Can't Wipe HD

[Lothar1974]

Hi,

Brothers kid was surfing some bad sites and got ransomware virus. I have several HD wipe programs and tried to wipe the drive but nothing worked. All either didn't detect a hard drive or errored when loading. Tried Killdisk, HDDErase, Darik's Boot and Nuke and one other I cant recall the name right now. Also tried Western Digitals Hard drive Utility. Nothing worked. I was able to Reload Windows 7 and format and delete the partition. Reload went fine. Is this the virus causing this or possibly something with the PC components? Any thoughts and or suggestions? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Ketchup]

Is this the board in the sig? I could see this happening if booting off a CD and the CD doesn't have the software to recognize the hard drive controller being used.

For example, the board in your sig has an Asmedia controller and an Intel controller.

 

[Lothar1974]

No , he has a gateway PC. About 2 or 3 years old, cant recall the model. Can get it after work.

 

[Virgorising]

Did you try to repartition first before nuking?
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Edit: what I meant is, did you remove any remaining partitions on the drive?

 

[Lothar1974]

Tried wiping it and couldn't so then tried that, still couldn't use the wipe disks. Then used Windows and formatted and still couldn't use the wiping software. Could only delete or format the partition using windows disk.

 

[Smoove910]

here's what I would do...

- in the run area, type msconfig
- go to the 'startup' tab
- see if you can identify what baddies are starting with the computer. Unclick them from running on next startup
- exit and save (reboot)
- upon reboot, download/install the latest version of Malwarebytes if you have not done so already (might have to install from a thumbdrive if you don't have internet access).

I'm thinking it will find and remove all associated crap tied to the ransomware. Had the same issue on a bro-in-law's sons pc and this resolved it.

Lastly, have him stop surfing porn!

 

[Lothar1974]

I was able to format when I used Windows Disk, formatted several times. After I had Windows loaded and updated I ran Norton Power Eraser in safe mode, Also ran Malwarebytes and Microsoft Safety Scanner. All came up clean. I also installed NIS again and updated and ran scan, nothing. Ran Trend Micro House Call, nothing. Have had it up and running for a few days with no signs of anything, yet Was more so concerned why all the software I have to wipe the HD didn't work.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I posted this some time ago in the Storage forum, but here it is again:

If the computer has a DVD drive, and can boot a Windows 7 install disc, then simply do that, and after you get to the disk screen, hit (I think) SHIFT+F10 to bring up a command prompt window. Type "DISKPART" to start DiskPart.

Type "LIST DISK"
It will show a number list of the drives in the computer.
Type "SELECT DISK #" or whatever number the disk you want to wipe is.
Type "LIST DISK" again just to make sure. It should show your selected disk as selected.
Type "CLEAN ALL" to zero-wipe the ENTIRE drive. (Note: Disk contents will be un-recoverable!)

This may take a while, depending on the size of the disk.

If you want to install Windows 7 onto that disk, simply click "Refresh" on the disk screen, then create a partition and select it to install.

 

[Lothar1974]

Thanks for the replies, will try the last suggested if something pops up / doesn't look right.

 

[Virgorising]

I posted this some time ago in the Storage forum, but here it is again:

If the computer has a DVD drive, and can boot a Windows 7 install disc, then simply do that, and after you get to the disk screen, hit (I think) SHIFT+F10 to bring up a command prompt window. Type "DISKPART" to start DiskPart.

Type "LIST DISK"
It will show a number list of the drives in the computer.
Type "SELECT DISK #" or whatever number the disk you want to wipe is.
Type "LIST DISK" again just to make sure. It should show your selected disk as selected.
Type "CLEAN ALL" to zero-wipe the ENTIRE drive. (Note: Disk contents will be un-recoverable!)

This may take a while, depending on the size of the disk.

If you want to install Windows 7 onto that disk, simply click "Refresh" on the disk screen, then create a partition and select it to install.

Brilliant! I am saving this!

 

[Virgorising]

I was able to format when I used Windows Disk, formatted several times. After I had Windows loaded and updated I ran Norton Power Eraser in safe mode, Also ran Malwarebytes and Microsoft Safety Scanner. All came up clean. I also installed NIS again and updated and ran scan, nothing. Ran Trend Micro House Call, nothing. Have had it up and running for a few days with no signs of anything, yet Was more so concerned why all the software I have to wipe the HD didn't work.

Well done! Boy, this is some lucky kid to have an uncle so puter savvy, kind, and willing to exhaust himself to clean up after him. What he's doing is kinda normal (I mean assuming it's not ALL HE DOES()), but maybe you can teach him to stay safer online?

 

[Virgorising]

Cause I never heard of this thing, this ransomware thing, I just delved. What I found below is interesting, you may find it helpful for future reference. This sounds like some truly disgusting/scary thing, boy!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130404194531AA6wPzQ

 

[Lothar1974]

Yeah I read up on it, not a good thing. I blame my brother for not locking the PC down correctly. I am setting them up on norton safe web. Should be no repeat instances of this

 

[Virgorising]

Yeah I read up on it, not a good thing. I blame my brother for not locking the PC down correctly. I am setting them up on norton safe web. Should be no repeat instances of this

What this thing is is CRAZY SCARY. When I found what I put up a link to, I was like, OMG, never before have I ever seen ANYTHING requiring this level of complex/convoluted fixing!
RANSOM??????????

I am VERY impressed by how calm you remained for the duration.:thumbsup:

I adore Norton, and, while I don't use that feature, am sure it's as good as everything Norton now.

Congrats!