AbsoluteZzZero

I haven't had any anti-virus software on my comp for the last year or so. Now that the viruses have taken over and majorly messed my comp up, I regret it.

I want to reformat my comp(its that messed up), but i dont have the windows install cd anymore. So I was wondering if its possible to reformat my comp(or something similar to it) without deleting windows?

Zer0s

No...............

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subdismal

Quote: Originally Posted by Zer0s No...............

Sadly, Zer0s is right.

The viruses don't just take over nothing; more-than-likely, they've corrupted and infected crucial Windows files, but you didn't state what the symptoms of your infection are.

What I'd reccomend is you get some anti-virus software now. You would probably be able to clean most of your system, as long as you can still access programs and such.

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nev_payne

errrmm..hmmmm....pffff.....

OK thinking over.

I would go along the lines of this:

1. Go into safe mode (before windows boot screen keep fitting f8 untill you get the safe mode menu). Log in as your username, not administrator.
2. Install AVG antivirus, and scan and delete.
3. Go into all temporary files and delte everything there (if its xp then it would be c:\temp, c:\windows\temp, and C:\Documents and Settings\***USERNAME***\Local Settings\Temp.
4. Delete all tmeprary interent files, cookies, and history.
5. When AVG is completed, run it again.
6. When completed restart and see how that helps.
7. If problems are persisting install Spybot S+D, update it, then launch the search and destry option. You can also do this in safe mode if normal is stil not right.
8. When finished, tell it to delete everything its found.
9. Scandisk or use Norton Diskdoctor (or other hard drive sector scanning program) to check on the hard drive stability and if there are any bad sectors.
10. Install a regestry cleaner aswell and make sure the regestry is clean and dandy. There are several good ones, I personally use WinASO.
11. Restart computer.
12. At this point your at a half way house. You system should be "clean" enough to back up the files you need just in case, and then go into add/remove programs in the control panel and remove everything you dont like from there.

That should have you sorted. See how things go form there and if problems persist, well, theres very little you can do...apart form keep some sort of anti-virus on your system, and a firewall. (AVG and ZoneAlarm should be your first points of call).

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subdismal

Sweet walkthrough, Nev. I honestly thought about posting something in-depth, but it wouldn't have turned out that good even still.

Absolute, Nev will put you on the right path, so give that a try and let us know if it has helped.

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AbsoluteZzZero

well, it all started with that AIM trojan(there was a thread about it in general dis.). Yes, I was actin REALLY noobish and clicked it......NEVER AGAIN WILL I CLICK LINKS......o well. It would send the same thing out to all the people in my BL every so often, so I started using Trillian. Until about a week ago my internet connection went out the window. So I decided it was time to install norton, I install it, restart windows, it must have a second install/config window after you restart windows and it wont work. I click next but it doesnt do anything........

Ive run adaware but that didnt help. I defragmented my HD, that didnt help. I tried system restore, that didnt work. SO other than reformating I dont know what to do. But I have the windows CD anymore....UGH

Ill try what nev said later today.....

Wellmont

Quote: Yes, I was actin REALLY noobish and clicked it......NEVER AGAIN WILL I CLICK LINKS......o well. It would send the same thing out to all the people in my BL every so often, so I started using Trillian. Until about a week ago my internet connection went out the window.

Well instead of browsing threads with trojans embeded, or switching to Trillian, learn about your trojan and get some good anti-viral software. You can go about cleaning up the trojan manually, or your entire computer for that matter but judging by the fact that you think not clicking links will keep you virus free you better invest in a full featured protection software. Or at the very least scam a copy of your favorite version of windows.

As much as people knock around the anti-virus software makers for not being efficient enough, your simple every day virust program (even past versions of the programs if up-to-date) can protect you against the most common threats.

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CubanConnectionZ

Good one Nev.

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AbsoluteZzZero

Quote: Originally Posted by Wellmont Well instead of browsing threads with trojans embeded, or switching to Trillian, learn about your trojan and get some good anti-viral software. You can go about cleaning up the trojan manually, or your entire computer for that matter but judging by the fact that you think not clicking links will keep you virus free you better invest in a full featured protection software. Or at the very least scam a copy of your favorite version of windows. As much as people knock around the anti-virus software makers for not being efficient enough, your simple every day virust program (even past versions of the programs if up-to-date) can protect you against the most common threats.

I plan on doin that. I was just sayin that i will NEVER click another link i dont know about.......

aaronrkelly

Quote: Originally Posted by AbsoluteZzZero I plan on doin that. I was just sayin that i will NEVER click another link i dont know about.......

You cannot reformat without deleting Windows - you "may" be able to repair your PC for the most part but it will be a hard long struggle and will require quiet a bit of knowledge. Even then the result will be far less than optimal. Your best bet is to find an installation CD.

Do you have the license code to reinstall Windows??? If you atleast have this I could help you out.....the CD itself is not that hard to come up with.

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z0mbi3

On another note if you have a Compaq or dell or whatever supplier built rig that came with windows preinstalled you may have a recovery partition with windows setup on it.

This was the case on my gf's dads comp. The amount of cack that was on there was rediculous, and the annoying thing was that I sorted it all for him, firewalled, antivirus'd anti-spyware'd him up and a week later had all the same sort of **** back on it.

Some people just aren't meant to have computers in my humblest of opinions.

Damn needed to get that rant out my sytem.

But yeah check if you got something like what I described, would solve your horrible lack of disk issue!

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AbsoluteZzZero

Quote: Originally Posted by z0mbi3 On another note if you have a Compaq or dell or whatever supplier built rig that came with windows preinstalled you may have a recovery partition with windows setup on it. This was the case on my gf's dads comp. The amount of cack that was on there was rediculous, and the annoying thing was that I sorted it all for him, firewalled, antivirus'd anti-spyware'd him up and a week later had all the same sort of **** back on it. Some people just aren't meant to have computers in my humblest of opinions. Damn needed to get that rant out my sytem. But yeah check if you got something like what I described, would solve your horrible lack of disk issue!

Its a custom built rig......Im enough of a geek to build my own computer, but I clicked on an unknown link. Go figure ......But, I have learned my lesson

nev_payne

So...any update?Have you managed to get the beastie under control?

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hondatuner

Once you get everything cleaned up and fixed. Don't run your rig with out an up to date anti-virus software.

z0mbi3

Quote: Originally Posted by AbsoluteZzZero Its a custom built rig......Im enough of a geek to build my own computer, but I clicked on an unknown link. Go figure ......But, I have learned my lesson

Ah well worth a try

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