Oh Poo...

[Fnaar]

Bonjour tout le monde
I have been "off forum" for a bit, owing my nippers acidentally totalling the PC with a virus called AV360 (it purports to be anti-virus software, but is in fact a virus).
Totally bu99ers things up too... currently (at home, I'm doing this from work) have no internet connection (solvable) but operating system (Windows XP) is slow, unstable and basically cacked-up like a good'un
Have tried every remedy known to man, including software like SpyBot, and a remedy from Microsoft which involves tinkering with your registry values (oo'er). Now I'm confident enough to do that (follow the instructions, that is), but I did it and it didn't work... seemingly because the virus has changed some registry values anyway...
I've also tried a system restore from both safe mode and 'ordinary' mode... I can choose earlier dates when the system was stable, but it won't actually gather the information needed to restore... it says it's going to, then when you allow it to do so, it just makes a single click and sites there pathetically...
I've taken some advice from folk who know about these things, and the advice is to wipe everything (I can take off music, pics etc, that's not an issue) and start again. My REAL question is where to get a reliable, trustworthy copy of Windows XP, as it came pre-loaded on my system, without discs.
I've looked on ebay, and can get it for about 30-40 squid, just really wanting recommendations/experiences.
Cheers

(In order to pre-empt all the "get a Mac" answers, yeah, yeah, I know, but I'm not going to

 

[oxbob]

If it was preloaded with xp, did you not burn some recovery discs when you 1st got it?

 

[grhm]

If it was preloaded with XP, you may still be able to get disks from the suppplier.

Some manufacturers decided to save money by not including rescue/restore CD's (or XP CD's) - and then suppliy them as a optional extra (for a small fee).

Saves them a few pennies per PC and causes us per sods stuck with the PC's and no disks no end of grief

 

[Fnaar]

If it was preloaded with xp, did you not burn some recovery discs when you 1st got it?

 

[Fnaar]

If it was preloaded with XP, you may still be able to get disks from the suppplier.

Some manufacturers decided to save money by not including rescue/restore CD's (or XP CD's) - and then suppliy them as a optional extra (for a small fee).

Saves them a few pennies per PC and causes us per sods stuck with the PC's and no disks no end of grief

I'll have a try...

 

[bikepete]

Some PC makers put the OS install files on a hidden partition on the hard disk - you may have to call up their software in Windows and burn recovery CDs from that, or you can possibly get to a recovery console by pressing particular key(s) during boot-up - there should be a message re this in the boot sequence.

 

[Fnaar]

Some PC makers put the OS install files on a hidden partition on the hard disk - you may have to call up their software in Windows and burn recovery CDs from that, or you can possibly get to a recovery console by pressing particular key(s) during boot-up - there should be a message re this in the boot sequence.

I'll give that a bash too. thanks for the tip

 

[Desert Orchid]

got rid of it on a pc the other week using malwarebytes

 

[Desert Orchid]

or sometimes the partition is not hidden but is shown on my computer, by using software like norton ghost you can place the image back on the hard drive

 

[Shaun]

got rid of it on a pc the other week using malwarebytes

+1 for Malwarebytes

However, there is one caveat; when you uninstall the software, make sure you delete the quarantined items first - if you don't, they all end up back on your PC!!!!

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[JamesAC]

Install linux.

bye-bye viruses

I just did that last week. Although I didn't have a crashed Windows system, I was getting fed up with adware and spyware and stuff that was creeping past MacAfee. So, I installed Debian linux on a second HD I'd previously fitted. Now I have a dual boot system. I use linux most of the time for web-based activities.

 

[Fnaar]

Thanks for all your replies folks... currently internet-less, and PC has serious "issues"... was going to buy copy of Windows XP, re-install etc, but have decided to 're-cycle' bits of PC, and get a new one; while I'm at it, going to take opportunity to move broadband provider etc etc... clean sweep, new kit, happy me, happy Mrs F,

 

[Fnaar]

Me again folks... requesting your help
Right, i have (reputable) windows XP disks, and am going to try a format/reload. Once I've got my docs/pics the kids' music off, how do I reformat the hard disk? It has 2 drives (probably partiotioned, but I'm not sure) as follows. A C drive where all the programmes are installed. Don't care what gets lost here, EXCEPT will a format erase (e.g.) drivers for DVD drive, mouse, keyboard etc? Any ideas how to get round this? Is it best to format the D drive too (where all the documents get stored). Both drives have oodles of space.
I'm reasonably savvy computer-wise, but step-by-steps would really be helpful. I'll owe you a pint, or go riding with you if you ever visit Northumberland

 

[oxbob]

Hope this link helps Fnaar http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/installxp/installXP1.htm

 

[Fnaar]

thanks oxbob... going to try it when I get a mo in the next few days