reformatt hard drive

[sledge]

I need help. I got a computer virus about a month ago , it has hooked itself to the system restore and I can't even back up......... Any Idea's ?????? I would like to take it back to nothing and start again .

[toypusher]

Before you try anything else, try downloading the 'Rootkit' detection from AVG. Also, download AVG Free version. Ater installing them, reboot in 'SAFE' mode and run both.

In case you don't know how to boot in SAFE mode, just hit the F8 key while it is booting. Systems boot so fast nowadays, you may just want to hit is a few times until you get some boot options.

[sledge]

Thanks Toypusher , I'm gonna try it.... I'll let you know how it goes. thanks again.

[sledge]

I downloaded it , Installed it , And Run it.........but it says there is no problem,...... but I know there is because I can't do anything for this screen jumping up saying your computer is infected and if I download this Win-Antivirus thing it will fix it....... I have thought about just replacing the hard drive . But if I go to say wal-mart or somewhere like that, the hard drive don't have an O/S on them. and I don't have a DVD with XP on it. so, at that price I could just buy a new computer.

[Mike C.]

Hey sledge,

Are you sure the computers you buy at Wally World don't have an operating system preloaded? I thought they all came with Vista home version. I guess that really is like no operating system.

I was in there about a week ago and looked at some computers they had on sale in the middle of an aisle and I could have sworn they said Vista.

[MSG Hall]

If you have a window popping up, it isn’t a virus. That would be a worm. Microsoft has the fix for most worms. Make sure all of you windows updates are downloaded and email the help desk for Microsoft, they will send you the patch to get rid of this and to keep it from coming back.

I also recommend you download adaware, it’s a free spyware remover. If you haven’t done that, I bet you are loaded full…

Hope this helps

[Micro469]

I've run into those dam popups too. They don't go away unless you buy their program.... or screw around with the registry, or get a really good adaware program. Sometimes, if you can find the website you can email them, and ask them for the method of removal. That's worked for me a few times. Usually they have a "contact us" spot near the bottom.....

[toypusher]

I downloaded it , Installed it , And Run it.........but it says there is no problem,...... but I know there is because I can't do anything for this screen jumping up saying your computer is infected and if I download this Win-Antivirus thing it will fix it....... I have thought about just replacing the hard drive . But if I go to say wal-mart or somewhere like that, the hard drive don't have an O/S on them. and I don't have a DVD with XP on it. so, at that price I could just buy a new computer.

Did you boot up in "SAFE" Mode??

Download the AVG Anti-Spyware program and run it!!

[jdarkoregon]

How about Spyware? Have you done any spyware/adware removal tool yet? If not, there are a couple free ones available on the net,

Try

1. AdAware Personal SE available at www.lavasoftusa.com
2. Spybot Search and Destroy, You'll have to do a search for it.

Often times those pop-ups are a result of being infected with some spyware program,

they are quite the hassle


John

[sledge]

ok let me see if I can answer you folks, Yes Mike C. the wal-mart computers have XP/Vista on them, but the hard drives don't ave anything on them....and Toypusher yeah I booted in safe mode. and then went through everything I could find..... same ol' .... I asked a guy today at a computer store, he said if I had a Recovery Console , and ( I Do ) just run it.....and it will reformatt the hard drive. only thing was I would losse everything, but thats ok.........if I can just get this off here....I can put everything back...... so, wish me luck, thank you all for your help, I'm lucky to know you folks. I'm off to try this. ......L8r

[SouthernGirl]

Try this site: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

I have used it and it seems to pick up stuff nothing else will.

[bve]

If you _really_ want to fix it...

try this http://www.ubuntu.com/

Cost is free, support is excellent, quality is top notch.

It comes with a bit of a learning curve, however it is worth it in the end.

[Chaotica]

Hey sledge,

Are you sure the computers you buy at Wally World don't have an operating system preloaded? I thought they all came with Vista home version. I guess that really is like no operating system.

I was in there about a week ago and looked at some computers they had on sale in the middle of an aisle and I could have sworn they said Vista.

I think sledge was refering to just replacing his hard drive, not the whole computer. New HD's don't come with an OS.

Sledge, try this, it should work.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

[tomsglr]

Here is a link to instructions and tools for removing WinAntivirus and other useful programs for problems.

http://www.pchell.com/support/smitfraud.shtml

Tom

[sledge]

Thanks to everybody who tryed to help me .......... In the end I found out how to dump everything and start from scratch.............. But......it works like new now. thanks again for all your help.