[SOLVED] Virus got to my BIOS!!??

Well, this is the first time this has ever happened to me. Here is what happened:

Last night about 9:00 PM CDT USA

1. Downloaded Plants vs Zombies trial software game installer.

2. Installed game and tried to start it; complete system lockup - nothing, zilch, nada, zip, would work.

3. Rebooted and got a BSOD stating: Warning - possible virus has infected your system.

4. Rebooted several more times, each time got the BSOD, CRAP!

5. G DATA AV Rescue disk wouldn't go past it's opening windows... kept freezing up.

6. CRAP again! (Note to self: I'm getting really upset now.)

7. Try to reinstall Windows 7, even after using an IBM DOS-based hard wipe utility on the primary hard drive the install would not begin or it would take over 10 minutes to get to the install screen.

Something is REALLY rotten in the state of Denmark now!

8. DOUBLE CRAP!! Really getting upset now... also trashed my 80GB SATA secondary drive I use for Paging File, Temp Files and System Backup Image. BIOS won't even recognize the drive.

9. Screw with it for about two hours before a sudden inspiration hit me! This could be an infected BIOS on my mobo. I see a possible solution!

10. Get out my trusty USB external floppy drive and my 3.5" discs. Go to roommate's computer and download the last BIOS issued for the mobo and write it to a floppy disc.

11. Reboot computer and go to the QFlash Utility on the Gigabyte mobo and start it, then FLASH the mobo's BIOS. Restart the computer and all is well again and the Windows 7 install went off without a hitch. My 80GB secondary hard drive is now in File 13. I could use it for a paper weight, but alas it's too heavy.

I am done ranting now. This darn thing slipped past my G DATA AV and did one fine job that's for sure. Thank goodness I can install Windows 7 in my sleep.

P.S.
My cigarette consumption went up dramatically during this period of time!

Ouch

To me that is the worst virus you can get. Lets hope no one else will ever see this one again.

Next up would be the one I got 12 years back. Memory resident boot virus that contaminates hard drives and floppies. Delete all partitions to clear the master boot record and reboot to clear memory then boot to a known good floppy. I fought this virus a month before learning all the places it was hiding.

But what did you think of Plants vs Zombies?

Wow that's the first case of a BIOS virus I've heard of. Your solution was brilliant and I'm glad you got it worked out. I'll certainly remember your 'fix'.

I like the online version; I'll refrain from any further comment about the installer version because C_C might put me on time-out in the corner.

BIOS viruses are exceptionally rare. You're more likely to win a lottery ticket twice in a row.

Do you have any information on this virus?

Hows does a bios virus get past your av programs? Is it because it acts in a different way to bugs that attack drives and files?

Well, I don't have 100% proof exactly what happened. I can't prove it was this program. I don't have 8x10 color glossy photos with circles and arrows and descriptions on the back of each photo. My ADD keeps me from being too anal about all this. Besides life is too short to investigate the nitty gritty on this.

If this is my luck then Thrax, maybe I really should start getting a Texas Lottery ticket every week. After I win the big bucks, I could then take care of a couple of issues here and get the HELL out of this crummy state and get back to the Rocky Mountains which is the REAL God's Country!!! To heck with Longhorn fans and Dallas Cowgirl fans too!

I all I know is whatever happened, happened. Re-flashing the BIOS did the trick.

Perhaps I made what would be called a "crass assumption", still not sure what would screw up a motherboard, kill a hard drive and all the other stuff I described.

IF Thrax has a suggestion, comment or whatever I would be interested in reading it.

All I know now is that the system is working again now. Just have to wait for Monday the 31st for the Labor Day Sales for a new hard drive. May get one online as Newegg is having some great deals right now if one is subscribed to their email promos.

My first inclination during times like this is to chalk it all up to a very (very) unfortunate coincidence. BIOS viruses haven't been prevalent in 10-15 years (actual number), because many PC BIOS are encrypted these days. There are also several BIOS vendors on the market, and every motherboard manufacturer tends to have a slightly different spin on the idea of the BIOS.

Diversity is the bane of malware. Conversely, it's why Windows is such an easy target: a flaw in one person's installation is likely to be a flaw in everyone's!

That said, your evidence is pretty compelling. Compelling enough to do some digging. I'll report back soon.

Thrax - Thanks for your kind, informative response regarding my issue. Above and beyond the call of duty, IMO!