[GenScherm]

My old Inspiron was recently infected with a whole host of malware--first installed a porn link to my facebook page, then installed a fake "Protection Center" on my computer, along with a host of China and other viruses identified, looking for me, of course, to give them my VISA car to buy the more than demo version, blah blah blah.

What's amazing is its protection. I've unloaded all the data I need from the computer, I have all the disks, and I'm ready to SCORCH THE EARTH--format c:

But these guys know that. When I go to format, (format c: etc.), I get a message that says "that volume is now running." I ask the computer to bypass that problem, and it complains that it cannot lock the disk, that my request is denied. Basically, the virus won't let me erase the disk volume.

My challenge here (what brings me here instead of the Geeksquad) is NOT TO PAY to have this removed. Please someone suggest a way to kill this thing so I can format the hard disk and start over. And yes then I'll install a better antivirus...

TS

[casper0191]

Well have you tried to reformat the whole C: with a OS installer?

[rainforest123]

G S / TS:
Hello & Welcome to Tech Guy Forum.

It would be useful to know the following:
version of Windows; which XP / Vista; which service pack

brand, model, model # of your computer

As casper noted: do you have a Win installation disk, or PC manufacturer system recovery disk / disk set?

How are you trying to format C:, from within Windows?
"When I go to format, (format c: etc.), I get a message that says "that volume is now running.""
Probably yes. If so, the message is standard. Windows is trying to protect you from yourself. No disrespect intended.

Is your hard disk drive a single partition, or multiple partitions?

RF123

[GenScherm]

I think I mentioned this is a Dell Inspiron 1100.
Running XP Professional
Version 2002 (!!!)
Service Pack 3

Disk is not partitioned.

I guess what you're saying is that if I just try to re-install the OS, a PART of that process reformats the disk? I imagined that if I tried that, again, the computer would protect me from myself.

So yes, I've been going to the MS-DOS prompt, changing the directory to C:\>, then using the format c: command. Of course it asked me what /fs etc, and I've got by that.

[GenScherm]

By the way--the viruses currently infecting the system are reported as the following:

email-worm.win32.netsky.q
net-worm.win32.dipnet.d
net-worm.win32.mytob.t
Rootkit.win32.Agent.pp
trojan-downloader.js.multi.ca
trojan.win32.agent.dcc
virus.win32.pgcode.ak

Half of these--perhaps all of them--sound fake, although I know the thing is really fatally infected.

[Techmonkeys]

As already mentioned you need a Windows disk to format your machine. You cannot format the C: drive from within windows as it is using the C: to run Windows.

It is not the virus stopping you it is Windows itself.

Insert your windows/repair CD, reboot and follow the step.

Alternatively grab yourself a HiJackThis log and request assistance in removing the infections here.

[perfume]

Originally Posted by GenScherm

By the way--the viruses currently infecting the system are reported as the following:

email-worm.win32.netsky.q
net-worm.win32.dipnet.d
net-worm.win32.mytob.t
Rootkit.win32.Agent.pp
trojan-downloader.js.multi.ca
trojan.win32.agent.dcc
virus.win32.pgcode.ak

Half of these--perhaps all of them--sound fake, although I know the thing is really fatally infected.

Dear GenScherm,
You said it! It is a fatal infection. Bite the bullet and re-install the OS from scratch. What's lost is lost! I am really at your service should you require any assistance regarding a Backup and Restore, which you should think about(seriously) taking on to an external HD
!Best wishes!

[Kenny94]

Backup and Restore, which you should think about(seriously) taking on to an external HD

Just be sure the data you Backup is not infected! Or you will spread the intections all over again....

[GenScherm]

What you say is obviously true, and it makes sense, but this whole brand of cyber-terrorism (like the bombing kind) has this awful effect on "normality": once a virus produces a lying warning message, and I know it's a lie, I never know what to believe and what not to. I'll get the bootable Windows disk and try again.

[perfume]

Originally Posted by Kenny94

Just be sure the data you Backup is not infected! Or you will spread the intections all over again....

Dear Kenny94,
Thank u for the top point! If one backs up an infected files, folders etc,etc, the whole point of B&R is lost! I have been mentioning this in the site a number of times!

[casper0191]

Well i kind a got lost on the problem. But I think you are going to need a OS CD installer on the system so that you can format the computer.