Please Help, Re install issues.

[vlad06]

Hello everyone, I recently caught a disgusting computer virus/trojan that decided to run rampage on my system files to the point where no anti virus programme could do anything about it. Trojan remover was a good help as it told me that userint was corrupted and would need complete replacing, as it could not disinfect it. Trojan remover linked me to a helpful site that had a step by step process on how to recover certain windows files from your windows cd, using the repair facility, but it looked too complicated and I was too lazy so I decided to be stupid and do something else. I installed avast and did a full system scan and just clicked 'delete' for every file that showed up as infected, this must be where I messed up because after the scan I couldnt get past the user account screen, I imagine this was because important system files were infected and then deleted by me.

It eventually got so bad that I couldn't log into windows at all, as soon as I entered my password and logged in it would just log me out, instantly, it did this for all user accounts, I tried in safe mode, but no success.

I then decided to reboot with my windows installer cd and get going with a repair, it apparently repaired it and the whole process actually resembled a full re-install, I got my hopes up, only to find that it still wouldn't get past the 'Choose User Account' screen once the so called 'repair' had finished.

My next step was to completely re-install windows, I only have one hard disk and have too much to lose if I format it, as nothing was backed up, so I did the re-install on the same hard disk as the current windows but to the directory of Windows2.

I did this only to at least get a working system back on my machine, so I could access my files, back them up and then do a complete format and re install everything neatly.

The problem now lies in the folder which was my administrator account on the previous windows install, I try to access it, as it holds the old 'my documents' folder etc but it says 'Access Denied'

I'm assuming this is because this account had a password? because I can access the other folders of the users in my house who didnt have a password.....

What can I do to get into this? And what should I have done?

I'm beginning to think I went the wrong way about this and now I'm paying for my inability, will I ever get these files back?

Many thanks in advance.

[catgate]

So it looks as though you may well have the evil thing still present?

Try Trend Housecall. I think Housecall will cover your Window2 directory.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Your main problem is that your original Windows installation is still infected; you will need to clean it.

As catgate mentioned in his previous post, TrendMicro HouseCall is a good online scanner to start with. Choose version 6.6 at the bottom of the screen.

This is one of the steps you should have taken before reinstalling Windows.

Also, if you are up-to-date with Windows updates, the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (C:\WINDOWS\system32\MRT.exe) is a very powerful tool to remove malware. It must, however, run under the infected Windows system, not from a secondary installation.

There are a number of other free online scans that you can try, e.g.

• http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm
  
• http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/
  

What are your installed anti-malware applications?

P.S. I forgot to mention that you will need to reclaim ownership of your old files and folders in the original Windows installation. However, it might be easier to just login to your old Windows - assuming that you now have a dual-boot system? What version of Windows, b.t.w.?

[vlad06]

Thank for the swift reply.

I'm running on windows Home edition service pack 2.

I've never heard of dual boot system, will I be able to to boot from my old windows directory? Only problem is, if I did that, I wouldn't be able to log in.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Sorry, I didn't read your original post carefully; it appears that you installed into the original partition, but a new Windows folder. In that case you don't have a dual boot system.

Search Google on how to reclaim ownership, and once you can access your old data again, try to clean your system of malware.

[Seshomaru Samma]

or alternatively - use knoppix to rescue your files (move then to a removable device /burn to a cd/DVD or whatever) then reinstall windows or just get rid of the old windows

[Dencandy]

The recommended method for reclaiming ownership of files or folders after a repair or re-install is described by MICROSOFT HERE.