Please help, PC gone crazy!

[Guest]

Hi,

After using a shareware program I think I have something nasty on my
computer! It's very strange, sometimes my laptop runs fine, but other times
it won't let me use Internet Explorer or any of the programs. It says that
there is insufficient memory to run the programs but this isn't true, I have
lots of space!
Have tried running all my antivirus software and the microsoft malicious
search and they all come up blank.
A friend suggested I 'format' my computer, ie: wipe everything off and start
again, how can I do this? Thanks for your help.

 

[MAP]

Hi,

After using a shareware program I think I have something nasty on my
computer! It's very strange, sometimes my laptop runs fine, but other
times it won't let me use Internet Explorer or any of the programs.
It says that there is insufficient memory to run the programs but
this isn't true, I have lots of space!
Have tried running all my antivirus software and the microsoft
malicious search and they all come up blank.
A friend suggested I 'format' my computer, ie: wipe everything off
and start again, how can I do this? Thanks for your help.

Space has nothing to do with memory they are two different things.
What Anti-Virus program are you running? Not all are created equal when it
comes to malware,their main funtion are geared for viruses.

Reformating should be the very last thing you shoud do unless you don't mind
reinstalling all of your programs and personal settings. Even if you do
this, you WILL become reinfected again in the future unless you take steps
to secure your system.

Here are 2 programs that offer a fully funtional trial period install and
update both of them and scan your system in both safe and normal mode.

Ewido security suite.
http://www.ewido.net/en/

SpySweeper.
http://www.webroot.com/consumer/downloads/

Good Luck!

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Try this first:

"Symantec Virus and Security Scan"
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/home_homeoffice/index_virus.html?src=hho_us

To permanently erase your hard disk:

"How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313348

To prevent this from happening again:

"Security at home: Protect your PC"
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/Default.mspx

 

[Guest]

please post the exact low memory error message!!