Can't delete HDD partitions!

Naf

Hi, I've just had great help trying to remove a particularly nasty virus from a friend's laptop. The thing is so embedded in the system that I can't even run the system reinstall on the recovery partition.
Tried using another Win 7 install disk & it can't delete the partitions to start installing.
Even booting Ubuntu from a USB then trying with Gparted, the partitions are still intact. I've deleted them, overwritten them, and they just keep coming back.
Any ideas?!

Sasahara

Very odd.

If you have a desktop, assuming this and the laptop is SATA.

I'd take the HDD out of the laptop put it in the desktop and format the HDD from Windows on the desktop machine.

If you can't see all the partitions in windows use Gparted on the desktop.

WilliamO

Did you try Easeus HD Partition Manager? I always find it does the job.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_easeus_partition_master_home/

WilliamO

forgotmyname

Forgetting to click the save changes option?

Low level Format will erase it.

Naf

Sasahara wrote: »

Very odd.

If you have a desktop, assuming this and the laptop is SATA.

I'd take the HDD out of the laptop put it in the desktop and format the HDD from Windows on the desktop machine.

If you can't see all the partitions in windows use Gparted on the desktop.

Rather dubious of putting this virus into one of my machines...
Plus I don't have spare cables/ports anyway.

WilliamO wrote: »

Did you try Easeus HD Partition Manager? I always find it does the job.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_easeus_partition_master_home/

WilliamO

Only the pro version can create bootable CDs/USBs; and you can't delete the partition you're running from.

waddler_8

Naf wrote: »

Rather dubious of putting this virus into one of my machines...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=61955029&postcount=30

Naf

forgotmyname wrote: »

Forgetting to click the save changes option?

Low level Format will erase it.

The first time, yes. The following 6, no.
Gparted confirmed the operations had been completed. Re-scanned the disk to confirm no partitions remained. Tried to create new partition; got an error, suddenly the original two have reappeared?!

Sasahara

Naf wrote: »

Rather dubious of putting this virus into one of my machines...
Plus I don't have spare cables/ports anyway.

Doesn't sound like a virus. As shrinking a partition, creating a new one to put a copy if it's self on in an inactive partition makes no sense and particularly complicated operation for a virus to do.

The partitions are probably for the laptop install/backup options.

Viruses rarely activate themselves without some sort of user input.

Mankysteve

Some laptops come with a hidden partition with the is install on it. I know mine does then there a button sequence you have to use when booting the laptop to do.have you made sure its not that ?

arrallas

Acronis Disk Director works well and they have a free trial download, but again, you would need to connect as an external drive.

Naf

Sasahara wrote: »

Doesn't sound like a virus. As shrinking a partition, creating a new one to put a copy if it's self on in an inactive partition makes no sense and particularly complicated operation for a virus to do.

The partitions are probably for the laptop install/backup options.

Viruses rarely activate themselves without some sort of user input.

I know that a virus can't (generally) be running until the actual OS boots and starts it. But it can make a mess so that it doesn't need to be running.
But you could also be right that this isn't a result of the many infections.

Mankysteve wrote: »

Some laptops come with a hidden partition with the is install on it. I know mine does then there a button sequence you have to use when booting the laptop to do.have you made sure its not that ?

Tried that; it errors while I try to reinstall from that partition.

Currently got it into my machine and formatting the windows partition, then thorough scan of the OEM partition before trying again.