Windows 7 clean reinstall but virus(?) remains-- help

[banksia]

Did a clean reinstall of Win7 to remove a virus(?)
couldn't detect any virus with lots of anti-virus apps.
'Virus' - behavior: automatically ran strings of dashes (-------------) endlessly in search boxes; opened successive copies of emails as quickly as I could close them in email program; prevented system restore operating; prevented upgrade install, etc.
After a clean reinstall using win 7 cd there it is again the string of dashes in the search boxes!!!
Now I am frustrated --WHAT TO DO NEXT IS MY PROBLEM.
Can anyone suggest a possible course of action here please - please---
Thanks

 

[richc46]

Did you do a clean install with format? If no, that is what should be done.

 

[Golden]

Hi Banksia,

In addition to Rich's question, can you tell us what is the source of your Windows 7 installation? A boxed retail DVD? Downloaded ISO?

Regards,
Golden

 

[Victek]

Did a clean reinstall of Win7 to remove a virus(?)
couldn't detect any virus with lots of anti-virus apps.

Which specific AV apps did you use? If you haven't already I would run Kaspersky TDSSkiller (free), Norton Power Eraser (free) and Hitman Pro (free for one use) to see if they pickup anything.

 

[banksia]

Did you do a clean install with format? If no, that is what should be done.

yes I did this to no avail - the problem remains.
I used a boxed retail DVD Windows 7
I will try those other AV's

I have two HDD on this pc which is a new pc so I have tried making each the system disk also to no avail.
so is it a BIOS problem?? wondering and what should I do
this is ususual I think

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Did a clean reinstall of Win7 to remove a virus(?)
couldn't detect any virus with lots of anti-virus apps.

Which specific AV apps did you use? If you haven't already I would run Kaspersky TDSSkiller (free), Norton Power Eraser (free) and Hitman Pro (free for one use) to see if they pickup anything.

Yeah bansy there is a list of thsoe free one offs one I quite like is DrWeb cureit bit slow but thorough dr. cureit free download
and Probably the Best Free Security List in the World
Tried Malwarebytes yet?

 

[torre]

So the only problem you have at present is the -------- in search box ?


What is your browser ?

Check the tutorials above on procedures for doing a clean install. Sorry, I can't find link. You may have made an error in formatting.


You may also consider overwriting the HD using diskpart

 

[ICIT2LOL]

So the only problem you have at present is the -------- in search box ?


What is your browser ?

Check the tutorials above on procedures for doing a clean install. Sorry, I can't find link. You may have made an error in formatting.


You may also consider overwriting the HD using diskpart

Yeah torre maybe even a dud drive or installation disk - any marks on it mate?.

 

[banksia]

thanks everyone for these very helpful comments and suggestions. I am trying them out.

could it be a BIOS problem?
it is not only the search box issue of endless dashes BUT much more importantly it appears to be much more because as I said earlier: I cannot use system restore, opens emails endlessly, and programs freeze, mouse cursor jumps all over the place, etc.
I use Firefox.

maybe if I use DISKPART to cleanall the SSD disk then try reinstalling windows 7 on it. ??

 

[ICIT2LOL]

thanks everyone for these very helpful comments and suggestions. I am trying them out.

could it be a BIOS problem?
it is not only the search box issue of endless dashes BUT much more importantly it appears to be much more because as I said earlier: I cannot use system restore, opens emails endlessly, and programs freeze, mouse cursor jumps all over the place, etc.
I use Firefox.

maybe if I use DISKPART to cleanall the SSD disk then try reinstalling windows 7 on it. ??

Hum you have a point there too re the BIOS is the mobo going home? I recently recently had multiple problems with one and even the replacement was well zip too - have a squizzy round for burns or bulging caps or something that is obviously way too hot or just lose joints. I also fixed a use machine this week that wouldn't boot and all I did was pull all the connections off and RAM out / back test the PSU volts and away it went no a flicker and it just was not booting at all. I guess we all tend to think of software probs first before the hardware like checking the oil in the car cos it's not running properly and in reality you have two flat tyres !!

 

[Golden]

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

 

[banksia]

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-----

 

[Golden]

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

 

[ICIT2LOL]

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

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?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

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

 

[Layback Bear]

Could this be caused by just a stuck key on the keyboard?

 

[banksia]

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.

 

[Golden]

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

 

[profdlp]

Could this be caused by just a stuck key on the keyboard?

That's exactly what I was thinking. Glad I read the whole thread before I posted and looked like Little Sir Echo.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Could this be caused by just a stuck key on the keyboard?

Good thinking Bear and don't forget the mouse Banksy - wired or wireless I have gone back to a retractable wired one as well as a wired KB I find them much more reliable.

Gotta be something simple as everyone seems to think