49 replies to this topic

[paws]

Suzy,
Many folks use "the cloud"  for storage and uploading/downloading their files, and have experienced no great difficulties...... However I'd always recommend that folks also consider keeping their treasured files and  documents photos, etc on their own computers, rather than on someone else's ...  (no matter how worthy they may be) at least then you have them under your direct control and a couple of large capacity memory sticks or external USB hard drives can also be helpful in ensuring that you have multiple copies kept safely in separate locations.There is also something to be said for keeping printed copies of your photos...even though you may have a lot of them.
Regards
paws

[SuzyQZ]

I have all of the photos on a flash drive now. I've never even owned a flash drive before, so this was a new step. I'm learning more and more each day from you helpful people. I'm really am enjoying this education about computers and liking it. Can you direct me to a good site to learn more about using and working with computers - more than the average user?

 

Tonight when I get home from work, I will list all of the software that I have for my current computer, and perhaps you can let me know if what I have is sufficient for the reformatting to go forward soon.

 

Thanks, Suzy

[SuzyQZ]

Okay, here are the software discs that I have. Is it everything that is needed?:

 

PNY installation disc

Intel-Intel AsRock DVD: Divers - Utilities IIZ77 -1 8c

Encore Electronics Wireless N300 PCI-E Adapter - Wireless N150 PCI-E Adapter

LG Super Multi Drive Install Disc for Windows

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit software - includes Windows Anytime upgrade - Includes Service Pack 1

 

Also, my Office 2010 packaging with key code states "You can obtain a backup download if you need to reinstall this software on the same PC. Go to www.office.com/backup for more info." Should I do this before or after reformatting?

 

Suzy

Edited by SuzyQZ, 08 October 2014 - 10:44 PM.

[paws]

Hi Suzy

I would be inclined to have all your required downloads completed, and saved to memory stick/flash drive etc, before you format...

 

Check in "Device Manager" which wireless network adapter you have installed so you can install the correct driver should Win 7 not be able to find the correct one on its own!

 

If you used the Belarc Advisor that I linked to earlier this will also provide useful information.... you can either print out the details or save to flash drive (if you do save to flash drive then make sure the file opens OK as its possible to get it wrong.... )

 

Also have you downloaded your anti virus product? ..... you don't want to be going on to the Internet on a newly formatted machine to download one without having your basic protections in force....(that really would be most unwise)

 

Can you tell us please the exact make and model number of your computer, as many proprietary machines ( Dell, Toshiba, HP, Compaq, Fujitu Siemens just as an example)  include a hidden partition on the hard drive that includes a recovery image of your complete operating system, that might be very helpful in performing the format and reinstall (save hours of work etc)

 

As to learning about computers, you could do a lot worse than look at posts on our forum here.....find a topic or computer issue that interests you and see if you can find out the answer ( using a search engine correctly is a useful skill to develop and can give you a good steer on a whole host of issues) you can then make a note of the reply that  you might be inclined to compose, and then compare that with the actual replies to the topic.... this is an excellent way of learning....,for some folks but not all... I guess its all to do with "learning styles" and the way that you feel most comfortable with accessing new information, relating it to existing knowledge and skills and moving forward.

 

Just one word of caution, anyone can respond to a general forum ( not Virus or Spyware Removal forums) so be cautious,and use your life skills to try and identify if the person is providing sound advice, before taking it on board 100%..... a reply from a Staff or Team member here at WTT or a "Visiting Technician" etc can be relied on and post count and title can provide additional information  ( I have given a link below to help you identify who is who at WTT)

 

Only accredited people are allowed to respond in the Virus and Spyware topics, so you can of course rely on their responses, but in the general forums anyone can respond ( provided they are age 13 or over), so tread cautiously.......but please dont think that our general membership are unskilled or cavalier in their responses...they are generally of high quality and caliber  (It is fair to say however that the moderating team here will intervene and remove any post or dangerous information that is posted, either innocently or maliciously as soon as they see it, so you can hopefully be not too fearful whilst on a site such as WTT

 

http://forums.whatth...howtopic=112210

Regards

paws

[SuzyQZ]

Thanks, PAWS.

 

I ran and printed out the Belarc Advisor today, so I now have that info if needed.

 

I think that I will go to the store tomorrow and buy an antivirus program, since I have some type of corruption on this computer. Any brands that you would recommend? Is this the best way?

 

I do not have a proprietary computer. It was custom built and about 1.5 years of age. It has an Intel Core i5-3570 3.4 Ghz 6MB Cache Quad-Core. Any way of finding the info about the partition that you asked? Remember that there is some type of downloaded malware on here.

 

Suzy

Edited by SuzyQZ, 09 October 2014 - 10:31 PM.

[ken545]

Suzy, no need to go out and buy anything as far as AV, you have Win 7 and Microsoft Security Essentials will run just fine ;and its free, you can download it to a disk or come back here and use this link to download and install it

http://www.microsoft...ls.aspx?id=5201

 

Then go and download Malwarebytes Anti Malware and also Malwarebytes Anti Exploit

https://www.malwareb....org/downloads/

 

You can do this when you first get online, Exploit just sits in the background blocking any changes to your browsers. 

 

If you upgrade to the Pro Version of Malwarebytes it offers a protection module that blocks known bad sites, the cost is very minimal but its up to you if you want to purchase it. Myself i have the pro version on all my systems along with family and friends

[SuzyQZ]

For the MS Security Essentials, do I download the Amd64 version or the x86 version?  Suzy

Edited by SuzyQZ, 09 October 2014 - 10:30 PM.

[ken545]

This is what you have right now and assuming your going to install the same version 

 

Platform: Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1 (X64) OS Language: English (United States)

 

So you want to 64 bit version for windows 7

[paws]

Suzy,

As you have a custom built machine there is not much chance, I'm afraid, that there will be a hidden recovery partition.

 

With regard to the downloads that Ken suggested, I recommend that you download the executable files and save them to your flash drives, BEFORE you format..... ( have everything you need ready before commencing the format and reinstall procedure...that would be my advice)...that way if you can install them on your newly formatted hard drive, immediately after reinstalling Windows (and of course making sure that the Windows firewall is set to "on") then even though they may not be updated they will probably provide some level of protection when you first go on to the Internet to update them and visit Windows Update to update your operating system.

 

You should not go on to the Internet at this time not even for a second.... for any purpose whatsoever, other than to update your protections and update Windows itself...... once Windows says its up to date and no further updates are available then close down your computer, (a full shutdown, not a sleep/hibernate) wait 30 seconds with a blank black screen, and then restart it.... wait for 5 minutes and then visit Windows update again...... there may be more updates available..... keep doing this complete procedure until you see the no more Windows updates are available for the second consecutive time (not forgetting the restarts each time....)
 

You can then start to set up your Email, Internet configurations and start to use it normally etc and begin to install your Microsoft Office suite and other applications.etc.

Post back if you have any questions and one of us will come back with recommendations as soon as we can.

Regards

paws

[SuzyQZ]

Okay, I have the MS Security Essentials, and both Malwarebytes program's executive files copied to DVD.

 

You said to "Check in "Device Manager" which wireless network adapter you have installed so you can install the correct driver should Win 7 not be able to find the correct one on its own!"  Exactly where do I look for the speed, whether I will need the 300 or 150?

 

Then, is everything set for a go? I won't be able to do that until Sunday afternoon.

 

Suzy

[paws]

Suzy,

Open Device Manager and expand ( click on the + sign) the entry labelled Network adapters this should tell you the exact name of the Wired adapter card and also the wireless adapter card that may be fitted in your computer... so if for any reason Win 7 cannot find the correct driver then you will know to install the corrrect driver for the network card(s) that is fitted.

 

This is a belt and braces type approach, the likelihood is that Win 7 will be able to install the correct drivers for your network adapter card, but if for any reason it can't then you will be unable to connect to the Internet until you have the correct network adapter card driver installed....

Good luck for Sunday!

Regards

paws

[SuzyQZ]

Thanks, paws. It says that my driver is Realtek RTL8192CE wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC.  I don't see that company with my software. I found the company web site and searched for that device driver. I located it, and the option I am given is: 802.11b/g/n driver for OmniPeek tool(Support WinXP/Vista/Win7 OmniPeek v6.0 and later version)  Would this be the correct one to download? 

 

Also, who will tell me how to do this project?

 

Suzy

Edited by SuzyQZ, 10 October 2014 - 09:40 PM.

[SuzyQZ]

Disregard that post above. That was for driver CU, not CE. I don't see my exact driver listed, except one that is RTL 8192CE-VA4. I do not see VA4 after my device.

[paws]

That one should do the trick (For a wireless card)

direct download from here:

http://152.104.125.4...&Downloads=true

 

Don't install it yet, just gave it handy as the likelihood is that Win 7 will auto install the drivers you need for your machine

 

In Device Manager was there a wired network adapter card ( or any other type) listed?

Regards

paws

[SuzyQZ]

It says that this is also in there: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller .