Windows 7: virus removal from within safe mode

I've got a reallybad virus. Laptophas MSE installed and I have malwarebytes intaller on a thumb drive but can't install it because of virus. I've booted into safe mode alternate shell. What are my options from here? Can I run scans from here? Can I install malwarebytes off my thumbdrive in hed 4un itj

Hello there, eduede!

Let's see, first, you have to boot into Safe Mode with Networking for the malwarebytes to update its database, install it, update it, do a complete system scan, and the rest should be taken care of...

After the scan finishes, select the infected items, delete them, reboot your PC and you could just do another system scan, to double check that the virus is no longer infecting your PC

Cheers.

Try running Rkill, then run Malwarebytes

Rkill
Note: If your security software warns about Rkill, ignore & allow the download to continue.
Download RKill by Grinler from Here & save it to your Desktop.
Alternate download links:
Two
Three
Four

• Double click Rkill to run it
• A command window will open then disappear upon completion, this is normal
  • If this does not happen... delete the file, then download & use the next link provided
  • If it does not work, repeat the process & attempt to use one of the remaining links until the tool runs
• Do not reboot your machine until asked to do so. If no version of Rkill would run, please let me know
• When finished, Notepad will open with a log file, automatically saved at C:\rkill.log
• Copy/paste the contents of the rkill.log file in your next reply
• Leave Rkill on the Desktop unless instructed otherwise

well i accidently booted into the Safe Mode minimal (alternate shell) so everything is command line. What are the command line commands for running Malicious Software Removal Tool?

I'd suggest reboot again and go into Safe Mode with Networking instead of Safe Mode with Command Line

RKill. That's a nice one. Like ComboFix? Will try that out one of these days

Encountered the "can't install Malwarebytes" before and I posted at the MBAM forums about it. They told me to rename the mbam.exe to anything other than mbam.exe. I did that and it worked. Updated manually. Pasted the rules.ref to C:\Program Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware\. Just copy the rules.ref from a pc which has MBAM installed.

Or visit Manual Malwarebytes definitions download link

Seems like your problem..read here:

MBAM will not run

MBAM Command Line Parameters

Alternatives to Safe Mode scanning and removal can be found at this post. You do not need to boot to Safe Mode there just boot to cd or USB and your good to go.

But if you can try RKill that would be great.

You might be better served burning a bootable AV disc (or 2), and cleaning from outside windows completely.

FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List

Delete all system restore points by turning off SR. If any signs of infection remain after boot scanning, and running additional scans within windows (online scanners are also a good idea: HouseCall - Free Online Virus Scan - Trend Micro USA , Free Online Virus Scan - BitDefender Online Scanner , Panda ActiveScan | Free Online Antivirus | Free Virus Disinfection - Panda Security , Free Virus Scan - Kaspersky Lab ) , a fresh install may be the best idea. A Guy

Hi there
I keep saying to people -- it is UTTERLY NO POINT in using an INFECTED computer to remove any VIRUS -- how can you be sure that the virus removing software itself hasn't been compromised.

Say you were drilling on an Oil Platform and the drill needed sharpening, You wouldn't use a tool which was already worn out to sharpen / renew the bit would you.

Same with Virus removal -- why trust an INFECTED computer to work properly.

The ONLY IMO safe solution is a COMPLETE restore from a KNOWN Virus free backup or a total Windows 7 re-install.

If you have data copy that to an external HDD and run a virus check against the data ON A SEPARATE MACHINE.

AV software is just that -- should protect against getting a virus -- once you have one then ONLY a RESTORE or Re-INSTALL can be guaranteed to be 100% safe.

Forget ANY AV removal software -- once you've BEEN infected it's TOO LATE. You need to catch any virus in Real time then you can take proper action.

MSE does a reasonable job at this once you've got your computer working properly again.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45,
you are apsolutley wright.
and what if he doesn't have an backup
in taht case I would downlaod kaspersky administartion kit wich enables you remotly intstalling antivirus and other components and disinfection as well as all other protection tasks from one conmputer (AK server) to another (infected client)

se more at Product Updates --> Kaspersky Administration Kit 8

chears!
sasanet.

Hi there
I wish NOBODY would be allowed to use a computer until they learned how important it was to take backups regularly AND ACTUALLY DO IT.

However if he doesn't have a backup then the only solution is to do a complete Windows 7 re-install.

He could still copy DATA files (Music, documents, films, photos etc etc) to an external HDD or whatever before doing the re-install . Even with no backup program these can be copied via Windows explorer. ===> BUT VIRUS SCAN THESE ON A SEPARATE MACHINE before copying back to your computer.


As I said previously after you've re-installed Windows 7 install MSE and then take a BACKUP before installing any software etc. This will give you a decent image to recover from in the future without having to re-install again.

Incidentally keep the OS and applications in ONE partition = Windows 7 partition size typically around 35 - 50 GB depending on what applications are installed. Divide the rest of your disc storage up into various partitions such as DATA, scratch volumes, Multi-media etc etc.

Cheers
jimbo