Windows XP Freezes and Beeps: it might be a MBR virus
I worked on my cousin's notebook to fix a strange problem: the notebook was freezing randomly and sometimes after freezes it started emitting a strange beep.
Well, I investigated the problem for some time, used some antivirus, anti spyware etc. but the problem was still there.
Then I started looking for similar problems on the Internet where I finally found this forum post.
People there suggested that it could be an MBR virus. I never fought a MBR virus. Those kind of viruses are pretty interesting as they don't reside on the hard disk as normal files but they rather resides in a special area of the drive, were usually resides the program to load the operating system.
People on the forum suggested to use the RootRepeal tool, a program used to check for malware: rootkits and hidden background programs.
Well.. this tool turned out to be a great one. Using the file checking routines it was able to find the MBR virus and by clicking with the left button on the MBR infection report it was possible to fix and reboot the computer. Is pretty important to choose the repair and reboot option as there could be some virus program which could redamage the MBR nullifying the erasion.
So, if you are experiencing those strange behaviors I really suggest to give to this tool a try.
Great, thanks
Fantastic, RootRepeal worked perfectly, no more freezing and beeping!!
THANK YOU !
Worked for Me..
I had exactly the sme problem - after visiting a website I had a forced shutdown followed by slow booting and freezing of windows (especially the start menu) and eventually beeping. I too was very fortunate to come across the post refferrenced. I had been at the point of despair (Norton AV 2009 scanned with nothing found) - and teh tool mentioned above (RootRepeal) found the MBR infection and fixed it in a matter of seconds.... Phew!
I'm wondering what would
I'm wondering what would happen by using canonical "fixmbr" command to fix the MBR instead of using that tool you suggested.
BTW... GRUB or LILO are always the best solution! :-D
Well, I think that, if
Well, I think that, if executed from the operating system, it probably won't work as the virus might protect itself as it is executing somehow..
Instead if executed from a boot cd, like the Windows installation CDs, it might work.
Anyway the RootRepeal approach is faster and easier.
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