Toshiba Satellite L455D Laptop virus?

[Darthgumby]

Hello everyone.

I am wondering what could be the cause of my issue with my laptop.  It was brought to my attention about a couple weeks ago.  I would start the laptop and everything would just freeze up.  Network would not connect, antivrius was disabled, and start menu was not responding.  Eventually I would get a message saying Windows was not responded and to end the process.  Bad news, right?  But it would start in safe mode fine.  So I backed up all my files and did a system restore (reset to factory settings)

The restore went through, but I had a long of factory standard junk software I didn't care for.  So, shortly after I did a clean install of Windows 7, deleted all partitions, and started over fresh.  I put all my files back on again, and it worked fine for a few days.  In fact, it worked perfectly.  Then suddenly the same things started to happen -it would start up, then not respond, lock up, and eventually require a hard restart.  The whole time safe mode works just fine, but normal mode will not.

Thinking it was a file that was causing it to be corrupt, I did another clean install of Windows 7, updated all my drivers, and it was running like a peach again.  Worked fine through plugged in, unplugged, restarts, idle, shut down and back up again.  There was nothing wrong with it.  I did not put any old files on it this time, just keep the updates up on it and didn't go to any strange sites or download anything bogus.  Just kept a clean copy to monitor.  But just today now it is locking up on startup again, acting the same way.  I know it is not a file causing it.  I'm thinking it has to either be a windows update that is messing with the hardware, or there is a virus.

Has anyone heard of a virus that works like this?  Is something hiding deep in the system that is programmed to show up after so long?  Or do you think it was an update through Windows that has a compatibility issue?  I haven't seen any other complaints on this model, so I am thinking it is not specific to my make/model.  Aside from Windows I am running Avast, ThreatFire, Google Chrome, and that's about it.  I have no other software installed aside from normal java updates, flash player, and drivers from the company's site for this model.

[Darthgumby]

Looks like now the main problem is with the OS.  I could not connect using the network icon in the lower right, but once I connected through the control panel things seemed to respond again.  Avast also was not secure until a few minutes into the internet connection.  Testing now things seem to be OK, but i'm still nervous as I did just go back to a restore point.  I'll keep everyone updated on what I see.

[Darthgumby]

Some more symptoms I noticed:

System restore points are no longer available
My antivirus is disabled
Windows startup in normal mode takes *forever* to load and respond
MalwareBytes found a "FaXcool.exe" virus
I tried removing a recent Windows update, which did not help.

I am now wondering if there was a virus attached to my HDD that is not being removed when I reinstall the OS?  It acts like it is set to error out the computer after everything is running for a few days and updates are installed.  I had several system restore points on the device prior to it goofing up on me - does anyone know what might cause this?

[Daisymae70]

If you have a spare HD you might try installing your Win7 on a new HD since you are having to install Win 7 all over again anyway, and see if that makes a difference.  Many oddities.  But the HD might be a place to start.  Unless the Win 7 OS is a bad.


Take a look at this link and see if you can extract anything.

http://www.frihost.com/forums/vt-2423.html

[SuperDave]

Hello and welcome to Computer Hope Forum. My name is Dave. I will be helping you out with your particular problem on your computer.

1. I will be working on your Malware issues. This may or may not solve other issues you have with your machine.
2. The fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for this issue on this machine.
3. If you don't know or understand something, please don't hesitate to ask.
4. Please DO NOT run any other tools or scans while I am helping you.
5. It is important that you reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
6. Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.
7. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.

If you can't access the internet with your infected computer you will have to download and transfer any programs to the computer you're using now and transfer them to the infected computer with a CD-RW or a USB storage device. I prefer a CD because a storage device can get infected. If you use a storage device hold the shift key down while inserting the USB storage device for about 10 secs. You will also have to transfer the logs you receive back to the good computer using the same method until we can get the computer back on-line.
*************************************************************************
Did you do a re-format or just recovered your computer with the Recovery Console?

Let's run a few more scans to see what turns up.

Please download aswMBR.exe ( 511KB ) to your desktop.

Double click the aswMBR.exe to run it



Click the "Scan" button to start scan

Note: Do not take action against any **Rootkit** entries until I have reviewed the log. Often there are false positives



On completion of the scan click save log, save it to your desktop and post in your next reply

[Darthgumby]

Yeah...ok

Anyway I just tried a new used hard drive that I had in another laptop.  There should be no reason why the laptop wouldn't work now- at least not the same reasons.  We'll see as the upcoming week unfolds.