virus been told to reformat but dont know how

[allisuzy1]

Phoned a guy today with problem on computer with virus and said only way to get rid of it is to reformat it.
I don't have any discs as computer was given to me, however my mum has hers from when she got her new one. Both are xp. How do i reformat mine using her discs?

[Brooksy]

Formatting will lose you all your data/settings programs etc. It is a very drastic step & seems rather extreme to get rid of a virus, although there are 1 or 2 that may require this step. Did he say which one it was? Are you running XP? Have you any anti-virus software/firewall installed? Have you been backing up any files you didn`t want to lose?

[allisuzy1]

I am running xp but continuously pops up with windows. It shows something about trojan horse but not sure which. I can't remove or delete anything as it pops up another message.

[allisuzy1]

Sorry forgot to say got avg free running

[rojash]

Who is "a guy"?

I have never ever encountered a virus that required you to reformat the machine. I would suggest that you post a few more details and get some advice from people who actually know hat they are talking about.

[ACtheTROLL]

I tend to ring "a bloke" - he is probably slightly better than "a guy"

but between them their IQs probably still only get to 3!

If you have pop ups .... popping up .... it sounds like malware not a virus (I know!!)

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

AND

http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free .php

also

http://www.download.com/Bazooka-Adware-and-Spy ware-Scanner/3000-8022_4-10247782.html

and run them in that order

then get avira

http://www.free-av.com/

uninstall AVG and use this instead .... scan for malware once or twice a week as well as your usual virus precautions

[allisuzy1]

It's not pop ups as such it is balloons and error slips accross centre of screen. All to do with windows be it picture error or shortcuts not opening. Did scan with avg and it found 58 problems and 237 traces which it moved to quarantine but the error boxes just keep coming up.

[ACtheTROLL]

same difference

get rid of avg (if it was any good it would have cured the problem)

download the progs
follow the steps in the order I listed them

[vehelpfulguy]

People who work for computer support groups who are very lazy or cant be bothered often suggest a reformat or re-install of Windows to cure a problem.

This is usually a TERRIBLE suggestion and is usually given when they dont really know what the problem is or are too lazy to help you.

I all my years of working in computers I have rarely come across a problem that required a reformat and reinstall of Windows.

If someone suggests something like this in future then ignore them.

[Brooksy]

If you did reformat, you would be stuck without an operating system. Your Mum`s XP disc is licensed for her use on her PC & you would not be able to activate as Microsoft would count too many hardware change "points" against you, so you wou;d have to buy your own XP or Vista - not cheap.

[dazgearing]

Sorry it's me Allisuzy

Done everything you suggested but it just keeps freezing when I try to fix problems.
Most of them seem to be something to do with Windows32????????
I can't believe I have now managed to find the faults but cant fix/ remove them. What else can I try??
At a loss now and getting so fed up with it. LOL
HELP

[ACtheTROLL]

If you've tried the virus and malware scanners without success - and you are running out of knowledge - (despite agreeing with VHG in principle) I think the time that VHG hates is here --- time to crash and burn.
either that or accept you've had it ..... throw it away .... buy a new one!!! ;-(

alternatively .......

download magical jelly bean - v1.51 is fine
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtm l

or version 2 (beta) allows you to change serials
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/beta/

using either one on your machine get YOUR XP serial number

Providing that your mum's version is exactly the same
install using her CD .... but enter your serial and activate.

if your mum's discs are restore - use them (don't connect to internet) - use version 2 to change the existing serial to yours - THEN activate it .

Personally I rebuild my machines every 12-18 months
(but that's my choice).
support guys generally work to a 20 minute rule .... if you can't see the light after that time it's generally more economical to use the rest of the time rebuilding.

most of the big guys charge �90 an hour ... while no one likes to be beaten .... it's worse to spend �180 on a machine that's 4 years old