Inactive Computer remains on black screen at boot (most likely virus)

[ajross]

Hello All,

I've recently been inspired to work on my Dell Studio 1536 laptop that, from what I believe, is infected with a very nasty virus (rootkit, even?).

Symptoms and issues and progress I can make are:

• Computer will turn on, and load the startup screen where F8 or F12 may be pressed to change boot or enter BIOS (I cannot enter safe mode; I'm given no option to do so throughout the loading process). However, I can select how I would like to boot from F12 or enter BIOS setup by pressing F8
• If I try to boot from my HD, it enters a black screen where it hangs. Nothing.
• If I try to boot from a CD in the DVD drive, it starts loading, but hangs mid-startup. Nothing
• If I try to boot from a USB drive, it hangs. Nothing.

What I have tried to do to outsmart this thing:

• Reinstalling the OS from a disk -- it feels as if it is stopped; uncompleted
• Deleting the entire HD with a third-party utility -- Failed. Interupted and continues to hang during loadup
• USB drive installation is the same way -- hanging
• I can, however, load into a linux/unix operating system and "see" the drive. Unfortunately, I can't access it. There is an error that occurs.

I do not need anything on the laptop; nuking would be perfect for me at this point. Suggestions? I can provide screenshots if needed!

Thank you all for your time and help!
A.

 

[Broni]

Did you format the drive before reinstalling Windows?