I have a computer virus...What part needs to be replaced???

Question

If I have a computer virus.......where is the virus? I have the chance to buy a new tower with OS and processor and motherboard etc. Can I just transfer my hard drives into the new tower and be rid of the virus. This is just a simple home PC and I am just a simple guy when it comes to PCs. I'm no "techie" so please talk to me like I'm 9 yrs old.

Answer 1

You don't need to replace any parts- the clean the virus, you can either use anit-virus software, or just erase the hard disk and then install Windows from scratch.

If you completely reformat the hard drive, that gets rid of everything on it (including the virus) so you can start over.

Answer 2

the virus would be in the hard drive, thats where all the information is stored, the virus could also be in a usb memory drive you have, conclusion the virus can be in any device that stores information. ALthougt some people claim they can, a virus will never damage your hardware(hardware is everything you can touch like monitor, keyboard, motherboard, etc.) a virus will only damage your software.

To get rid of the virus format your PC or call someone to get rid of the virus dont buy anything new.

Answer 3

Depends on the virus, it could be anywhere on the hard drive, but most will reside/operate in the c:\windows\system32 directory. What a virus does is damage part of your operating system, you can remove the virus, but the damage to the operating system remains. Transfer the content of the hard drive may just transfer the virus, you can try a virus scan to remove the virus.

Answer 4

OK. The virus is on the hard drive. You can either format it, which is wipe all the information from the drive. Most anti-virus software should get the virus off of it. Nortons Anti-virus is very good, so is MacAffee. I suggest getting a reputable anti-virus software, and then go from there.

Answer 5

Transfering the hard drives probably will just transfer the malware as well. You can follow these steps to try and get rid of your virus problem.

Firstly update and run your anti-virus product. You can also run a free online scan as well as some malware can actually corrupt or disable your resident security products. Here are a few online scans you can run:
Trend - http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Panda - http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm
Norton - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Second download, update and run scans using the following products:
SuperAntispyware
http://superantispyware.com/
Spybot S&D (free version requires manual updating)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
AVG AntiSpyware
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5
Adaware from Lavasoft (free version requires automatic updating)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

(These programs can be run in Safe Mode after downloading and updating)

Third, after cleaning your system, disable System Restore, reboot and re-enable System Restore when you log back on. This will clear the malware that may still be lurking in System Restore, which could be reinstalled should you need to rollback at some point. Additionally, a reboot may be required to complete the malware removal process.

Lastly, you may also want to install the following tool. It is free and requires you to check for and enable updates manually once a week or so. It uses no system resources.
SpywareBlaster (inoculates, not a spyware removal tool)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
================================
If you cannot get it removed after the above, you may want to join a tech group that specializes in providing manual instructions on malware eradication.

Free technical help forums

AumHa Forums
http://aumha.net/index.php
Bleeping Computers
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/
Spybot S&D Forums
http://forums.spybot.info/
Lavasoft Forums
http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/
Spyware Info Forums
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=79038
GeekstoGo
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/forums.html

Answer 6

If you do not have an active antivirus to track the virus down and quarantine it, you may have to delete it yourself...unless you opened the file and your whole system is infected...if this is the case you need to reformat your hardrive, which means that all of your files and saved info have to go.

Answer 7

infected hard drive can not be used
must clean it
you decide what is best for you

run this first for sure
http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

this is what i use but not free but the best
http://shop.ca.com/
click links has free insurance to
FOR VISTA HERE IS ONE YEAR FREE
THIS IS THE BEST
http://home3.ca.com/SubscriptCenter/MSTrialRegistration.aspx?cid=1855&lang=en-US
FREE SCAN
http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
http://security.yahoo.com/
-Free registry cleaners or trials -
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/...
http://www.eusing.com/window_washer/wind...
http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_clea...
http://www.abexo.com/free-registry-clean...
http://ccleaner.com/
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
FREE VIRUS PROTECTION ETC
Spy Remover
http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
http://security.yahoo.com/
http://www.basicspywaretips.com/spywareremovaltool.html
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/5390/1ng/us/tp1/v5#avg-anti-spyware-free
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm
http://www.spybot.info/
http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/
http://superantispyware.com/
http://mypchelp.blogspot.com/2006/10/essential-free-internet-security.html
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/spyware/default.mspx
http://www.liutilities.com/products/campaigns/ppc/rb/gog/?gclid=CJ3645zV7YwCFRtAgQodxRs6iQ
http://www.secureity.com/firewall.html

Answer 8

save your work ,games,movies on cd,or,dvd and ask to your father to reinstal windows,after that try antivirus bitdefender 8free edition of company SOFTWIN.good luck.