD-ROM, everything) problems?