Help with my computer (Part 2)? Healing after getting rid of a virus?

Question

Okay, so some time ago, I had a virus on my computer, and it took some time to delete it. It was a Trojan (shudder).
Anyway, so now the viruses are all gone, I haven't had even one come up on the last four scans.
UNFORTUNATELY, the virus wiped out a bunch of stuff before I could stop it. I can't get into my programs in my start menu, so no games are available (including the Sims 2, which I'm totally addicted to).
Anyway, so I'm wondering what steps I can take to restore my system. I can't get into the start menu to simply do a system restore, so that's out of the question.
If I used the Windows XP disc, would that wipe out everything I already had? Should I back-up my files to a disc? Smash my computer into bits with a baseball bat?
Eventually, this computer is going to be replaced, but I don't want to lose everything in the meantime. Please advise?
(Part one of this is in my profile)
Thanks for any help I get in advance!

Answer 1

Try booting into Safe Mode and running SFC to see if it will fix the corruption in your operating system files.

If your computer comes up clean after running your resident security products, you may want to consider running a System File Checker (SFC). This can be run in Safe Mode should you prefer. To get into Safe Mode either hold down or tap the F8 key repeatedly while the computer is starting up. To run SFC, close all applications such as Office, Messenger, Email, etc, and go to:

- Start
- Run
- Type in sfc /scannow (include the space before the " / ")

What SFC does is that it attempts to fix or replace critical operating system files. Sometimes this can be done without the installation disk, however it may prompt you for the appropriate operating system installation disk. If that is the case, then you know that you definitely have major file corruption or something missing. Insert the disk if prompted. Also you should run SFC using the Administrator account.

If you have the Vista operating system, the steps are a bit different due to the UAC. See the link below.
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/system_file_checker.htm

Don't surf, play games or do anything while SFC runs. After it is completed, reboot your computer.

One of the major culprits in missing or corrupt operating system files is running a registry cleaner or optimizer. They can flag important shared files for deletion or cleanup. Another cause is malware.

NOTE: Before running any registry cleaner or editing the registry, always ensure you back it up first. If the registry cleaner you are using doesn't have that function, you can do it manually. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

Answer 2

You should do a Restore to back your computer up to the point before he virus hit it.
Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. If it doesn't restore the first time, do it again using a date earlier than that if possible. Been there, done it many times on my own computer and others.
Hope this helps. If you need more help, you can email me @ [e-mail]
I do freelance PC Repair. Self Taught.

Answer 3

The first response nailed it. Boot into safe mode (F8 at startup), and first try running system restore from there. Another option is to do a repair install from the XP disk.

step by steps at my links

Answer 4

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