Explorer Will Not Load, States Explorer.exe Contains Virus

[stevew84]

I am currently in safe mode now, but each time I boot normally, I only get a blank screen with a cursor. When i ctrl/alt/del I see other processes necessary for windows, but now explorer...when i manually start it, i get the error that it contains a virus and cannot load.

I've been struggling with a rootkit problem for the past week, finally got rid of it, but after the damage has been done to my system.

I currently have SP1 installed, tried to uninstall it, went through the motions to uninstall but still states i have SP1. I cannot use my Win7 disk to Upgrade since I have a newer version than the disk.

I also cannot Custom install, states that i cannot instal windows to the selected drive, which is my C (system). I have about 50gb remaining on this drive, so im not sure what the problem is.

As of now, I just need to get explorer going again. I've tried /scannow from cmd along with MRT.

 

[zigzag3143]

The only way you will be sure you are rid of it is to format and do a clean install. I know it is a PITA but in the long run may be easier and faster.

You have already had 2 outbreaks.

If you have a win 7 dvd and can boot from it, you should be able to install a clean copy.

You might be prevented from installing it if you have 4 or more partitions (including the one for the os)

 

[stevew84]

Yea need to clean install. Can I put XP on this system instead? I have a bootable XP disk cland I know it formats the drive right away. I'm thinking of doing this and going for win7 later.

 

[zigzag3143]

Yea need to clean install. Can I put XP on this system instead? I have a bootable XP disk cland I know it formats the drive right away. I'm thinking of doing this and going for win7 later.

Of course you can, though I dont recommend it. MS no longer supports XP.

 

[stevew84]

I meant put XP so I have a fresh stable system, then upgrade to win7 with no hassle.

I ran a deep scan with avast last night, explorer booted at start up like it was supposed to but now svchost.exe and iexploree.exe are currupt. Avast is running a preboot scan and noticed these two files.....the repair option does not work, should I delete?

 

[zigzag3143]

I meant put XP so I have a fresh stable system, then upgrade to win7 with no hassle.

I ran a deep scan with avast last night, explorer booted at start up like it was supposed to but now svchost.exe and iexploree.exe are currupt. Avast is running a preboot scan and noticed these two files.....the repair option does not work, should I delete?

AH you mean dual boot. That is the preferred method. Install the older OS (XP) first then win 7.

Regarding Avast, do you mean delete svchost, and IE? Those are critical files. A better way to check for malware is malwarebytes.

Please download the free version of Malwarebytes.
Update it immediately.
Do a full system scan
Let us know the results at the end.



Malwarebytes : Download free malware, virus and spyware tools to get your computer back in shape!

 

[stevew84]

I mean single boot with XP, then upgrade with 7.

I've used malware bytes...thrn I used webroot and that killed the root out. Now I can't even start my machine. Gets to splash then restart, start up repair doesn't load, just freezes and I have to hard boot. Now my PC is useless, only option is to install windows from boot, tried that with xp but after the files extract, it reboots then CPU overheat, f1 to continue then everything starts over making me extract again.

 

[zigzag3143]

I mean single boot with XP, then upgrade with 7.

I've used malware bytes...thrn I used webroot and that killed the root out. Now I can't even start my machine. Gets to splash then restart, start up repair doesn't load, just freezes and I have to hard boot. Now my PC is useless, only option is to install windows from boot, tried that with xp but after the files extract, it reboots then CPU overheat, f1 to continue then everything starts over making me extract again.

Why would you need to install XP to then upgrade to win 7?

 

[writhziden]

Yea need to clean install. Can I put XP on this system instead? I have a bootable XP disk cland I know it formats the drive right away. I'm thinking of doing this and going for win7 later.

Of course you can, though I dont recommend it. MS no longer supports XP.

XP is to be supported until April 8, 2014. Support for Windows XP

I think I understand the reasoning of the OP. There are other ways to clean your system using the Windows 7 install DVD. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/682-command-prompt-startup.html will allow you to do a full format of the drive containing your old Windows (you should make sure it is the correct drive using the "dir" command without quotes). You can also use Diskpart and do a clean all command on the disk containing the old windows installation, which zeros every sector of the drive.

If you need help with either of these methods, just ask. Lots of people on here are available to help with clean Windows installations. See http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[Layback Bear]

If it was my computer I would wipe the drive before installing the operating system. A format does not wipe the hard drive/ssd their for the rootket infection can still be there hiding in places like $Recycle Bin and many other places and when you open the path by installing the operating system you can be back where you started. IMHO a clean wipe is the only way to make sure a rootket virus is gone.

 

[writhziden]

If it was my computer I would wipe the drive before installing the operating system. A format does not wipe the hard drive/ssd their for the rootket infection can still be there hiding in places like $Recycle Bin and many other places and when you open the path by installing the operating system you can be back where you started. IMHO a clean wipe is the only way to make sure a rootket virus is gone.

Nice post, Layback Bear. If you need help with the clean all command through diskpart, see http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html for cleaning the drive.

 

[stevew84]

Ok everything is up and running now. Went XP then 7 ultimate. I have disk scrubber im going to run on the open space to clear everything that could be remaining.

I'm using Avast as my active protection and webroot just incase.

Question, is bitdefender better than the two I've mentioned? Besides Norton 360 2012, which is the best out of what I've mentioned?

 

[writhziden]

I have seen bitdefender cause blue screen crashes, Avast is also known to cause blue screen crashes on some systems, and Norton is known to cause blue screen crashes on some systems. You may want to look at the setup proposed by panais in http://www.sevenforums.com/system-s...-system-security-combination.html#post1732627 as it is a good, free security setup. Give panais rep if you use it.

 

[Layback Bear]

Ccleaner has a hard drive free space cleaner that will also wipe $Recycle Bin.
$Recycle Bin is where things go when you delete them. They will stay there until they are wrote over or are cleaned out with a program.
I would also recommend Good and Free system security combination.
as writhziden has.