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

[r4fay]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Mike Connor]

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]

Okay so here are the logs.

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]

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;

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/155367-time-has-come-walrus-said.html

Sorry it was such bad news.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[Mike Connor]

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]

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.

 

[Mike Connor]

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.

My pleasure. As I wrote I am sorry it was such bad news, but better that than slowly going crazy because things don't work and you can't find the cause!

Yes, that is correct. Make sure there is no malware on the thumb drive!

I am pretty certain that will solve your problems.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[Mike Connor]

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.

Which is the "best" is a moot point, also rather subjective. I use this;

Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus

The freeware is adequate for most users. But Microsoft Security Essentials is also usually adequate. It is actually rarely the fault of these programs that malware manages to slip through. This is usually the result of downloading stuff without checking it properly, opening rogue e-mails, etc.

If you are unsure about a file etc , then send it here to be checked BEFORE you download it;

VirusTotal - Free Online Virus, Malware and URL Scanner

You should also use some form of website checking in your browser.

WOT is OK, this is better;

http://www.linkextend.com/

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[r4fay]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to re-install the Windows now, and will post the results :fingers-crossed:
Hope those thumbs and external hdd drives work.

 

[Mike Connor]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to re-install the Windows now, and will post the results :fingers-crossed:
Hope those thumbs and external hdd drives work.

OK. I am looking forward to reading a success story!

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[r4fay]

Hello Mike! I'm so glad my problems are finally gone now. Thank you so much for being supportive and guiding me through stuff and informing me about the malwares. I learnt something from you. My system is finally clean now and all removable devices are working again. I'd rather hit my head on a wall than fixing it without you.

But... Demons are still fighting me, lol. I've found out that my DVD-ROM is not reading nor writing any disc I put in. I've noticed that it sounds like it's "restarting" (like: Sssss... then silence for a while and again Sssss... and it keeps repeating) whenever a disc is inside the tray. This is causing me problems now. ptff!

But thanks anyway!

 

[Mike Connor]

My pleasure. Glad to hear you got everything sorted out.

What you describe there is often due to a dirty lens on the LASER ( Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Of Radiation. Added that because hardly anybody seem to know it is an acronym, or what it means). This often occurs in "dirty" environments. Especially where people smoke tobacco, ( or whatever else! ),the tar builds up on various surfaces, and in the case of a laser-pick-up-lens, renders it unusable until cleaned.

You can try the following, but be aware that this is not exactly "easy! !

How to Clean the Laser Pickup Lens on your DVD Player | eHow.com

Be careful when doing this, work slowly and carefully, in a good light, do not use force on any components, and DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO ANY LASER SOURCE, this can blind you. Hopefully needless to say that you must remove all power connections before you do anything like this.

It is also a good idea to touch a metal part of the casing of whatever you are going to repair, with one hand, while touching a water pipe or similar with the other hand.

MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN YOU HAVE DISCONNECTED MAINS POWER BEFORE YOU DO THIS!!!

If there are any short circuits or errors in your device, or your RCD, or your mains supply is not fitted with such devices, this can be FATAL !!!!.

Doing this will discharge any static build-up and prevent damage to electronic components.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[r4fay]

I'd rather claim the warranty than fixing myself.

 

[Mike Connor]

I'd rather claim the warranty than fixing myself.

Yes of course, if the machine is under warranty, then take it back. Trying to fix it yourself will VOID the warranty.

Sorry, I did not know this was a new machine, or drive.

Regards....Mike Connor