I think i've narrowed my problem down to the Axel Davis Viru

Unfortunately, I couldnt use HJ on the PC i'm having problems with. Here's why:

I have the Gateway 3250S desktop PC running Windows XP Home Edition. So far, I've attempted to use the Gateway Recovery option at boot (F11), but during the last 5% of the recovery, there are a lot of windows files that are either corrupt, missing or cannot be moved. When the recovery process is completed, I am able to get to the XP Splash screen, and it freezes up. In safe mode with networking, I am able to see that there are a looooooot of files missing (Internet Explorer, for example, along with the Disk Defragment and other maintenance programs within XP). I was able to fix Internet Explorer by putting installing it from the ie.inf file and files i downloaded onto another PC. After running a chkdsk, the problem of freezing at the XP Splash screen. And now, I cant even get into safe mode, as it automatically reboots.

So i tried running the system recovery again, and I took notice of the files that that couldnt be moved or were corrupt. Among them I noticed AXEL.DAV. I've read about this virus on the net, and I've come to find out that this is a REALLY destructive piece of code. It looks like it's infected the recovery partition on a broad scale to FUBAR a lot of the required files to successfully launch the recovery.

Here is my question:

Can I remove the virus using a Anti-Virus rescue disk at boot up, in the hopes of being able to use the recovery partition to restore the system? Is there even a way to remove the malicious files from the recovery partition?

My last resort... LAST LAST LAST resort, is to use an xp pro disk to format everything and start from scratch, especially since I cant get a Gateway System Restore disk from Gateway.

Thank you in advance.

Please download the current version of HijackThis from HERE

• Double click and run the installer.
  
• It will install to C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\hijackthis.exe
  
• After installing, you should get the user agreement, press accept and Hijack This will run.
  
• Select Do a system scan and save a log file. This will open a notepad file of everything Hijack This found, copy and paste it back here.
  

How do I install hijack this on a machine that won't boot up?

Hello you are going to have to do this in another computer if you can boot in the infected one:

Please download this file: Avira Rescue Disc

1. Insert a black CD into your CD draw.
   
2. Double click the rescuecd.exe file on your Desktop.
   
3. Hit the "Burn CD" button and allow it to burn, it shouldn't take too long.
   
4. Next, reboot your computer, keep the CD inside the draw.
   
5. Your computer should boot from the CD and boot to the Avira rescue disc.
   
6. Next, see this guide here: How to use the boot disc
   

^^^ I just completed this process, and did the same thing with bitdefender. No viruses found.

I tried the recovery partition, and still a bunch of axel.dav files are causing errors.

Are you able to boot in safe mode?

^^^^ nope. Cant do that anymore either.

If you can't boot in safe mode or normal mode at all I suggest formatting the computer, it would be the best thing to do.

^^ Thanks. I did that this morning, and I used some of the tools and suggestions that you gave in another thread to protect the PC.

I'll give you some recommendations:

Below I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer in order to prevent future malware infections. Please take these recommendations seriously; these few simple steps can stave off the vast majority of spyware problems. As happy as we are to help you, for your sake we would rather not have repeat customers.

1) Please navigate to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and download all the "critical updates" for Windows. This can patch many of the security holes through which attackers can gain access to your computer.

Please either enable Automatic Updates under Start -> Control Panel -> Automatic Updates , or get into the habit of checking for Windows updates regularly. I cannot stress enough how important this is.

2) In order to protect yourself against spyware, you should consider installing and running the following free programs:

Ad-Aware SE
A tutorial on using Ad-Aware to remove spyware from your computer may be found here.

Spybot-Search & Destroy
A tutorial on using Spybot to remove spyware from your computer may be found here. Please also remember to enable Spybot's "Immunize" and "TeaTimer" features.

SpywareBlaster
A tutorial on using SpywareBlaster to prevent spyware from ever installing on your computer may be found here.

SpywareGuard
A tutorial on using SpywareGuard for realtime protection against spyware and hijackers may be found here.

Make sure to keep these programs up-to-date and to run them regularly, as this can prevent a great deal of spyware hassle.

3) Please consider using an alternate browser. Mozilla's Firefox browser is fantastic; it is much more secure than Internet Explorer, immune to almost all known browser hijackers, and also has the best built-in popup blocker (as an added benefit!) that I have ever seen. If you are interested, Firefox may be downloaded from here:
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
I also recommand the following add-ons for Firefox, they will help keep you safe from malicious scripts or activeX exploits.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/433

4) Also make sure to run your antivirus software regularly, and to keep it up-to-date.

To help you keep your software updated, please considering using this free software program that will check for program updates.
Update Checker

5) Finally, consider maintaining a firewall. Some good free firewalls are Kerio, or
Outpost
A tutorial on understanding and using firewalls may be found here.

Please also read Tony Klein's excellent article: How I got Infected in the First Place

If you would take a moment to fill out our feedback form, we would appreciate it.
The link can be found here.

Hopefully this should take care of your problems! Good luck.

^^^ yeah i saw this information in another post and followed suit. Thanks.