virus on computer xp, OS. I do not have the original disc. Can I simply use a new xp OS CD and reinstall?

Question

I also have two hard drives. C and D on this computer. If I can not simply reinstall a new XP system how do I reformat without a disc?

Answer 1

Its not worth paying all the money to wipe out a virus unless it faital. I will put the list of sources to AVG, Spybot, Adaware and Windows live one care =)

Whatever you do doing "system restore" could possibly damage your computer even more I had Doom3 installed before I had an error (dunno what it was), used system restore and the problem went away, however Doom3 was not on my computer so I installed it and it failed. My uncle told me system restore is for system changes you have made that had made your computer not function properly than usual. Heres a step by step you could follow:

1) Full scan using your anti-virus software

2) If you still have your Internet connection functional goto the link to Live onecare and do a full scan. This will find Viruses, Spyware, Invalid Registry items, Defrag your harddrive and perform disk clean up (very useful program but takes a long time to finish)

3) Once you have downloaded the anti-spyware, anti virus and a firewall then burn it onto a disk so if you do format your computer and back to sqare 1 you can quickly download them without risking another virus

4) If you have a firewall installed block the program that had caused this virus and remove it immediatly if you dont have a firewall install Zone Alarm

5) If the virus is too faital, Have a good look for your OS CD before you buy a new one, it could turn up somewhere eventualy. Make sure you do those correctly (apart from step 5) or else you will just loose your files and folders when you could just scan it and remove it and your computer would be fixed.

Answer 2

You can't reformat without a disc or floppy disc. You've got to have both of them to reformat. They have to be a XP OS Install CD and Windows 98 boot disc which is for the floppy drive. First put in the cd, put in the floppy, turn off ur computer, cut it back on. So on there is alot to explain and I dont have much time at the moment so for more information contact me at [e-mail]

Or another good option would be downloading Panda Antivirus 2007 it is a very good program and should take the virus away! You can get it at www.downloads.com
Also there is other programs on that site that can be very useful to make you computer have way better performace. They are...
Spyware Doctor- Which is for spyware and adware and some other infections.
JV16 Power Tools- Its a registry cleaner and much more.

Answer 3

If you donot have the OSdisc you do not go for fomating. I suggest that, better, you adopt a system restore operation. It is safe and the problems can be rectified. You have to carefully select the date of restore. Ensure that the PC was functioning normally on the selected date for restoration. If you want to know an effective procedure for system restore please visit the following site.
http://tinyurl.com/ylr2cl
After successfull repairs
Delete all temp internet files includuing off line content, delete all temp files . Go to add/remove progras and delete all programs that are not required. (These can be done in many ways including disc clean up option) Then defrg the PC.
If you are successful then, select a standard antivirus and an anti spyware and install in your PC so that the problem does not occur again.There are a number of antivirus and anti spyware in the market. Some are free some are to be purchased. Please visit the following site and select a suitable free antivirus.
http://tinyurl.com/ymctqq
You can visit the following site , if you want a more effective antivirus . You have to pay for it!
http://tinyurl.com/ykzjyp
You also try to select and install a suitable spyware from the following link to protect the Pc against spyware attacks.
http://tinyurl.com/ygvyzh
After succesful installation of the protective wares create a system restore point.

Answer 4

I didnt read it all, but let me say this. Get Windows XP Pro CD, and in the installation, remove and format all partitions until you have all in unpartioned space. Install XP in that space, and make sure your PC, inside, is very clean, try using a blower. If you have files, try taking the HDD to another PC, boot from the other drive and take them out. Then format.

Answer 5

http://free.grisoft.com
Try downloading updating and doing a full system scan with both the free anti-virus and free anti-spyware from this site first ... you may not have to do a re-install
Good Luck

Another option might be to do a system restore to a time before you got the virus???

Answer 6

you don't need to reformat the drives use an antivitus program and that should take care of the problem
I use AVG free found at downloads.com I also hear that Avast is good.

Answer 7

Yes, if you want to lose everything. I recommend going to trend micro house call. I haven't gotten a virus yet, that it could not clean. Good luck.

Answer 8

-run system file checker
(any XP disk would do)
-run a repair install