Pending: AntivirusPro10 infection,lost TskMgr & Help - Page 2

BigWayne · 10-19-2009

I'm not sure whether to start a new thread for reinstalling XP or not. If this needs to be moved elsewhere in the forum, please do so since we're not going after the virus anymore.

I've followed the preparation steps for the reinstallation shown on this Microsoft page. I changed the BIOS order to read the CD drive first (then C:\ drive 2nd, floppy 3rd) so it will boot off of the disk, and I wrote down all my registration keys to reinstall all my extra programs afterward.

About 2/3 down that Microsoft page is where it tells how to reinstall/repair XP. I followed Method 2 because it mentioned the XP files being preinstalled on the HDD. After doing those steps and finishing setup, I noticed all of my old icons and files were still intact. The HDD hadn't been wiped at all. It just repaired the existing XP files and left all my 3rd party programs alone.

Seeing this, I attempted to do Method 1 the next time. I'm having a little trouble getting their instructions and what the computer does to match. Method 2 was easy and went step by step with everything they said it would do. Method 1 though is not synching up. This is their instructions:

Method 1: Start your computer.
Insert the Windows XP CD in your computer's CD drive or DVD drive.

On the Welcome to Windows XP page, click Install Windows XP.

On the Welcome to Windows Setup page, click Upgrade (Recommended) in the Installation Type box (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.

On the License Agreement page, click I accept this agreement, and then click Next.

On the Your Product Key page, type the 25-character product key in the Product key boxes, and then click Next.

On the Get Updated Setup Files page, select the option that you want, and then click Next.

Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reinstall Windows XP.

I restarted the computer with the XP disk in the CD tray because taking the time to put the disk in like Step 1 says made the computer think there was no disk, so it went to the next BIOS startup which was running XP from the HDD (C:\). Instead of it showing a "Install Windows XP" dialogue it reads the XP disk for a moment, then starts booting the installed Windows XP from C:\ on the HDD without any dialogue or installation request like it says in Step 2 above.

I did manage to get it into the Setup dialogue by hitting F2. It still didn't match up with their instructions, but I attempted to follow the on-screen instructions. When I got to a pre-setup dialogue that asked me whether I wanted to Setup, Create, or Delete the existing partitions that setup found, I knew I was over my head then. I didn't know if that was a step I had to do to delete the old programs (and the virus) or what. I didn't want to screw up anything, so I cancelled the 2nd attempt at a setup.

I guess what I want is to know if you guys have a step-by-step worksheet that tells us n00bs how to wipe the HDD and reinstall WinXP ourselves, one that answers questions about partition setup/deletion and other setup questions that arise during the reinstall.

Oh, and thanks again Crush for all of your help!

Crush · 10-19-2009

Hi BigWayne,

This is getting a little out of my area of expertise so, I'm going to pass the baton to the Tech Team if you don't mind. They're a really awesome bunch of people. Not as awesome as me but, pretty darn close

. Only kidding

. Someone should be along shortly to help you

DCiAdmin · 10-20-2009

Hello BigWayne (odd - that's what we call my Uncle. Is it you?)

Any chance that you might get back to this step?

I did manage to get it into the Setup dialogue by hitting F2. It still didn't match up with their instructions, but I attempted to follow the on-screen instructions. When I got to a pre-setup dialogue that asked me whether I wanted to Setup, Create, or Delete the existing partitions that setup found, I knew I was over my head then. I didn't know if that was a step I had to do to delete the old programs (and the virus) or what. I didn't want to screw up anything, so I cancelled the 2nd attempt at a setup.

There will likely be 2 partitions - 1 small one that will do a factory fresh install for you and 1 large one that would be your current installation, applications, data & of course, virus. If you have your data backed up and are ready to format, then you will want to DELETE the largest partition showing on the the C drive.

Select this same Large partition to install to.

If you have any questions - please ask as you progress or before like you did here. We would be happy to help you through this.

RELOCATING TO Windows XP/2000 forum with 2 day redirect in place for member

RandyL · 10-20-2009

Is not AntivirusPro that he downloaded from Rapid Share a rogue program?

Isn't any such program downloaded by such means suspect to infections?

If so don't reinstall it after you reinstall.

BigWayne · 10-20-2009

Hello BigWayne (odd - that's what we call my Uncle. Is it you?)

If he lives just south of Tennessee, them maybe.

Here is what that setup dialogue listed as the partitions:

Setup XP on selected item -ENTER
Create a partition in unpartitioned space - C
Delete selected partition - D

-: Partition 1[FAT] - 31mb (24free)
C: Partition 2[NTFS] - 72635mb (65173mb free)
E: Partition 3[FAT32] - 3601mb - (367mb free)
Unpartitioned Space - 8mb

So I only delete the C: Partition 2, correct? I don't delete the other two labeled -: and E: ? I'm not really sure why it's listing an E: partition. There's only the C:\ HDD, the D:\ optical drive, and the floppy drive.

Okay, here we go.....deleting the C: partition only. (insert Jeopardy muzak here)

Now selecting that newly cleared partition to put the new XP files on. (more muzak)

New screen says "Setup is Formatting" with a progress bar at the bottom.....

Now it's saying "Please wait while setup copies files to the Windows install folders".

Aaaand now it is rebooting. It's showed the normal black WinXP splash page, followed by a Microsoft XP self-praising dialogue page that shows a bulleted progress list :
*Collecting Info
*Dynamic Update
*Preparing Installation
*Installing Windows
*Finalizing Installation

I set my languages and keyboards.

Another progress bar saying there's still 25 minutes left.

Another reboot.

It's started normally and seems to be ready to use. All the old icons are gone from the screen and Program Files looks like a barren wasteland now compared to what it was. I've installed the drivers for the modem. Now I just have to find the driver for my current CRT monitor. It's running off of the default XP driver, and my screen resolution won't come off of 640x480. The only driver disk I have is for the broken flatscreen that came with the computer originally.

Thank you for answering so quickly, DCiAdmin. I appreciate all the assistance you and Crush have given me on this. One question though. I don't need to worry that I didn't delete the other two partitions that were listed, do I? The ones labeled (-: ) and (E : ) ? Like I said, I'm not sure why an E: partition was listed since there is no device assigned to that letter. I only have the D:\ CD-DVD burner and the floppy disk drive. (Floppy disks are so old school nowadays if you tell a teenager you have a floppy they'll tell you to go buy some Viagra for it-LOL)

Please don't close this just yet. I'm sure I'm going to encounter some confusion with a driver, so please give me a couple of days before closing the thread. Thanks.

BigWayne · 10-20-2009

Originally Posted by RandyL

Is not AntivirusPro that he downloaded from Rapid Share a rogue program?

Isn't any such program downloaded by such means suspect to infections?

If so don't reinstall it after you reinstall.

AVP-Pro10 is a rogue A-V program. It was a flash file I downloaded in that Rapidshare ZIP that I guess had the virus and installer built in. That's the last thing I downloaded and looked at just before the browser started going haywire and the virus disabled all my A-V stuff. It could have just been a coincidence and the virus was already there and just happened to activate at that moment, I dunno.

I had AVG Free installed as my antivirus program, but the virus tore through it so bad I had to uninstall it, along with my SuperAntiSpyware and Spybot S&D. Guess I'm gonna have to break down and actually pay for a decent A-V program this time.

I don't like the AVG Paid version. I did the trial version and it used a LOT of RAM memory. I had 1yr free Nortons when I got the computer but it let stuff through all the time, so that's a bust. I'll have to check around to see if I can find a good A-V program to buy.

DCiAdmin · 10-20-2009

I've a couple of answers for you, BigWayne.

The 8 MB partition is too small for Windows to do anything with it, so it just sits there unused.

AVG is a fine anti-virus. What got through for you was a malware called AntiVirus Pro. It's not truly a virus. You need to get some anti-malware and anti-spyware tools. What I've used on my PC and my children's is a combination of AVG, Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, and Spybot S&D. Both the AVG and Defender are auto-updating and auto-scanning. The freebies of Malwarebytes and Spybot both require manual updating and running.

10-19-2009	#8
BigWayne Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Outside your bedroom window....BOO! Posts: 17 PC Experience: Internet Junkie	Re: AntivirusPro10 infection,lost TskMgr & He I'm not sure whether to start a new thread for reinstalling XP or not. If this needs to be moved elsewhere in the forum, please do so since we're not going after the virus anymore. I've followed the preparation steps for the reinstallation shown on this Microsoft page. I changed the BIOS order to read the CD drive first (then C:\ drive 2nd, floppy 3rd) so it will boot off of the disk, and I wrote down all my registration keys to reinstall all my extra programs afterward. About 2/3 down that Microsoft page is where it tells how to reinstall/repair XP. I followed Method 2 because it mentioned the XP files being preinstalled on the HDD. After doing those steps and finishing setup, I noticed all of my old icons and files were still intact. The HDD hadn't been wiped at all. It just repaired the existing XP files and left all my 3rd party programs alone. Seeing this, I attempted to do Method 1 the next time. I'm having a little trouble getting their instructions and what the computer does to match. Method 2 was easy and went step by step with everything they said it would do. Method 1 though is not synching up. This is their instructions: Method 1: Start your computer. Insert the Windows XP CD in your computer's CD drive or DVD drive. On the Welcome to Windows XP page, click Install Windows XP. On the Welcome to Windows Setup page, click Upgrade (Recommended) in the Installation Type box (if it is not already selected), and then click Next. On the License Agreement page, click I accept this agreement, and then click Next. On the Your Product Key page, type the 25-character product key in the Product key boxes, and then click Next. On the Get Updated Setup Files page, select the option that you want, and then click Next. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reinstall Windows XP. I restarted the computer with the XP disk in the CD tray because taking the time to put the disk in like Step 1 says made the computer think there was no disk, so it went to the next BIOS startup which was running XP from the HDD (C:\). Instead of it showing a "Install Windows XP" dialogue it reads the XP disk for a moment, then starts booting the installed Windows XP from C:\ on the HDD without any dialogue or installation request like it says in Step 2 above. I did manage to get it into the Setup dialogue by hitting F2. It still didn't match up with their instructions, but I attempted to follow the on-screen instructions. When I got to a pre-setup dialogue that asked me whether I wanted to Setup, Create, or Delete the existing partitions that setup found, I knew I was over my head then. I didn't know if that was a step I had to do to delete the old programs (and the virus) or what. I didn't want to screw up anything, so I cancelled the 2nd attempt at a setup. I guess what I want is to know if you guys have a step-by-step worksheet that tells us n00bs how to wipe the HDD and reinstall WinXP ourselves, one that answers questions about partition setup/deletion and other setup questions that arise during the reinstall. Oh, and thanks again Crush for all of your help!

10-19-2009	#9
Crush Tech Support Team Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Caldwell, New Jersey Posts: 10,642 PC Experience: Always Learning New Things	Re: AntivirusPro10 infection,lost TskMgr & He Hi BigWayne, This is getting a little out of my area of expertise so, I'm going to pass the baton to the Tech Team if you don't mind. They're a really awesome bunch of people. Not as awesome as me but, pretty darn close . Only kidding . Someone should be along shortly to help you __________________ Crush aka Chris [Prework][Afterwork][PCHF Rules][BSOD's][SFC][Screenshots][PC Specs][Donate] I am in fact, quite cool. My graphing calculator confirms this

10-20-2009	#10
DCiAdmin Tech Team Leader Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Heart of the US Midwest Posts: 7,491 PC Experience: Perpetual Student	Re: AntivirusPro10 infection,lost TskMgr & He Hello BigWayne (odd - that's what we call my Uncle. Is it you?) Any chance that you might get back to this step? I did manage to get it into the Setup dialogue by hitting F2. It still didn't match up with their instructions, but I attempted to follow the on-screen instructions. When I got to a pre-setup dialogue that asked me whether I wanted to Setup, Create, or Delete the existing partitions that setup found, I knew I was over my head then. I didn't know if that was a step I had to do to delete the old programs (and the virus) or what. I didn't want to screw up anything, so I cancelled the 2nd attempt at a setup. There will likely be 2 partitions - 1 small one that will do a factory fresh install for you and 1 large one that would be your current installation, applications, data & of course, virus. If you have your data backed up and are ready to format, then you will want to DELETE the largest partition showing on the the C drive. Select this same Large partition to install to. If you have any questions - please ask as you progress or before like you did here. We would be happy to help you through this. RELOCATING TO Windows XP/2000 forum with 2 day redirect in place for member __________________ DCiAdmin *PCHF Rules* / *PreWork* / *AfterWork* / *PCHF Downloads* / *System File Checker* Thank you for entrusting your system to PCHF!

10-20-2009	#11
RandyL Bronze Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 42 PC Experience: Very Experienced	Re: AntivirusPro10 infection,lost TskMgr & He Is not AntivirusPro that he downloaded from Rapid Share a rogue program? Isn't any such program downloaded by such means suspect to infections? If so don't reinstall it after you reinstall.

10-20-2009	#12
BigWayne Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Outside your bedroom window....BOO! Posts: 17 PC Experience: Internet Junkie	Re: AntivirusPro10 infection,lost TskMgr & He Hello BigWayne (odd - that's what we call my Uncle. Is it you?) If he lives just south of Tennessee, them maybe. Here is what that setup dialogue listed as the partitions: Setup XP on selected item -ENTER Create a partition in unpartitioned space - C Delete selected partition - D -: Partition 1[FAT] - 31mb (24free) C: Partition 2[NTFS] - 72635mb (65173mb free) E: Partition 3[FAT32] - 3601mb - (367mb free) Unpartitioned Space - 8mb So I only delete the C: Partition 2, correct? I don't delete the other two labeled -: and E: ? I'm not really sure why it's listing an E: partition. There's only the C:\ HDD, the D:\ optical drive, and the floppy drive. Okay, here we go.....deleting the C: partition only. (insert Jeopardy muzak here) Now selecting that newly cleared partition to put the new XP files on. (more muzak) New screen says "Setup is Formatting" with a progress bar at the bottom..... Now it's saying "Please wait while setup copies files to the Windows install folders". Aaaand now it is rebooting. It's showed the normal black WinXP splash page, followed by a Microsoft XP self-praising dialogue page that shows a bulleted progress list : Collecting Info Dynamic Update Preparing Installation Installing Windows *Finalizing Installation I set my languages and keyboards. Another progress bar saying there's still 25 minutes left. Another reboot. It's started normally and seems to be ready to use. All the old icons are gone from the screen and Program Files looks like a barren wasteland now compared to what it was. I've installed the drivers for the modem. Now I just have to find the driver for my current CRT monitor. It's running off of the default XP driver, and my screen resolution won't come off of 640x480. The only driver disk I have is for the broken flatscreen that came with the computer originally. Thank you for answering so quickly, DCiAdmin. I appreciate all the assistance you and Crush have given me on this. One question though. I don't need to worry that I didn't delete the other two partitions that were listed, do I? The ones labeled (-: ) and (E : ) ? Like I said, I'm not sure why an E: partition was listed since there is no device assigned to that letter. I only have the D:\ CD-DVD burner and the floppy disk drive. (Floppy disks are so old school nowadays if you tell a teenager you have a floppy they'll tell you to go buy some Viagra for it-LOL) Please don't close this just yet. I'm sure I'm going to encounter some confusion with a driver, so please give me a couple of days before closing the thread. Thanks.

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