Flash Deive in BIOS

Blake's7 · 07-01-2009, 08:51 PM

Hi! I've been trying to reinstall XP, but the computer locks up after the screen saying it's examining your devices. The only change that has been made to this computer since the last time i reinstalled, is that I've used a USB flash drive to copy pictures from a computer with a bad cd drive to my computer to save them. I used the flash drive 7 times. Since there is nothing wrong with my hardware, I've checked cables, etc, I'm wondering if the flash drive made a change to a BIOS setting. If it did, where would I look for this in the BIOS? I can't think of any other reason for the install to lock up, and the BIOS settings are the same as when I bought the computer, except to change the boot options to boot to cd drive first. Any and all responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

**manic** · 07-01-2009, 09:31 PM

Is the flash drive connected when trying to install windows? If so
disconnect it. Look in bios and make sure the boot order has not
changed. Why are you reinstalling windows, virus?

Blake's7 · 07-01-2009, 10:41 PM

Thanks for the response. The boot order hasn't changed in BIOS, and the flash drive has been safely removed before I try to install. I did find a virus, or trojan, and it's supposedly been removed, but the computer doesn't seem right, and some icons have been moved on the desktop, so I figure the best way to be sure is to reinstall. Thanks.

**manic** · 07-01-2009, 10:46 PM

If you want to truly wipe the drive you need to use killdisk.
Free download do a google for it..You can create a bootable iso, or
a floppy. When formatting with windows it does not erase the drive
totally, it will leave virus's intact..So you must use a 3rd party software
in order to clean the drive.....

Blake's7 · 07-02-2009, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the response. I don't want to format the whole disk, as I'm afraid that the install problem will remain, and I'll be left with a blank drive and no way to use the computer.

07-01-2009, 08:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blake's7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 62 OS: xp pro	Flash Deive in BIOS Hi! I've been trying to reinstall XP, but the computer locks up after the screen saying it's examining your devices. The only change that has been made to this computer since the last time i reinstalled, is that I've used a USB flash drive to copy pictures from a computer with a bad cd drive to my computer to save them. I used the flash drive 7 times. Since there is nothing wrong with my hardware, I've checked cables, etc, I'm wondering if the flash drive made a change to a BIOS setting. If it did, where would I look for this in the BIOS? I can't think of any other reason for the install to lock up, and the BIOS settings are the same as when I bought the computer, except to change the boot options to boot to cd drive first. Any and all responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

07-01-2009, 09:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,237 OS: xp	Re: Flash Deive in BIOS Is the flash drive connected when trying to install windows? If so disconnect it. Look in bios and make sure the boot order has not changed. Why are you reinstalling windows, virus? __________________

07-01-2009, 10:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Blake's7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 62 OS: xp pro	Re: Flash Deive in BIOS Thanks for the response. The boot order hasn't changed in BIOS, and the flash drive has been safely removed before I try to install. I did find a virus, or trojan, and it's supposedly been removed, but the computer doesn't seem right, and some icons have been moved on the desktop, so I figure the best way to be sure is to reinstall. Thanks.

07-01-2009, 10:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,237 OS: xp	Re: Flash Deive in BIOS If you want to truly wipe the drive you need to use killdisk. Free download do a google for it..You can create a bootable iso, or a floppy. When formatting with windows it does not erase the drive totally, it will leave virus's intact..So you must use a 3rd party software in order to clean the drive..... __________________

07-02-2009, 09:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
Blake's7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 62 OS: xp pro	Re: Flash Deive in BIOS Thanks for the response. I don't want to format the whole disk, as I'm afraid that the install problem will remain, and I'll be left with a blank drive and no way to use the computer.