Re-format HD after Virus ?

[Guest]

I am currently trying to get the PC running normally after a possible virus
and would appreciate some advice as to wether it is best to reformat the Hard
drive or not.
Although I have updated and run several virus scans which show the PC as now
being Ok, the PC is still running slow and several programs appear to have
various problems.
I have tried re-installing XP but to date have not managed to cure the
problem.
I have heard conflicting advice as to wether it is best to reformat my hard
drive and attempt a clean installation of XP so would welcome your comments.
At the moment my Bios is set to 1/Removable device 2/IDE hard drive 3/Atapi
CD Rom 4/ other boot device. All my drives are pretty std ie a: floppy c:hard
drive d:cd rom e: cd rw.
I have backed up all documents etc and also removed SP2. I would appreciate
any advice as to the best course of action and any help in doing this (I'm
not a PC expert !) ie do I need to change my Bios boot settings etc etc.
Once again your help is appreciated.

Rob.

 

[Galen]

In Eos <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

I am currently trying to get the PC running normally after a possible
virus and would appreciate some advice as to wether it is best to
reformat the Hard drive or not.
Although I have updated and run several virus scans which show the PC
as now being Ok, the PC is still running slow and several programs
appear to have various problems.
I have tried re-installing XP but to date have not managed to cure the
problem.
I have heard conflicting advice as to wether it is best to reformat
my hard drive and attempt a clean installation of XP so would welcome
your comments. At the moment my Bios is set to 1/Removable device
2/IDE hard drive 3/Atapi CD Rom 4/ other boot device. All my drives
are pretty std ie a: floppy c:hard drive d:cd rom e: cd rw.
I have backed up all documents etc and also removed SP2. I would
appreciate any advice as to the best course of action and any help in
doing this (I'm not a PC expert !) ie do I need to change my Bios
boot settings etc etc. Once again your help is appreciated.

Rob.

If you do opt to do so (and from the description you might want to) then
you'll want to change BIOS to have CD as the first boot device (really the
second) as it should go floppy, CD, IDE1 under normal circumstances. Though
the floppy is negotiable these days and once the drive's all ready to go you
can move the CD to the back of the pack if you wanted to.

Galen

 

[Desmond]

I have seveal problems here. I formated my hard disc. 3 partitions
1 C: windows
2 D: everything else
E: Norton ghost image and a bootable floppy.

Windows up and running in 5 minutes.

Desmond.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Rob

Before formatting, consider doing this.. delete all restore points by
turning OFF Ssytem Restore.. to find out how to do this, type <turning off
system restore> into XP 'Help and Support'..

Now to get rid of unwanted nasties on your system.. some basic steps to
removing Spyware/Adware..

First step is to run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that McAfee
Stinger works for people.. download and run it..

http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/ ..

I know that you have already used anti-virus, but humour me and run this
anyway..

You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and Adaware
are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

.... and this link is for the latest Microsoft helping..

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
updates..

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

If you have had your Internet browser hijacked, that is to say, you get
redirected through a search engine NOT of your choosing, you will need
different tools..

HijackThis is a popular and effective tool.. download it from here..

http://www.spychecker.com/download/download_hijackthis.html

CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free
download here..

CWShredder.. http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

About:blank.. http://www.securiteam.com/securityreviews/5RP0L0UD5U.html

http://www.pchell.com/support/aboutblank.shtml

For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
bookmark it..

http://www.pchell.com

You must also run a firewall and anti-virus program.. here are some links
for you..

http://www.mcafee.com
http://www.symantec.com
http://www.zonealarm.com
http://www.kerio.com
http://www.gate.com
http://www.avast.com
http://www.grisoft.com

OK.. you should now have a clean system.. assuming that you have
installation media for programs that are still not running too well, use the
ADD/REMOVE function to un-install them, then re-install from the original
media..

Run Disk Cleanup and Defragmenter.. having done all of this, now re-instate
System Restore..

Of course, this will take a while to do (hours, not days).. the main
advantages are that you will now have the tools necessary to fight future
problems, and you will have learned something too..


Please return to this thread and provide feedback.. it is the only way that
helpers here can determine how effective the advice given has been..

Good luck..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Harry Ohrn]

If you have run AV scans and spyware scans and your system has turned up
clean and if you have already tried reinstalling XP and the problem persists
there is a possibility that your problem is not related to software - like
virus or spyware - but is hardware related. Flaky RAM can be a source of
huge aggravation when trying to troubleshoot performance issues. Try running
a memory tester
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Memory-Tweak/Microsoft-Windows-Memory-Diagnostic.shtml

 

[Al Smith]

I am currently trying to get the PC running normally after a possible virus

and would appreciate some advice as to wether it is best to reformat the Hard
drive or not.
Although I have updated and run several virus scans which show the PC as now
being Ok, the PC is still running slow and several programs appear to have
various problems.
I have tried re-installing XP but to date have not managed to cure the
problem.

My own feeling is that it's best to reformat just to be on the
safe side, once you know you've been infected by some malware.
It's the only way to be certain that everything is gone.

 

[Plato]

My own feeling is that it's best to reformat just to be on the
safe side, once you know you've been infected by some malware.
It's the only way to be certain that everything is gone.

Reformat is a last resort. Tho, in these days, may be needed more often
as even if the nasties have been removed, often there is damage that
cant be repaired, even with an overlay (repair) install.