Hi,
This behaviour is very odd. Has your Windows installation always been this way with this specific boxed retail installation DVD?
Can you give us some detail about this PC before you attempted this clean install? You mentioned a virys earlier....exactly which one was it? can you recall the name?
Its extremely rare for malware to survive a format and fresh install - not impossible, but exceptionally rare.
Regards,
Golden
Thanks for your comments and interest Golden.
This is a new pc as of 10/2011 which I assembled myself. It has Asus P8Z68 Deluxe MB; 120 GB SSD; 1TbHDD.
I have just done DISKPART clean all on both drives and reinstalled windows on the SSD only to find the same behavior (Ie endlessly repeating dashes in search boxes, little else yet since just haven't worked the machine). also updated the BIOS and same behavior (dashes) occurred.
SO I am very surprised.
Haven't been able to identify malaware using 6 common free AV programs.
Any suggestions - would much appreciate any help - thanks-----
Hi,
Very odd indeed. Lets assume there is a problem with the DVD, and lets try something else.
Please download the correct Windows version ISO here:
Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life
Now download and install the Windows USB installer from this site:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/windows-7-usbdvd-download-tool-creates-and-makes-bootable-dvd-disc-or-usb-flashhard-drive-from-iso-image/
Use the Windows USB installer to create a bootable USB flash/thumb drive (you need a minimum of 4GB). Next, boot from this USB and install Windows as you normally would. Leave the activation for later - lets first see if you can get a good installation.
Post back here if you need more help.
Regards,
Golden
I agree Golden - still I think myself as you so rightly say a virus would not evade a clean install so am leaning towards a hardware problem/s.
How about trying a small but inexpensive (if there is such a thing) drive and not use the ones you have?
I don't know how you can test the mobo though perhaps the chipset is dodo?
Long shot ?PSU up to volts etc?
Some testing sites mate for the board!
How-to POST Test a Motherboard
Motherboard Troubleshooting Procedures
How to Troubleshoot a Dead Motherboard/Computer
Turn on PSU without motherboard - the 'paperclip trick' | Lounge | APH Networks < testing the output of the PSU
How can I test my computer motherboard and CPU for failures? < might not be free
Have a look there are more avenues but it's a start:)
THanks so much for these suggestions - I greatly appreciate your time.
I will change the keyboard - I love simple obvious solutions -amazing how often they are there sharing us in the eye.(Thanks Layback Bear)
Golden- thanks for those detailed links - this pc did work fine with no problems for three months after assemby.
I browse quite widely so I have had this idea I downloaded something with malaware/virus. The search box dashes are the minor annoyances, its the other issues I mentioned earlier which made me think this is serious and I must do something - but nothing came up in numberous system scans with half a dozen free well-known AV prog. The system restore would not work, etc.
BUT the new pc did work without fault for three months.
I will get a new HDD or SSD and try that (thanks ICit2lol) and also download a windows 7 trial to try for a good install. Hoping its not other hardware so will try other things first.
Will report back to you on this.
Thanks heaps once again everyone.
Hi,
If it was a virus, then in 99.9% of cases it would be completely destroyed and removed by the format that pre-cedes a new installation. My gut feel is that this isn't malware.
Did you try another install with the downlaoded ISO?
Try Laybacks sugegstion of the keyboard.
Regards,
Golden
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