wuaclclt.exe - Is it possible that this virus is infecting my BIOS or RAM?

Question

My brother returned my laptop (Acer 4732z) yesterday with the system as messy as hell. My brother said that the windows restarts every 15 minutes. (It's windows Xp service pack 2)
Everytime I start windows it goes lag and lag. I checked, and in the task manager, there's this process "wuaclclt.exe" (not the usual windows update client wuaclt.exe) consuming quite of the memory, and there's this svchost.exe that keeps consuming memory way up and up until there's no more for the other program, and the system either hangs or restarts.
if i kill this svchost.exe the memory would be freed, but the process would return again and start over consuming memory.

usually if i had a problem with virus so far i would just format it, wiping clean the system drive (Drive C: in my case) and then reinstall windows XP and other thingies, and that's it, a fresh system.

but now, my problems are these:
1. I couldn't get the laptop to read te winxp installer cd. i've set the boot order to CD-drive at the top, but the winxp setup won't load and the current system load itself as if there's no winxp setup cd there. I've tried another winxp setup cd - a freshly burnt cd - but the problem remains the same. at first i thought that this was due to the optical drive problems, but then: problem no 2
2. I have a winxp setup USB flash drive, i usually use it to reinstall windows to my netbook which has no cd drive. usually there is no problem installing it, just plug in the usb drive and there would be 3 numbered options after booting, in which option number 1 is the first step to install it. but now after the booting the option number 1 is MISSING! and option 2 and 3 is still there...

my questions are
1. is the virus infecting my RAM or BIOS?
2. how can i format the C: drive?
3. do you have any idea what kind of virus is this?

Answer 1

Ive never heard of anything blocking you from booting from a disc.

I would check that by using another disc, either a linux boot cd, or better still an anti virus rescue disc



http://www.techmixer.com/kaspersky-rescue-disk-2010/



But first try this very quick tool. Its possible you may have the TDSS rootkit, running the tool takes seconds, and if it finds anything it will save you hours of wasted time http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684



If it finds anything post back

If both fail I would seek help from a professional forum http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/



Does the laptop have any security programs on it

Answer 2

Well it Will Effect your RAM As it Runs In RAM.



But it Wont Damage any Hardware Including RAM.



It may be A New Threat .. Cant locate it on google.



What I'd Suggest, Burn Dban to a CD/USB, Insert & Boot From CD/USB..

Type Autonuke and hit enter.

Dban CD -> http://download.cnet.com/Darik-s-Boot-and-Nuke-for-CD-and-DVD/3000-2094_4-10151762.html

Dban USB -> http://download.cnet.com/Darik-s-Boot-and-Nuke-for-floppy-disks-and-USB/3000-2094_4-10911312.html



This will Eradicate the HD Data And Any Issues. Unplug USB's Ect Before autonuking!

Hopefully You Can Get It to Boot.



Hope it helps :)

Answer 3

found this info on google!!



PC Pitstop Analysis

Win Patrol



wuauclt.exe - wuauclt.exe is part of Microsoft Windows Update. This process will be running if Windows is currently downloading an update, and will appear as a tray icon to inform you that new updates are ready to install.



wuauclt.exe is required by third-party software or hardware and should not disabled.

Answer 4

Nope!! till at last now no virus has been got here upon that may harm your hardware in any way. Yah one ingredient can happen that a deadly disease on your computing device is taking countless ram and it is the reason your computing device is getting sluggish.

Answer 5

just do a full scan with super anti spyware free from cnet.com