Computer won't boot anymore after virus

ryansclzo · Mar 20, 2014

Computer: Asus laptop u47a

Well the other day I downloaded some torrent that gave me a TON of malware. I used windows defender to clean the malware up and uninstalled all I could. The computer was running for about 6 hours until it would not run from the hard drive anymore. Actually it couldn't even detect the hard drive.

Things I have tried:
Hirens Boot CD: couldn't get it to load HD

New BIOS: I updated it through easy flash

Windows Startup repair: gets into a never ending loop

Fresh install of windows: boots into cd but won't even let me pick a language without looping

Bought a new hard drive: I thought this would fix my computer but I can't even boot the thing. My laptop brings up "automatic repair" and then loops it forever.

I am really in need of help before I just throw this laptop off the cliff. Thanks so much.

Snipergod87 · Mar 20, 2014

How many sticks of RAM do you have installed 1 or 2? try removing one and reinstalling if that fails put back it back in and remove the other.

ryansclzo · Mar 20, 2014

Snipergod87 :

I have tried and it did not work. Thanks for trying

Snipergod87 · Mar 20, 2014

were you able to install Windows to the new drive? I assume when you put in the new drive you removed the old one. Because the automatic repair should not be there without a Windows installation.

ryansclzo · Mar 20, 2014

Snipergod87 :

You are right. It was a like-new drive off ebay but had windows already on it. I don't believe I should format it anyway because I can't even get my windows cd to let me reinstall windows...

This newer hard drive is good and can be mounted through linux on a live OS.

Snipergod87 · Mar 20, 2014

I would format it and reinstall, no idea whats on the drive and it probably wont work (hence the startup repair) because if is a different system from the last computer it was in. If you have another computer and a 4GB flash drive you can use Microsofts USB/DVD tool to install from USB instead of DVD.

ryansclzo · Mar 20, 2014

Snipergod87 :

This is where it gets weird... I actually had the new drive in my defective laptop for about 2 hours. When I put it into my other laptop to make a fresh install in windows, IT LOOPS.

The other laptop is fine though and still functions properly. Should I just wipe the drive and try again?

aldan · Mar 20, 2014

yes but windows has to be installed with the drive in your the laptop its going to be run in.you cant install it in another machine and put it into yours unless the specs are exactly the same.

boosted1g · Mar 20, 2014

Unless the lapops are the exact same model (or at least using the same north/south chipsets, cpu socket and other components) then yes it would have issues in a different laptop.

What is looping when trying to install windows on the "new" drive.

Since you have gotten the "new" hard drive have you tried to boot using cd and install windows that way?

ryansclzo · Mar 20, 2014

boosted1g :

Well the other laptop is completely different so you are probably right. The "new hard drive" will go into a loop on my original laptop when installing windows. I can't even load things like windows defender offline without it going into a loop.

aldan · Mar 20, 2014

until you install an os you wont be able to load anything.try this.boot to your boot menu.select cd/dvd as boot device.insert your windows install disk and hit enter.this should take you to the windows install screen.it pretty straight forward from there.choose the custom or clean install.

boosted1g · Mar 20, 2014

On a side note, Windows Defender is a only a step above nothing in regards to virus protection. You should at least install AVG or Avast on your machine or you can buy a good one like Kaspersky or Bitdefender. Most can be found on Amazon for $20-30 for 3 computers just have to keep an eye out.

aldan · Mar 20, 2014

bitdefender has a great free version as does avast.these are my two top picks.bitdefender is geared more towards the novice ie easier to use than avast.if you are going to lay out money for protection malwarebytes pro is great to pair with one of the above antivirus programs.but i digress.let us know how it goes.

ryansclzo · Mar 20, 2014

boosted1g :

Well I have tried kaspersky and it does loop. I know windows defender wasn't going to clean everything but it did get rid of the malware. Now I am just looking for a way to get the computer to boot.

I am about to wipe the hard drive through hiren's live linux.

aldan · Mar 20, 2014

still wont boot to the windows install disk? if you cant get it to boot to that or the hirens boot disk,try removing both the cmos battery as well as the laptop battery for a couple of minutes.with the batteries removed hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds.then reinstall the batteries and try booting to the disk.

ryansclzo · Mar 20, 2014

aldan :

I have already updated the bios but that didn't work. So I will try that, I was hoping to not do that because its harder to get to the cmos battery on this case. Wish me luck.

aldan · Mar 20, 2014

hope it works out for you.still watching.

HyNrgy · Mar 20, 2014

here is what everyone is saying and i do not think anyone has talked about cmos so far.

1) new hard drive needs a fresh install of the OS on the computer it is going to be used on/with
2) startup laptop and get into bios (f1, f2, f10 or whatever key does it and sometimes you have to keep pressing it as soon as you hit the on button)
3) put install disk in drive or usb
4) have bios set to boot from optical drive, or usb if you make a bootable install usb
5) save and exit
6) if it does not bood from optical restart computer and see if it does then
7) follow installation with a full install and full format on hard drive
8) after that you will have to go into the process of registering with key, updates and the bunch
9) install a good antivirus which both free and paid have been mentioned (i use bitdefender myself)
10) install malwarebytes anti malware free or paid
11) enjoy system
12) if you do not go with a paid full suite you may want to look into a firewall program like zone alarm, comodo, online armour (i prefer online and comodo)

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