Hi and welcome to the WTT forums, sorry to hear of your problems with your computer.
1 If you are seeking help with removal of malware then its best to go here and follow the directions:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/Welcome_New_…rs_t106388.html
2 However if you are wanting to format your c drive, but are having difficulty then its best to stay here for a while…..
3 So we can give you the best advice can you please tell us if you are trying to format your c drive?
4 If you are then please be aware that this will "wipe" everything from your c drive, your whole operating system (Windows) all your settings, Internet passwords emails letters documents, spreadsheets, address books, photos, music, your PHd thesis perhaps, that may be on your c drive ……..everything on c drive will be completely erased.
5 Formatting your c drive is generally considered a last resort but is some times necessary. So before you go any further you will need to check that your back up of all your important stuff is 100% accurate , up to date and reproducible. Naturally it will be no good if it is stored on your c drive so it will have to be moved ( preferably to an external hard drive USB etc) before you go any further.
6 Next you will need to have a back up of all your drivers…if you have not got this or a manufacturer's driver disc then it would be wise to download as a minimum your network adapter card drivers, so at least you will be able to connect to the Internet once the format is completed.
7 Make sure you have your Windows serial key handy it is usually to found on the COA (a sticker stuck to either the side or bottom of the computer) the key will be 25 alpha numeric characters with 5 groups of 5
8 Gather together all your application ( Program) installation discs or downloaded installation executable files for all your applications that you will want to install once you have formatted, you will also need a serial key for each of these if applicable.
9 Lastly make sure you have either the manufacturer's restore disc handy or your Microsoft Windows installation disc as these are important to the smooth progress of the format and reinstall.
10 As a general guide it should not take long to format and reinstall Windows ( about an hour) but dealing with all the service packs and critical updates, setting up your email, your Internet, all your progams, including your 2 way firewall your anti virus/spyware and installing any peripherals ( like printers, scanners etc) togeter with ( for example) Microsoft Office service packs are quite likely to take you the best part of a working day before the machine has been configured exactly to your requirements and is back to normal…….. You will then need of course to import all your data files from your back up onto your machine, so you can easily access your files again.
The good news is that having done all this then the format should have killed off the malware that may have been infecting your machine……….
You can see therefore why I suggest that formatting and reinstalling is generally considered one of the last steps to take when other things have failed to get your machine working satisfactorily in a timely of cost effective way.
Post back if you need any clarification on any of this, but in the meantime good luck with getting your machine working satisfactorily.
Regards
paws
