reformat hard drive containing a virus

[Guest]

I have been told that I need to reformat my hard drive because it is infected
by a virus. can I do an windows xp reinstall and reformat as explaines here
and will that take care of the problem. If not can you redirect me to
potential answers to my question.

mick

 

[Alan Smith]

I have been told that I need to reformat my hard drive because it is
infected
by a virus. can I do an windows xp reinstall and reformat as explaines
here
and will that take care of the problem. If not can you redirect me to
potential answers to my question.

mick

Formatting a disk for one virus sounds a bit over the top. What is the
virus? Who advised this action?

Won't an anti-virus program remove the virus? Have you tried? THere are a
number of good free ones like AVG.
How do you know it is a virus? Could there be spyware or other malware? Have
you scanned for it?

 

[Steve N.]

I have been told that I need to reformat my hard drive because it is infected
by a virus. can I do an windows xp reinstall and reformat as explaines here
and will that take care of the problem. If not can you redirect me to
potential answers to my question.

mick

What virus? Who told you? It is rarely necessary to reformat a drive due
to a virus, that's what antivirus programs are for.

Steve

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Some viruses cause so much damage to so many files that the fastest way to
fix the problem is to do a fresh install. Follow the advice here for
performing a clean install http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

 

[Guest]

With all do respect to what you say Harry (which can sometimes be the case),
I suggest what Steve and Alan are saying is a much better approach "to start
with" rather than doing a complete fomatt of your HD. I think first finding
out if there is a virus and which one or another type of spyware etc. causing
the problem, then using one of the better virus protection programs to rid
the problem (and there are several that can do the job), or whatever other
the case might be, before the last gasp step of formatting is required is a
much better approach.

A complete formatt and re-install is not that hard but you have to consider
all the other work you need to go to prior to formatting (i.e. saving all
your personal files and making sure there are no viruses attached to them,
for starters).

Redwagon

Some viruses cause so much damage to so many files that the fastest way to
fix the problem is to do a fresh install. Follow the advice here for
performing a clean install http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

I have been told that I need to reformat my hard drive because it is
infected
by a virus. can I do an windows xp reinstall and reformat as explaines
here
and will that take care of the problem. If not can you redirect me to
potential answers to my question.

mick

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have been told that I need to reformat my hard drive because
it is
infected by a virus.

Who told you that and why did you believe him? Although it's
sometimes necessary, it's rare that it is.

Before you take such a drastic step, post back with the name of
the virus to see if there's an easier alternative.

 

[Lil' Dave]

While it is seldom a requirement to format a windows boot partition to
remove a large number of virus infectionsor a single virus infection, in
some cases, this may be the only resort for the former.

You should question the need to format and reinstall windows, and implement
other alternatives. Check the pandasoftware website for virus checking your
system for instance, and possible removal of these boogers.

If you have no recourse, formatting may not fix the problem. Some may plant
a potential threat in the partition boot record, so formatting may not
suffice.

Suggest removing the windows partition, then recreating it again with the
setup CD. The formatting of the new partition will be automatic in the XP
setup installation process when instating the new partiiton. Suggest NTFS
vice FAT32 partiition.

The specifics of the virus are needed to give specific information. Its
typical to hear a recommendation that you noted (formatting and fresh XP
install) based on unknown cause of some symptoms, and lack of an AV program
that can detect and eradicate same, if a virus is the cause. But, due to
lack of information and details, same may not even be a virus.

 

[Guest]

thank you all for your responses....I am certainly not sure what it is but
the computer repair shop told me that was the cause...My computer has gotten
to the point getting slower and slower and showing windows at odd times that
are blank and just becoming very very frustrating..had cosidered just buying
a new machine because of the cost quoted to fix it....again thank you all for
your responses
mick

 

[Alan Smith]

If he is quoting an expensive fix he should be telling you EXACTLY what you
get for your money. What is he proposing to do and what is the cost?

Have you ever used anti-virus software? Spyware software?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have been told that I need to reformat my hard drive because it is infected
by a virus. can I do an windows xp reinstall and reformat as explaines here
and will that take care of the problem. If not can you redirect me to
potential answers to my question.

mick

Formatting the hard drive to solve a virus or spyware problem is
rather like using an axe to trim one's fingernails. Sure, it'll
probably get the job done, but it's rather messy...., and almost always
unnecessary. Have you considered using an antivirus application to
remove the virus, instead?

However, if that's what you want to do:

Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot
devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Harry Ohrn]

All due respect back at you

I believe that if a person wants to reformat and reinstall then they should
be allowed to do so without all the rhetoric that gets pumped out here about
how reformatting and reinstalling is the very last thing that they should do
and how bad the advise is to do so. What is possibly so terrible about
reformatting and reinstalling?

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

With all do respect to what you say Harry (which can sometimes be the case),
I suggest what Steve and Alan are saying is a much better approach "to start
with" rather than doing a complete fomatt of your HD. I think first finding
out if there is a virus and which one or another type of spyware etc. causing
the problem, then using one of the better virus protection programs to rid
the problem (and there are several that can do the job), or whatever other
the case might be, before the last gasp step of formatting is required is a
much better approach.

A complete formatt and re-install is not that hard but you have to consider
all the other work you need to go to prior to formatting (i.e. saving all
your personal files and making sure there are no viruses attached to them,
for starters).

Redwagon

Some viruses cause so much damage to so many files that the fastest way to
fix the problem is to do a fresh install. Follow the advice here for
performing a clean install http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

I have been told that I need to reformat my hard drive because it is
infected
by a virus. can I do an windows xp reinstall and reformat as explaines
here
and will that take care of the problem. If not can you redirect me to
potential answers to my question.

mick

 

[Steve N.]

All due respect back at you

I believe that if a person wants to reformat and reinstall then they should
be allowed to do so without all the rhetoric that gets pumped out here about
how reformatting and reinstalling is the very last thing that they should do
and how bad the advise is to do so. What is possibly so terrible about
reformatting and reinstalling?

Nothing is terrible about it at all but it seems that a lot of folks get
advised that in order to rid a computer of viruses, malware, etc. the
only sure-fire way is to reformat and reinstall and it's rarely true.

Reformatting and reinstalling *is* the very last thing people should do
if it is the case that they don't want to resort to that and would like
to avoid it if possible.

What is possibly so terrible about supplying people who ask such
questions with truthful answers?

Steve

 

[Alan Smith]

It is often more work and effort that fixing the problem. Using the easiest
way is normally the best option and that is often *not* backing up your
documents, pictures, emails then starting from the beginning, reinstalling
Windows, motherboard drivers, all of your programs, reinstall your internet
program, hunt out registration numbers, replace your original documenbts etc
etc

All due respect back at you

I believe that if a person wants to reformat and reinstall then they
should
be allowed to do so without all the rhetoric that gets pumped out here
about
how reformatting and reinstalling is the very last thing that they should
do
and how bad the advise is to do so. What is possibly so terrible about
reformatting and reinstalling?

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

With all do respect to what you say Harry (which can sometimes be the case),
I suggest what Steve and Alan are saying is a much better approach "to start
with" rather than doing a complete fomatt of your HD. I think first finding
out if there is a virus and which one or another type of spyware etc. causing
the problem, then using one of the better virus protection programs to
rid
the problem (and there are several that can do the job), or whatever
other
the case might be, before the last gasp step of formatting is required is a
much better approach.

A complete formatt and re-install is not that hard but you have to consider
all the other work you need to go to prior to formatting (i.e. saving all
your personal files and making sure there are no viruses attached to
them,
for starters).

Redwagon

Some viruses cause so much damage to so many files that the fastest way to
fix the problem is to do a fresh install. Follow the advice here for
performing a clean install http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


I have been told that I need to reformat my hard drive because it is
infected
by a virus. can I do an windows xp reinstall and reformat as
explaines
here
and will that take care of the problem. If not can you redirect me to
potential answers to my question.

mick

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Nothing is terrible about it at all but it seems that a lot of folks get
advised that in order to rid a computer of viruses, malware, etc. the only
sure-fire way is to reformat and reinstall and it's rarely true.

Reformatting and reinstalling *is* the very last thing people should do if
it is the case that they don't want to resort to that and would like to
avoid it if possible.

What is possibly so terrible about supplying people who ask such questions
with truthful answers?

Steve

My point exactly Steve. I think "helpers" need to get a grip on their
replies to these questions. Most people posting here are not running major
production systems. They can afford to reinstall the OS. At the very least
they shouldn't be terrorized by the notion that doing so is the "last
possible resort." True a simple scan and repair is often all that is needed
but if a person wants to reformat and reinstall that is their choice and
their choice should be honoured.People ask how to reformat and reinstall XP
and they get a string of posts telling them not to do that, that
reinstalling is the "last gasp resort", or "a terrible idea", or challenged
with questions like "who gave you such bad advice?" All the poster wants to
know is how to reinstall. I am quite certain that they realize this will
take some time to accomplish.

Lets put things into perspective. Ferreting out viruses, spyware and a
number of parasites can take hours and hours, requires specialized software,
knowledge on how to edit the registry and access to a separate computer. I
recently worked on a system that had 5 profiles. It took me 9 hours just to
get the system basically cleaned up. This included dealing with some
particularly nasty high jackers that had to be hacked out manually.
Following this there were a number of problems with one profile or another.
I eventually had to run a Repair Install to fix some of the problems and
never completely got things working 100%. In all I spent in excess of 20
hours on the system. I've cleaned many, many systems over the past few
years, I have access to another computer to research problems, I have access
to a large number of tools and I have direct access to some of the best
parasite fighters, forums and techs on the planet. It would have been very
simply and much less costly in both time and effort for the person blow the
system away and reinstall the OS.

 

[Steve N.]

My point exactly Steve. I think "helpers" need to get a grip on their
replies to these questions. Most people posting here are not running major
production systems. They can afford to reinstall the OS. At the very least
they shouldn't be terrorized by the notion that doing so is the "last
possible resort." True a simple scan and repair is often all that is needed
but if a person wants to reformat and reinstall that is their choice and
their choice should be honoured.People ask how to reformat and reinstall XP
and they get a string of posts telling them not to do that, that
reinstalling is the "last gasp resort", or "a terrible idea", or challenged
with questions like "who gave you such bad advice?" All the poster wants to
know is how to reinstall. I am quite certain that they realize this will
take some time to accomplish.

I got the impression from the OP that he was almost questioning the idea
of needing to nuke & rebuild, but I agree with your points.

Lets put things into perspective. Ferreting out viruses, spyware and a
number of parasites can take hours and hours, requires specialized software,
knowledge on how to edit the registry and access to a separate computer. I
recently worked on a system that had 5 profiles. It took me 9 hours just to
get the system basically cleaned up. This included dealing with some
particularly nasty high jackers that had to be hacked out manually.
Following this there were a number of problems with one profile or another.
I eventually had to run a Repair Install to fix some of the problems and
never completely got things working 100%. In all I spent in excess of 20
hours on the system. I've cleaned many, many systems over the past few
years, I have access to another computer to research problems, I have access
to a large number of tools and I have direct access to some of the best
parasite fighters, forums and techs on the planet. It would have been very
simply and much less costly in both time and effort for the person blow the
system away and reinstall the OS.

Preaching to the choir, Harry

I've worked on machines that took nearly two full days to clean up.

Steve

 

[Harry Ohrn]

I got the impression from the OP that he was almost questioning the idea
of needing to nuke & rebuild, but I agree with your points.


Preaching to the choir, Harry

I've worked on machines that took nearly two full days to clean up.

Steve

I'm preaching to the part of the choir that sings in a different key I
guess. I believe it is responsible to suggest that people try spyware
cleaners and antivirus scans first , but I think it is irresponsible to harp
about how doing a clean reinstall is the worst possible approach to use. And
to lead someone to believe that the advice they might have received from a
friend is totally bogus. We answer questions based on what someone has given
us to work with. Non of us gets to actually see the problem face to face. I
think that helpers in these groups need to focus on giving posters what they
ask for and stop being so damn condescending. Especially when it comes to
cleaning up a system. If someone asks "How do I do a reinstall?" I have no
business asking them "Why do you want to do that?" or telling them that a
reinstall is the last thing they should be doing. Why not let them sort it
out?

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I have been told that I need to reformat my hard drive because it is
infected by a virus. can I do an windows xp reinstall and reformat as
explaines here and will that take care of the problem. If not can you
redirect me to potential answers to my question.

mick

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Format XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/format_XP.htm
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Cymbal Man Freq.]

It would take me months to reinstall all the programs though.

BTW, if there is a boot sector virus, what is the best way to deal with that?
Something about unjumpering something on the motherboard to deactivate the BIOS
during reformatting?