PC keeps restarting...virus alert!

[mikey_dude]

Hi there,

I have a clients PC running WinXP Pro which keeps restarting itself, very likely caused by the Raleka virus.

I have done a scan in DOS using a Norton program disk and the latest virus definitions on the drive, finding and deleting three infected files.

However, I still cannot boot up in to XP to do anything. It gets to the welcome screen then continually reboots.

I'm pretty sure its not a hardware problem because of this virus alert. How can I get round this without a complete reformat and reinstallation of the OS, losing all my clients data?

I have also tried booting in safe mode (with/without networking etc), they all keep rebooting.

Thanks for any help you can offer.
Michael.

[cypher1919]

if you can get into command, you can run any program from there. try downing f-prot or avg(grisoft.com) and running through command.

[mikey_dude]

I know a virus is present, I just need to know how to clear it in DOS and hopefully boot back up into XP.

[mikey_dude]

I really am stuck with this one. Is there any way I can get information off the drive before a format? He'll hate me if I format and lose all of his data but I can't see any other way out.

Please help.

[Cricket]

Originally posted by mikey_dude
I really am stuck with this one. Is there any way I can get information off the drive before a format? He'll hate me if I format and lose all of his data but I can't see any other way out.Take the hard drive out of that computer and install it in another working computer (with a good antivirus program) and slave it to the existing hard drive. You can use Windows Explorer to get the data you need.

:) Cricket

[mikey_dude]

Wow, I never thought of that. I'll give that a try tomorrow. And theres me working for A+........

cheers!

[andyms18a]

have you tried safe mode press the f8 key repeatedly till you get the boot menu

[mikey_dude]

Yep, it does the same even with safe mode..just restarts.

[andyms18a]

try last known good configeration on the safe moad boot menu

[mikey_dude]

I tried the last known config but it spread the virus.

I ended up backing up the data from the drive into another drive (as Cricket suggested) and formatting and starting over.

Thanks for all your help guys!

[morriswindgate]

ANd while you are at it suggest a good backup or imaging program for your client.

[mikey_dude]

Yup, have told him a few good housekeeping skills to save me a lot of hassle in the future.

cheers! :)