Windows XP PC, can you reinstall windows from a normal disk or do you have to use included recovery program?

Question

I have a NEC branded computer running Windows Xp Home Edition and it keeps getting loads of spyware and viruses. Each time I reinstall windows from the recovery console all the viruses come straight back so I was wondering with the correct drivers at hand whether I could reinstall Windows XP Home Edition from an OEM disk and use the license that came with the computer without breeching compyright laws or whatever Microsoft have on their Windows licenses. I think there is something in NEC when you get the computers which is a security hole or problem. I know there is definitly Teknum Updater which lets in a lot of viruses but I don't know what else is hidden in NEC versions of windows. I also have Norton AntiVirus 2007 which has a built in firewall and PestPatrol as well as SpyBot and Adaware. They all find different problems, I have reloaded the computer at least 10 times and it is now really annoying.

PLEASE HELP!!!!!

can i also keep the nec revoery console partition incase anything goes wrong

Answer 1

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/windows/geek-to-live-how-to-format-your-hard-drive-and-install-windows-xp-from-scratch-157578.php
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Answer 2

I'll try not to repeat what's already been said, but yes, you can certainly re-install the operating system. Looks like you've got something firmly embedded that Norton's can't find or get at. Norton's is a great program, but doesn't get everything. Plus, it hogs so much of the system resources, lots of people wonder if it's really good enough to be worth that.

Running a recovery won't help, because the bug is still there, firmly planted. (If you download a jpeg image to your desktop, then run a recovery, the jpeg image will still be there. Same thing happens with a bug. Recovery can't get rid of it. You'd have to know which specific files are the bugs, and remove them manually.)

Like has been said, you may lose some of the customizations, like an altered version of IE. But then, most people prefer the OEM version without the changes anyway. Before you reinstall, save all your data. This includes the my documents folder, my pictures (or whatever your graphics folder is called), your webs, movies, and anything else, plus your email files and address book. You might also want to save a copy of your favorites (bookmarks). Move them all to another hard drive, or put them on a DVD or CD. That'll save a lot of headaches after you've reinstalled. Once that's done and you're sure you've saved all your personal stuff, reformat the drive. This will get rid of any corrupted files and stuff that doesn't belong there. Otherwise, you're just putting the new files on top of the old ones and the virus, bug, or whatever it is, will still be there.

If it's been awhile since you've installed Windows -or if this is the first re-install, you'll be asked to activate it, with the product key. But they won't give you a hassle unless you've done more than a couple re-installs within a short period. So no problem there.

After installing is complete, one of the first things to do is to go online and download all the updates, fixes, and patches. I had to do that recently, myself. Be prepared for up to 200 individual updates and patches to download! -There's that many of them now! Then get some of the diagnostic tools that will close your unused ports, DCOM, and UPnP, and get rid of Windows Messenger. (Windows Messenger is NOT the same thing as MSN Messenger. MSN Messenger is more like an IM. Windows Messenger is a backdoor that stays open all the time and allows hackers in behind your back!) All of those are useless to private users and leave a vulnerable "back door" open. -Just like leaving your home kitchen door unlocked all the time! The rest of the security and safety tips, you'll get from everybody else. Good luck!

Oh, and one more thing... Before you transfer all your personal files back to the new install, run a good spyware and adware program on them, just to make sure THEY don't have a hidden bug!

Answer 3

Well my friend, today spywares and viruses are so common and are not so easy to get rid of them, but let me suggest you something that really helped me.

I used to have problems similar to the ones you have, using softwares to download files from the Internet and a lot of things more, and had to reinstall Windows tons of times. I've tested all the antiviruses and anti-spywares you could imagine and the one and the only one that has worked perfectly (2 years using it) is the ZoneAlarm Security Suite. This suite is complete, it has antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall, and it blocks any file that tries to execute a process in your pc without your authorization. I suggest you to acquire this product, and I bet you'll love it. It's the best product for home users today. It's not a problem of the NEC version of Windows, It's a security issue you have there, and it doesn't matter the version you have, windows is windows and it's not secured by itself.

Hope this helps. Regards.

Answer 4

You can of course install any operating system you wish including an unbranded version of microsoft xp however what you wouldn't get then is any nec branded products however if you don't use these then this won't present a problem.

Get decent virus protection. Karspersky, mcafee or such like (paid for much better than avg in spite of what a lot of people on here will tell you - they do badly in all the virus tests).

Get a firewall - a free one of this will do well. I use zone alarm.

Get spyware protection - spybot search & destroy & ad-aware (yes both - one finds what they other doesn't).

All you need now is to apply a little common sense when browsing. If it is offering you something free to download then unless you know its genuine don't download. This is the quickest to have your pc hijacked or your sensitive information used.

Answer 5

particular its obtainable to obtain abode windows XP burn it on a disk then enter your product key. notwithstanding gazing the type you do it, its probable unlawful and you will greater effective than probable obtain some viruses interior the approach. a greater efficient determination may well be to invite a chum for their disc. thoroughly criminal in case you employ your product key. as quickly as you format your data are long previous yet no longer thoroughly. they are nonetheless there till they are overwritten various circumstances (approximately 7 circumstances to be thoroughly long previous). So no as quickly as you format your data are not lost perpetually purely confusing to get returned.