My computer has windows 2000 software, and has several virus's I can not remove?

Question

If I put windows XP onto the computer ,will all these virus's be elliminated?....Your advise would be greatly apreciated.

Answer 1

Get off the Internet. You're infecting everybody else.

If your old computer is running Windows 2000, I doubt it's powerful enough to handle XP. You're probably better off buying a new (used) computer.

Answer 2

Reinstall your operating system is always the best option. Some people are diluted in thinking that virus protection actually protects you from all viruses. Your not even close. Especially downloaded viruses. More viruses are quarantined than removed. Reinstall your Operating System and be careful of what you put or download onto your computer. I have been on the computer since Windows 3.1 and I have Cable internet and I have never had a virus on my computer and I never had to reinstall my OS. I used Mcafee & Windows Live and I don't get viruses because I make myself aware of whats on my computer and what I am downloading. Do not upgrade a computer with a virus on it unless your doing a full install and not a upgrade. Upgrades don't kill viruses.

Answer 3

The viruses would only be removed if you formated the hard drive (wiping everything off it) before installing XP. If you just install XP over 2000 without formatting, the viruses will still be there (as will your data and programs)

Before doing that, try booting the PC in Safe Mode (repeatedly press the F8 key during th boot up until you get a menu screen with the Safe Mode option) and run your virus scanner is Safe Mode. It can often remove viruses in Safe Mode that it can't in regular mode.

Then run a spyware scan or two, in case it is not a virus, but a spyware causing the issue. Go to http://download.com and get BOTH Skybot Seek&Destroy and Ad-aware SE. They are both free. Run them both in Safe Mode.

If that does not clean everything, repost with the name of the virus(es), and someone may be able to give you specific instructions for that virus. Each one is different.

Answer 4

Before going for reinstallation of the operating system may suggest a plan? Try to carryout system restore. Restore the PC to a day previous to the day when there was no virus or any problems. It may be a few weeks or months back. You have to decide the date. It is easier and mostly your problems will be solved.. If you want to know an effective procedure for system restore please visit the following site.
http://www.jskproducts.co.uk/RestorePC.htm
After successfull repairs select a standard antivirus and an anti spyware and install in your PC so that the problem does not occur again.
You can get free/paid antivirus at http://jskproducts.co.uk/antivirus.htm
Select and install a suitable anti spy ware from the following link .
http://www.jskproducts.co.uk/spyware.htm

Answer 5

No, they will not, unless you format the disk and install a "full" version.

You can do that -- back up your data (onto cds or a flash drive), note the programs you use and make sure you have sources/install disks/etc. Make especially sure you find e-mail data; Outlook and Outlook Express hide the data! Export it, along with address books so you can import them later.

Make sure you have driver disks from the manufacturer, and they contain XP drivers.

When you install XP (and it HAS to be the full version, not the upgrade) tell it to format the drive.

You might be able to re-install 2000. If you have recovery disks you can just do a full re-install and go from there.

Answer 6

Wason long properly-known because of the fact the perfect?, at the beginning as for anti virus Avira is the perfect loose, Avast sucked until it released its 5.0 replace. Avira falls at the back of Avast no longer in it rather is virus detection yet their lack off stepped forward heuristics and cyber web shelter, there is the perfect answer. For an older gadget choose for AVG regardless of the indisputable fact that I hate it, that's a procedures greater effective then maximum different. McAfee blows -.-

Answer 7

if you upgrade and install xp over win2000 the viruses will still be there you need to format the hard disk before you install xp.
The reason you're having trouble is because the viruses are running and can't easily be deleted but all viruses can be removed if you know how I assume you've got anti-virus so here's how you do it boot into safe mode then run your scan it's a simple as that

Answer 8

Hi,

Yes, if you format your computer and install the fresh XP copy on top, they will all be gone (along with anything you had previously stored in your computer). Regarding your machine, don't worry, it'll work fine in XP too (512MB of RAM would be better, but it'll run with 256 as well). Just don't forget to do a FULL format, not a quick format. ;)

Hope I could help,
Regards,
TK

Answer 9

either you install and download new anti virus program with all new viruses definitions to detect and and delete them or you should format your computer may be only the memory part where the operating system reside otherwise nothing will work

good luck

Answer 10

Use your restore disc and reinstall windows 2000. This is your best bet, to just start over. I hope you change your habits so you don't have to do the same thing later.