How do i format my hard drive?

[hattster]

I've got a spyware virus or something on my system, ive tried to remove it using adaware and spyware S+D but to no avail. Its something about System32 I've also tried to run anti-virus but this is not picking it up either. I feel like my only option is to format, however, when i've formatted a hard drive before i've done it throuh a recovery disc using the A:/ drive. My pc doesn't have an A:/ drive so i am not too sure as to what i should do to start the format. I'm running Windows XP at the moment, any help or info would be appreciated, cheers.

[stevie21]

have you tried to fix the original problem with "HijackThis" ?

[spaced]

look in your pc manual and it will explain the procedures around both Non-Destructive reformatting and destructive formatting of the hard drive. Let me know and I will explain the difference

[hattster]

Hi, I've not had chance to look into anything yet as i am at work (shh....boss maybe listening). i don't have a manual with the pc so don't really know the difference with destructive/no destructive formatting. With regards to "hijackthis" is it a free program or something i need to purchase?? Thanks for your replies, much appreciated.

[rojash]

When you start your computer, hit the appropriate keys to go into the CMOS setup (BIOS settings). Change the boot options to boot from CD. Put the Won XP CD in and reboot.
Follow the instructions on screen.

However, you might be better off posting an accurate description of the symptoms of your problem, so that it may be solved without the need to reformat. I have been working with computers since 1979 and have never yet seen a v irus that required a reformat to remove it (though some can be difficult).

[spaced]

i had a spyware virus on my machine, thanks to Norton, tried everything in the end I had to do an XP destructive re-install. Worked a treat. Now have AVG Antivrus and Ad-aware. No probs!

[hattster]

ok, The symptoms are as follows:

When i turn on my pc windows alerts me every second that my pc is infected with spyware, when i close the dialogue box it immediately appears again! The pc is extreMely slow and the actual screen goes "WAVY" like it appears to be underwater (sounds daft but its true). When i log onto the internet the homepage defaults to something with system32 in the name, i cant get rid of this because it just comes back again. My macaffee anti virus "update" box keeps popping up as does my "dial up" to the internet box, i'm on adsl though. hope there is enough info!!

[stevie21]

Download and install Microsoft's AntiSpyware program. Aside from deleting spyware, it also closes some security holes in your PC.

This alone will fix a lot of basic problems people have although it's not a foolproof way of solving everything. Once you've installed and scanned with this (keep scanning until you either don't find any nasties or continually find exactly the same nasties despite removing them) either post back here with your status or go straight to the "hijackthis" solution below.

If you still have problems at this point, I'd download the free prog HijackThis and scan with that. This will give you a text file with lots of technical info : you can post this output to a more technical forum where someone will tell you how to fix any remaining problems.

It sounds like at least one of the problems that you have is with a nasty program which is trying to use your phone line to dial a premium rate phone number : just as well you have broadband or your phone bill might be �900.

[peanut]

have you tried a simple system restore? I've had this problem before and system restore did nothing to help. One way to get rid of that virus for sure is to zero fill your hard drive. you will lose ALL data on the drive including the virus. This is a very serious procedure and extreme caution must be used. But if all else fails it is one sure way to fix it.