Starsky
04-22-2009, 09:33 AM
Hey guys,
I fixed a friends laptop the other week that had been completely taken over by viruses and spyware. The main culprit was the vundo virus which was causing havoc. Initially the computer wouldnt even boot into windows in either normal or safe mode, so i had to use a boot disk and disable all the autoruns, which then allowed me into safe mode, which then allowed me to run HJT and malwarebytes.
Anyway, after my first couple of tries, the virus kept re-installing itself, but I was eventually able to get rid of it all and declare the system clean. I then did full computer scans with nod32 and avira which didnt find anything, so i thought "job done, time for some beers"
However, there are 2 strange side-effects left behind by the virus that i cant seem to repair -
1. USB Drives dont show up in My Computer. They are detected and installed with no problems, but cant be viewed. If i open Disk Management, the only device displayed is the CDROM, not even the C: is displayed, even though it can still be accessed.
I have tried for hours to fix this, such as disabling and enabling different services, short of doing a repair install of WIndows XP MC, i dont know how to fix it.
2. Unable to change the desktop background. Originally the background was a virus advertisement, but since I have removed the virus, it just has a black display, which cannot be changed when going to properties of the desktop.
I am still learning about virus removal and was pretty happy with myself to get the system back up and running almost perfectly, but these 2 issues are pretty frustrating. I would REALLY appreciate any help.
Thanks very much,
Starsky.
I fixed a friends laptop the other week that had been completely taken over by viruses and spyware. The main culprit was the vundo virus which was causing havoc. Initially the computer wouldnt even boot into windows in either normal or safe mode, so i had to use a boot disk and disable all the autoruns, which then allowed me into safe mode, which then allowed me to run HJT and malwarebytes.
Anyway, after my first couple of tries, the virus kept re-installing itself, but I was eventually able to get rid of it all and declare the system clean. I then did full computer scans with nod32 and avira which didnt find anything, so i thought "job done, time for some beers"
However, there are 2 strange side-effects left behind by the virus that i cant seem to repair -
1. USB Drives dont show up in My Computer. They are detected and installed with no problems, but cant be viewed. If i open Disk Management, the only device displayed is the CDROM, not even the C: is displayed, even though it can still be accessed.
I have tried for hours to fix this, such as disabling and enabling different services, short of doing a repair install of WIndows XP MC, i dont know how to fix it.
2. Unable to change the desktop background. Originally the background was a virus advertisement, but since I have removed the virus, it just has a black display, which cannot be changed when going to properties of the desktop.
I am still learning about virus removal and was pretty happy with myself to get the system back up and running almost perfectly, but these 2 issues are pretty frustrating. I would REALLY appreciate any help.
Thanks very much,
Starsky.