Smitfraud.exe screwed up my hard drive

[WavesMarine]

I was going through the process discribed on here to remove smitfraud-c, I was following the steps but the smitfraud.exe program crashed mid way. The computer froze and I was forced to do a hard reboot. windows will no longer run. I get past the windows screen with the scroll bar thing, and then recieve the message "Autochk Program Not Found" and the computer restarts. This puts it into a continous loop.

I did a search and at PCHELL.com they said some of the partitions on my hard drive have been hidden. I tried to follow the instructions on that site but I dont have a floppy drive. I attempted to run it off a CD (the program is from symantec called ptedit.exe.

I now brought the HD to my office and have it in my computer here (self emplyed). I still cannot fix the issue, it appears to be normal when viewing it in windows explorer

any help?

[tashi]

Hello.

Can you tell us which version of the SmitFraudFix you used please.

[WavesMarine]

the version is
2.164

[tashi]

Ok, when did you download that, the latest version is v2.171

[WavesMarine]

I downloaded it like last week. I followed a thread on here and just followed the link for the download. The fix worked fine on my work computer (this one) but failed on my home computer. Same version.

what can I do to fix my partition issue?

[tashi]

Hello.

I haven't previously heard of problems associated with Version 2.164 (April 05, 2007)

However obviously you need assistance and a helper may be able to advise you.

To that end, please let us know your operating system, and the steps you took as much as you remember before trying to run the fix.

You had two computers with the same infection?

[WavesMarine]

I left my print out at home,,, i printed the steps off the thread (I think it was a sticky for smitfraud?) I since havent been able to find the thread. It was something like 4017 (from the URL print out on the bottom).

I ran the .exe file and saved the file to my desk top, (the report thing). I then rebooted in safe mode, and went through IE and deleted my cookies, temp internet files etc then re ran the smitfraudfix program and selected the "fix" option or whatever its called, rather than the inspect option. 2-3 minutes into it it froze with an error (no idea what the error was now). I did a hard reboot and Im stuck in the endless reboot cycle now.

If thats not enough info, Ill get the paper print out of the instructions and be more specific tomorrow.

[WavesMarine]

Yes I had smitfraud on both of my of my computers.

Both systems are win XP home ed.

[tashi]

Ok thanks.


I then rebooted in safe mode To clarify, using F8 or msconfig?

[WavesMarine]

F8 was used.

[WavesMarine]

I found the thread,,
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=4015

those are the instructions and links I followed.

[tashi]

Hello.

Please see this topic: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic89339.html

I am not sure if that pertains to your situation. For instance the version, SmitfraudFix 2.169, is different from the one you used: 2.164


<snip> I get past the windows screen with the scroll bar thing, and then recieve the message "Autochk Program Not Found" and the computer restarts. This puts it into a continous loop.
<snip> it appears to be normal when viewing it in windows explorer


The symptoms you have given, are rather consistent with the following.

Autochk Program Not Found:

http://search.microsoft.com/results.aspx?mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&q=Autochk+program+not+found

http://www.techspot.com/vb/all/windows/t-7746-autochkexe-not-found.html