A boot sector virus is a virus that places its own codes and commands into a computer’s DOS boot sector or Master Boot Record (MBR). When a boot sector virus has infected a system, the MBR is usually corrupted and a computer’s boot sequence is changed. Since the MBR is located on the first sector of a computer’s hard disk, the virus is called a boot sector virus.
Boot sector viruses can be dangerous and prolific because they are loaded onto a computer every time one starts up. In time, they can spread to other readable disks. Booting problems and start up problems, problems with retrieving data, computer performance instability and the inability to locate hard drives are all issues that may arise due to a boot sector virus infection.
Fortunately, boot sector virus removal is easy. Using common antivirus software can remove the virus quickly and efficiently. However, it is important to find an antivirus software that is capable of removing the virus completely. Failing to do so can result in a partial removal, which can then lead to a different part of a hard drive being effected. Investing in an antivirus software can also help protect data and files during the removal process.
I would recommend that first you remove the hard drive and connect it to another computer and run a low level format. If that doesn’t help then proceed with the following.
1. Remove any important files and shut down the infected computer. You can not begin to remove the virus if it is in the RAM in your computer.
2. Get the instructions and the utility to flash your BIOS from your manufacturers website.
3. Flash your BIOS with the utility provided by the manufacturer. DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER UNTIL THE UTILITY TELLS YOU THAT YOU CAN. DOING SO BEFORE IT IS FINISHED MAY PERMANENTLY DAMAGE YOUR COMPUTER.
4. Find out which company manufactures your HDD and see if they have a utility that will do a Low-Level format. This part is important because it deletes everything from your hard drive so that no one can get it back, including the virus.
5. Run the formatting utility provided by your HDD manufacturer.
6. Reinstall your Operating System of choice however you want to.