I have a laptop from 2003 that has viruses, is it worth is to get it cleaned out or should i just buy new one?

Answer 1

Download and run these things....all Free

Anti-Virus:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Anti Spyware:

http://www.safer-networking.org/

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

General Cleaners/Registry Cleaners

http://www.listsoft.com/programs/2942/

That's regcleaner.exe by Juoni Vuorio,,,"oldie but goodie".
Run it,,look at TOOLS menu>Registry Cleanup>Do them all.

Delete everything that finds
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Here's another good one---
It's Shareware,,expires after a couple weeks.

Once it expires,,,Program Remains Fully Functional.
But it adds a Time Delay---so you have to wait several minutes After you Click it to be able to run it.

http://www.tune-up.com/

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It's VERY IMPORTANT to keep all Security Software Frequently Updated.
At LEAST every couple weeks your anti-virus,anti-spyware etc should be checked for Updates

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I suggest making a Folder on your Desktop,,,
label it "Clean-Up" or "Security",,or whatever.

1)Download all your Security stuff to that Folder.

2)If You are using Windows XP>>DISABLE SYSTEM RESTORE and ReBoot

3)In any case,,Reboot in SAFE MODE

4)Run Anti-Spyware programs First.
5)Run Anti-Virus Next.
6)Run the Registry Cleaners after that.

7)Then run Windows Defrag 2~3 times .
1st time it will run SLOW & take a while,,,the next times will be very much faster,,almost instant.

That will fix almost ANYTHING.
It's possible you may have a particularly nasty Virus Type.
If so,,,try to Identify it's name,,and ask for further assistance.

***Be Careful looking around for "HELP-SITES" on the internet.
'Bleive it or not,,,Many of those places are Actual SOURCES of bad-ware.
Then they wanna Sell you Their Program to remove THEIR infection .

Hope that helps,,Good Luck

Answer 2

technology moves fast but unless you're a hardcore gamer or really got some heavy encoding work to do a 4 year old system could still by quite useful...hardly a throw away.

anti-virus software can help remove a lot of the trouble but if you're really in the mood for fresh go round a reformat followed up with a clean windows install would be in order.

with a windows disc handy it's not a terrible job...boot from cd and follow the on screen instructions (burn any important data to disc before hand or you'll lose it)

if you don't have a win disc perhaps a restore disc came with the notebook? nothing like a fresh windows install but the restore discs will at least bring you back to original factory settings.

Answer 3

It would be worthwhile to get it cleaned by an antivirus. As another alternative just format the disk and reload the software so that you will not have the virus. Get a good antivirus when you reinstall the software. Keep on updating the virus definition files regularly

Answer 4

You should buy a good antivirus. (a laptop from 2003 is really not that old, especially if you keep it upgraded) McAfee Antivirus has always removed all of my viruses and spyware when no other antivirus would work. Give it a shot.

Answer 5

Every time a circuit board goes to a landfill. The mercury in the lead-based solder becomes someone's drinking water. Mercury from solder and batteries is known to cause brain cancer.

So, yes, I think it is worth backing up your laptops hard drive to a removable hard drive, wiping the hard drive, reinstalling the operating system and antivirus software. Running an antivirus scan on the removable hard drive, reinstalling your programs, and then restoring your data.

Answer 6

It depends on the system specs, but I would say it would be worth getting it cleaned if you have at least the following:

Intel Pentium 4 Processor
256 MB Memory
20 GB Hard Drive
Windows XP Pro

If you don't have these at least, I would suggest getting a new one if you can afford it.

Answer 7

it is very much worth it to get it fully formated and have a fresh install !! virus are nothing to worry about ! you need to change your laptop only if you have an hardware problem ! software problems can be solved the way i told you....no need a change !!

Answer 8

Buy another and get virus protection.
If you keep this one the viruses could just come back.

Answer 9

You could clean it out, but you'll just get more eventually. Get a computer that doesn't get viruses. Get a Macintosh. MacBooks are excellent notebooks.

Answer 10

Re-install the operating system that came with the laptop.

If you don't have the disks, go to the manufacturer's website to get new ones.