Thread: Virus or failing new hard drive...

Did you fresh install with a format or without?

How old is the laptop?

Cheers
Simon

It is unlikely that the hard disk is at fault, but if it is you can get a replacement since it will be under warranty (assuming you haven't opened it or anything). It is more likely that the virus scanner either reported a false positive and deleted a system file required by your laptop (e.g. a driver for your particular hardware configuration) or it found an actual virus that may have been a root kit, in which case the only thing you can do is a hard disk reformat before reinstalling. Or, it found a virus and did not successfully remove it.

Having said all that, most modern viruses do not target individual computers to disable them, rather they seek to install other programs or parts of programs that may be used as bots in a bot net. Little is currently known about these programs at this time except that there are various kinds and some of those are known to morph from viruses to programs to root kits. It is possible by your description of the network related applications that are failing that the virus/program/root kit is still there and trying to negotiate your network settings and seemingly failing (which is why the programs are crashing).

So my advice, scrub the living daylights out of your hard drive with a low level reformat. If possible get a firmware update for the laptop too. Then install the system from the ground up. Then...

Don't get back onto the net until you have a at least two virus detection/spyware applications running.

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

Did you fresh install with a format or without?

How old is the laptop?

Cheers
Simon

Originally Posted by disco2hse

So my advice, scrub the living daylights out of your hard drive with a low level reformat. If possible get a firmware update for the laptop too. Then install the system from the ground up. Then...

Don't get back onto the net until you have a at least two virus detection/spyware applications running.

I did do a full and complete format on both occasions of re-install. The laptop looks to be about year 2003 and when I did all the installs I updated all drivers possible to the latest.

I just think that the hard drive is sus and will not last.

Another problem...

I have used up all the installs for my Xp Pro and it requires 'activation' It will not allow me to do this over the net so I must either phone Microsoft or purchase another program.

It appears that when I phone Microsoft and I ask nicely to justify my reasons for all the installs done they will give me a new activation code for my current program.

Has anyone done this and what will I expect from Microsoft?

Cheers.

G'day Feral,

I believe Inc. has done it and I've heard of numerous people doing it without problems.

Just call 'em up, give them your saga and you'll be right.

Sounds like you've done all the right things.

Last time this happened to me I downloaded a HDD test program from the manufacturers website, ran from a floppy - must have been a while ago - the program tested the disk and told me it was stuffed. It spat out a code, back to the website and it gives you a return code.

It probably wouldn't be overnight, so you might just go out and buy another one while you're waiting, maybe one of those portable USB drive, pull it apart, then ghost the system when it's installed so you can replace the HDD when it comes back - assuming that any USB boxed hdd is going to be dead slow.

What was wrong with the last HDD?

Cheers
Simon

the reactivation thingy is just and automated process, you dont need to "talk" to anyone.

Also try running:

chkdsk/f

--------------------------------------------------------------
Bad sectors reported on a NEW hard drive should NOT happen.
If it does Take it back, explain politely the error message and suggest you are supplied with a new drive.
If it's 3 months old it may be a warranty job and you may have to wait for a replacement, this is normal.

Originally Posted by Feral

I did do a full and complete format on both occasions of re-install. The laptop looks to be about year 2003 and when I did all the installs I updated all drivers possible to the latest.

I just think that the hard drive is sus and will not last.

Hmm. Damn shame really but then I had a computer that went through four HDs before I realised the problem. Really bad power supply was frying the HDs. Have you got it filtered?

These days it is unlikely that a HD will develop errors from new but in this case it looks like one of those rarities. Take it back to where you bought it from and get a replacement. They should just give you a new one. You shouldn't have to worry about error codes and such, the manufacturer will sort that out when it is returned to them.

As for the MS thingy, can't help you there. *nix man myself