Absolutely only back up data in that circumstance as it's impossible to know
what's infected and what isn't with regard to the system. You should also
do a virus scan of all the user's data files to be sure none are infected as
well.
As to the reinstall of XP, if you mean installing over itself, that won't
solve the problem and might make it worse. You should use antivirus and
adware scanning and removing tools. When removal is complete, scan again to
be sure the system is clean. Then run the system for a bit to see how it is
running. If there are problems or system files that are missing, you can do
the following:
The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.
Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.
Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.
The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.
Note, the user may receive notices when booting of missing files, those may
be virus files that have nothing to do with the system and the message is
being generated by remaining references possibly in the startup folder,
maybe in the startup tab of msconfig or possibly in the registry. If there
seems to be a lot of problems left over, then you should consider a clean
install of XP, that means during XP setup, delete the current partition,
create a new one, format the partition and continue with setup. Then
reinstall the applications and then restore the user's data from backup.
