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Posted on Apr 24, 2009
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I have a virus lodged in Drive C. I have tried to delete the partition in My Computer Disk Management, the command prompt and with a boot CD where it gives you the option to delete partitions...cannot delete any partitions because they are on the boot volume. No virus software is removing the virus...Time for a new computer???

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NOT time for a new computer, unless the virus is in the memory and the bios and elsewhere such as graphics memory.

Contact Microsoft by phone and let them know that you need to use the C(ertificate) O(f) A(uthenticity) on a brand new hard drive to which you will install windows after the removal of your suspect drive.

If you are comfortable doing this, you already have enough info from me on the process and if you are not comfortable with the process, turn it over to a nerd near you.

  • Anonymous Apr 25, 2009

    Even if you manage to delete the partition, it is VERY LIKELY that the virus resides on the boot sector of the infected drive.

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  • Posted on Apr 24, 2009
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You can still get rid of the partition. Download DBAN (Darrik's Boot and Nuke) here: http://www.dban.org/download
Burn this image to a cd or put it on a floppy disk or flash drive. I can almost guarantee that this will delete the partition. If it still won't delete the partition, you can either take the computer to a repair shop and have them delete the partition for you, or you can buy a new hard drive. Both choices will cost about the same so it's really up to you.
Please rate, thanks!

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My vista is not performoing well .it dosent startup properly.only a black screen is comming.no msg is coming.it is only working in safemode.now i am in ubuntu
Resolution : Fallow method 1 or method 2 no data will be deleted.To resolve this issue, you must have the Windows XP CD-ROM. If you do not have the Windows XP CD-ROM available,

If you have the Windows XP CD-ROM, use one of the following methods. Method 1: Troubleshoot the specific element that causes Windows not to loadNote This option requires that you perform multiple steps to determine the exact element that causes the issue. This option may allow for you to keep customizations in Windows.
  1. Restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, press the F8 key while Windows is starting. Then, create a Windows XP boot disk to start the computer.

    For more information about how to create a Windows XP boot disk, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 305595 How to create a bootable floppy disk for an NTFS or FAT partition in Windows XP 315222 A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XPIf you can start the computer from the boot disk without receiving an error message, the damage is limited to the master boot record, the boot sector, or the NTLDR file. After Windows XP is running, immediately back up all data before you try to fix the boot sector.

    Use Disk Management to view the partition information and to verify that the disk partition (or partitions) is correct. To use Disk Management, follow these steps:
    1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
    2. Expand Storage, and then click Disk Management.
    If invalid partitions are present or you cannot start your computer by using a boot disk, consider reinstalling Windows XP on your computer and restoring your data and configuration information from a recent backup.

    If you do not have a current backup copy of the data on the computer, contact a computer specialist to determine the best method of data recovery and configuration.
  2. Run a current virus scanning program to verify that no virus is present.( In safe mode)
  3. Repair the master boot record by using the FIXMBR command from the Windows XP Recovery Console.

    For more information about how to use the Recovery Console, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 307654 How to install and use the Recovery console in Windows XPNote For more information about an error message that you may receive when you use the FIXMBR command, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 266745 Error message when you run fixmbr commandWarning If your computer is infected with a virus and you use the FIXMBR command, you may be unable to start the computer. Before you use this command, make sure that the computer is not infected with a virus.
  4. If the primary boot partition is a FAT partition, use the FIXBOOT command from the Windows XP Recovery Console to write a new boot sector on the system partition, and then use the FIXMBR command to repair the master boot record.
Method 2: Repair your Windows installationNote Repairing your Windows installation may change the configuration of Windows. You may also have to follow this step if you complete all the troubleshooting in steps option 1 and the problem is not resolved.
  1. Use the Windows XP CD-ROM to start your computer. On the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to set up Windows XP.
  2. Press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
  3. Use the ARROW keys to select the Windows XP installation that you want to repair, and then press R.

    Windows XP Setup repairs the installation files, Windows XP automatically restarts, and then the Setup program finishes the repair of your Windows XP installation.
  4. Follow the remaining steps to set up Windows.

    Note You must have your 25-character product key to complete these steps.
  5. As soon as this issue is resolved, make sure that the firewall is enabled, and then visit the following Microsoft Web site to reinstall the latest updates: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
  6. Run a virus scan on the computer because problems with corrupted elements can be attributed to viruses.
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Dec 26, 2010 • Computers & Internet
tip

Creating a bootable flash drive
<p><b>Resolution:</b><br /> <p>The USB Flash Drive must be configured with an active primary MS-DOS partition. It must also contain the boot files. Follow the steps below to create a bootable USB Flash Drive. <br /> <p><b>Requirements:</b><br /> <ul> <li> Motherboard with BIOS that supports USB boot. <li> USB Flash Drive that may be erased. <li> Bootable floppy disk or CD with Fdisk and Format commands. </li></ul> <p><b>Directions:</b><br /> <ol> <li> Plug in the USB Flash Drive. <li> Make the USB drive the only bootable hard drive. <b>Method 1:</b><br />If available, change the BIOS settings for the hard drive sequence, making sure the USB device is at the top of the list above all other hard drives. Not all BIOS Setup Utilities have this option. <b> Method 2:</b><br /> Disable all hard drives in the BIOS. In some BIOS Setup Utilities you can disable the individual hard drives, while in others you will need to disable the controller. <b> Method 3:</b><br /> Unplug all hard drive cables inside the case. If the cables are unplugged the computer cannot detect and boot to the hard drive. <li> Insert the bootable floppy disk or CD into the appropriate drive. <li> Restart the computer to the bootable floppy disk or CD. <li> At the command prompt, type: FDisk. <li> Delete and create a new active primary DOS partition. <li> Use FDisk to delete all partitions from the USB Flash Drive. <ul> <li> In FDisk, press the 3 key to Delete partition or Logical DOS Drive. <li> If there is just one partition on the drive, choose 1 to delete the primary DOS partition. If there are several partitions, the extended and logical partitions must be deleted before the primary partition. <li> After choosing option 1, the screen appears with partition information and a prompt for the partition to delete. Choose which primary DOS partition to delete, and then press ENTER. <li> A prompt appears to enter the volume label of the hard drive. Enter the label exactly as it appears on the top of the screen in the partition information. If the volume label contains gibberish or lowercase letters, the partition will have to be deleted as a non-DOS partition. Try using the option to delete a non-DOS partition in FDISK. After entering the volume label, press ENTER. <li> You are prompted if it should delete the partition. Press Y for Yes, and then press ENTER. <li> The screen changes to show only the total disk space and a line near the bottom that prompts that the primary DOS partition has been deleted. Press the ESC key to return to the main menu. </li></ul> <li> Use FDisk to create a primary partition on the USB Flash Drive. The drive letter will be C:, since all other hard drives were disabled in step 2. <ul> <li> In FDisk, press 1 to Create DOS partition or Logical DOS drive. <li> Press 1 to Create a Primary DOS Partition. <li> The next screen prompts if the maximum hard disk size should be made into one partition. Press the Y key, and then press ENTER. <li> The next screen prompts that the computer will now reboot. Press ENTER to continue. </li></ul> <li> Exit FDisk and restart the computer. <li> Start the computer from the bootable floppy disk or CD with the USB Flash Drive still connected. <li> At the command prompt, run Format by typing the following command: Format c: /s. Press ENTER. <li> At the command prompt, run FDisk by typing following command: Fdisk /mbr. Press ENTER. <li> Restart the computer without the bootable floppy disk or CD, and attempt to boot to the USB Flash Drive. If it works, it should go to a C:\&gt; command prompt. <li> Change the settings made in step 2 back so that the computer operates normally again. </li></ol>
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on Mar 14, 2011 • Computers & Internet
tip

Creating Bootable USB Flash Drive.
The USB Flash Drive must be configured with an active primary MS-DOS partition. It must also contain the boot files. Follow the steps below to create a bootable USB Flash Drive.
Requirements:
  • Motherboard with BIOS that supports USB boot.
  • USB Flash Drive that may be erased.
  • Bootable floppy disk or CD with Fdisk and Format commands.
Directions:
  1. Plug in the USB Flash Drive.
  2. Make the USB drive the only bootable hard drive. Method 1:
    If available, change the BIOS settings for the hard drive sequence, making sure the USB device is at the top of the list above all other hard drives. Not all BIOS Setup Utilities have this option. Method 2:
    Disable all hard drives in the BIOS. In some BIOS Setup Utilities you can disable the individual hard drives, while in others you will need to disable the controller. Method 3:
    Unplug all hard drive cables inside the case. If the cables are unplugged the computer cannot detect and boot to the hard drive.
  3. Insert the bootable floppy disk or CD into the appropriate drive.
  4. Restart the computer to the bootable floppy disk or CD.
  5. At the command prompt, type: FDisk.
  6. Delete and create a new active primary DOS partition.
  7. Use FDisk to delete all partitions from the USB Flash Drive.
    • In FDisk, press the 3 key to Delete partition or Logical DOS Drive.
    • If there is just one partition on the drive, choose 1 to delete the primary DOS partition. If there are several partitions, the extended and logical partitions must be deleted before the primary partition.
    • After choosing option 1, the screen appears with partition information and a prompt for the partition to delete. Choose which primary DOS partition to delete, and then press ENTER.
    • A prompt appears to enter the volume label of the hard drive. Enter the label exactly as it appears on the top of the screen in the partition information. If the volume label contains gibberish or lowercase letters, the partition will have to be deleted as a non-DOS partition. Try using the option to delete a non-DOS partition in FDISK. After entering the volume label, press ENTER.
    • You are prompted if it should delete the partition. Press Y for Yes, and then press ENTER.
    • The screen changes to show only the total disk space and a line near the bottom that prompts that the primary DOS partition has been deleted. Press the ESC key to return to the main menu.
  8. Use FDisk to create a primary partition on the USB Flash Drive. The drive letter will be C:, since all other hard drives were disabled in step 2.
    • In FDisk, press 1 to Create DOS partition or Logical DOS drive.
    • Press 1 to Create a Primary DOS Partition.
    • The next screen prompts if the maximum hard disk size should be made into one partition. Press the Y key, and then press ENTER.
    • The next screen prompts that the computer will now reboot. Press ENTER to continue.
  9. Exit FDisk and restart the computer.
  10. Start the computer from the bootable floppy disk or CD with the USB Flash Drive still connected.
  11. At the command prompt, run Format by typing the following command: Format c: /s. Press ENTER.
  12. At the command prompt, run FDisk by typing following command: Fdisk /mbr. Press ENTER.
  13. Restart the computer without the bootable floppy disk or CD, and attempt to boot to the USB Flash Drive. If it works, it should go to a C:\> command prompt.
  14. Change the settings made in step 2 back so that the computer operates normally again.
Read full tip
on Mar 31, 2010 • Computers & Internet
0helpful
2answers

How to install window XP on CQ40 laptop .
check your boot setting first in the cmos/bios of your laptop, look for the boot order from there choose your cd/dvd rom as your first boot device then the hard drive 2nd, you will need to this because in order for you to install xp, when you are done save the setting that you have made then restart the machine, insert your windows installation disc, it will prompt you to press any key to boot from the cd rom, from it will check you system config, then just follow the instruction given to you by the installation process read it carefully then it will be easy as 123, windows will guide you thru the installation process and will ask you for the lincense key, just make sure that you use a genuine copy of window if not you wont be able to register your o.s and you wont get the updates from windows
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Nov 26, 2009 • Compaq Presario Notebook
0helpful
1answer

Say's it needs to initialize and comes up with eisa.
The EISA partition is a partition that a computer manufacturer places on the disc to assist in recovery of that maker's files. It is not necessary to have this partition if you do not intend to perfrom a factory recovery. I will include a guide below to assist you in a deletion of that partition. To initialize a disc, it can be done ways, boot the computer and it will advise you the disc has not been initialized and will initiate a wizard to assist. I attach the hard drive to another computer using an EIDE/SATA to USB adapter, it will be recognized as an external drive but will not give it a drive letter because it is not initialized. You have to go to the control panel > administrator tools > computer management > disc management. Look in the right lower pane and it will show the drive with a grayed out box to the left, it may label the drive as drive 03 or 04 etc. Right click on the drive number and choose initiate. The computer will initiate the drive and give it a letter. It will also ask you if you want to initiate the drive as a bootable drive, choose yes. Below is the guide to delete that EISA partition so you can use the drive in any laptop you see fit.

EISA Partition Delete

1. Open a command prompt as administrator.
2. Run Diskpart application by typing Diskpart in the command prompt.
3. In the “Diskpart” prompt, enter rescan command and press Enter key to re-scan all partitions, volumes and drives available.
4. Then type in list disk and press Enter key to show all hard disk drive available.
5. Select the disk that contains the partition you want to remove. Normally, with just 1 hard disk, it will be disk 0. So the command will be:
select disk 0
Finish by Enter key.
6. Type list partition and press Enter key to show all available and created partition in the disk selected.
7. Select the partition that wanted to be deleted by using the following command, followed by Enter key:
select partition x
where x is the number of the EISA based recovery partition to be removed and unlocked its space. Be careful with the number of this partition, as wrong number may get data wipes off.
8. Finally, type in delete partition override and press Enter key.
Once the partition has been deleted, exit from Diskpart, and now users can use the much familiar and much easier Disk Management tool in Windows (diskmgmt.msc) to manipulate the freed unallocated partition. Users can create a new volume (partition) with this space, or simply merge it to existing partition by extending the size of the existing partition.

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Nov 19, 2009 • Toshiba MK8025GAS 80 GB ATA-100 Hard Drive
0helpful
2answers

I am trying to format c: and erase everything on that drive i dont have a boot disk however just the windows xp pro disk and i cant remember how to get into command prompt
You can't format the drive while Windows is running. Insert the CD, reboot, and follow the prompts to delete and re-add the main partition, then do a Quick format.
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Nov 02, 2009 • Microsoft Windows XP Professional With...
2helpful
3answers

I want to replace vista with xp, but When I tried to install os it is booting from cd but it is not recognising harddisk
its because of sata hard disk
you have to download sata driver from the website
and copy in to one floppy
connect floppy in to the computer
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press f6
select which version
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Read full answer
Nov 01, 2009 • Compaq Presario C700T Notebook
2helpful
2answers

Motherboeard wont detect my ide drive
The HP drive has what is called an EISA partition on it, this partition holds HP information incase of a recovery. It has to be deleted in order for you to use this drive on another computer. If you have an EIDE / SATA to usb adapter you can attach this hard drive to another computer to access it. The adapter can be bought ast a computer retailer, ebay etc. for about 20 bucks. When you get the hard drive attached, look in "My Computer" to nake sure it shows up there and write down the drive letter it gave it. Below is the procedure to delete the EISA partition, follow it closely and you'll be fine. Just make sure that when you are in the command prompt, you DO NOT do anything with Drive 0 that is your main drive on the computer and that is not to be messed with.

Here’s the trick to delete and remove the EISA recovery or diagnostic partition in Vista. Before proceeding with the deletion action, make sure that at least a set of Recovery Disc Media has been created. Else, you won’t be able to restore your computer to working and factory default condition when any problem on PC requires reinstallation.
  1. Open a command prompt as administrator.
  2. Run Diskpart application by typing Diskpart in the command prompt.
  3. In the “Diskpart” prompt, enter rescan command and press Enter key to re-scan all partitions, volumes and drives available.
  4. Then type in list disk and press Enter key to show all hard disk drive available.
  5. Select the disk that contains the partition you want to remove. Normally, with just 1 hard disk, it will be disk 0. So the command will be:
select disk 0
Finish by Enter key.
  1. Type list partition and press Enter key to show all available and created partition in the disk selected.
  2. Select the partition that wanted to be deleted by using the following command, followed by Enter key:
select partition x
where x is the number of the EISA based recovery partition to be removed and unlocked its space. Be careful with the number of this partition, as wrong number may get data wipes off.
  1. Finally, type in delete partition override and press Enter key.
Once the partition has been deleted, exit from Diskpart, and now users can use the much familiar and much easier Disk Management tool in Windows (diskmgmt.msc) to manipulate the freed unallocated partition. Users can create a new volume (partition) with this space, or simply merge it to existing partition by extending the size of the existing partition.
Read full answer
Oct 02, 2009 • Computers & Internet
2helpful
3answers

Hard drive capacity loss!!
What the re-installation did was partition the HD with the small (24GB) partition and most likely left the rest of the disk un-partitioned. If you are familiar with Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Computer Management / Storage / Disk Management, you may be able to add a second partition to the present one in the laptop. If you see an open area that doesn't appear to have a partition this is what occurred. Right click the "C-drive" line and add a partition.
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Sep 18, 2009 • Toshiba Satellite A105 Notebook
0helpful
1answer

AVG 7 detecdted Virus Hurri on partition table. How do I remove ?
You will need to fix the master boot record with the Windows XP Recovery Console. To do this, you will need a Windows XP install CD.

Here are the steps to use the recovery console:

To run the Recovery Console from the Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD-ROM, follow these steps:
  1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.

    Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted.
  2. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
  3. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you must access from the Recovery Console.
  4. When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
  5. At the command prompt, type the appropriate commands to diagnose and repair your Windows XP installation.

In this instance, the correct commands are:

c:\fixmbr
c:\fixboot
The type exit after finishing then remove the Original OS CD.
The machine will reboot properly.

This will fix your boot sector

And All should be well

Read full answer
Dec 28, 2008 • Microsoft Windows 98 for PC
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