Rstore Windows to default

Hi so basically i got this big bady on my computer, and i was wondering what where the possible options on completely killing it.
I have been working with Ken and we determined the best possible way was to re-format/ re-install windows, or ask dell for recovery disks.

This is the link to what we've worked on http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=62367&page=3

Thanks for the Help. Truly appreciated

Would any of these suggestions require i get new anti-virus? new microsof6t office programs etc?
i have Symantec corporate Ed and The Microsoft office suites. I obtained the computer with all these items pre-installed so i do not have installation disks.

Hi so basically i got this big bady on my computer, and i was wondering what where the possible options on completely killing it.
I have been working with Ken and we determined the best possible way was to re-format/ re-install windows, or ask dell for recovery disks.

This is the link to what we've worked on http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=62367&page=3

Thanks for the Help. Truly appreciated

Would any of these suggestions require i get new anti-virus? new microsoft office programs etc?
i have Symantec corporate Ed and The Microsoft office suites. I obtained the computer with all these items pre-installed so i do not have installation disks.

Hiya Super.duper,

Sorry to hear about your problems, let me assure you working with Ken is one of the best techs you can have helping you and if he said it would be best to reformat your machine then that is the best way to go because a file infector virus is one nasty animal to deal with.

As far as your questions of pre-install software that came with the machine, I may be wrong but most company's that had the recovery cd disk also came with the pre-installed software cd also. May be best when talking to Dell tech to ask them about this for your make and model machine, they would be the best to advise you of this.

Getting a Anti-virus software I would use MSE and here is the link, http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx
another good tool to have is a Malware scanner and its the best one many of use and like, here is the link http://www.malwarebytes.org/

This is about the best advise I could offer you and like Ken said if the infection you had was that bad to consider formatting, then that again is the better way of going.

If you have another need of questions to ask, please feel free to post them and may you have a good day.

Jimbo1

Some history on this gentleman, originally he was infected with a rootkit that infected his Master Boot Record and that was fixed, but after running some other scanners to check for leftovers ESET found the Expiro.T virus which is a file infector.

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=62367&page=2
Look at post 17, all those files and programs are infected and it may just be the tip of the iceburg.

What needs to be done here is to have him back up all his documents and pictures and do a format and reinstall of windows, the recovery disks may work to bring his computer back to factory defaults but the HD needs to be wiped.

Ken mentioned COntacting Dell for recovery CD's. As for the backing up, would i need an external HD? I will check out the guide on this website for reformatting and look up info on thoseCD's. Once again i'de like to thank you gentlemen, for your aid and great service! Too bad i dont know enough to go to one of these malware removal schools, to help other people as well.

the donation should be after the computer is uncompromised else you may donate to the wrong person ….. When i get my system all tidied up, ill be free to donate

Alright so i should NOT update to windows 7 how about, if instead i do a custom install? and from the file "old windows" bring over the items I want if they are not infected? Just curious, ps the link on the reformatting guide for Xp is down.

If you look through what ESET found, you will see many many programs infected. Its best just to backup your pictures and any documents you may need and bite the bullet on the rest, if would be terrible if you backed up and infected program and then reinstalled it, you would be back to square one.

Definitely contact Dell and order the Recovery CD. You may already have a CD or several CDs that contain the software already installed on your computer. Dell did that a lot, just didn't provide a XP CD. As already stated, best bet would be to call them and ask what you will get. Cost is usually around $20 and well worth it. If you take any other path, you will lose Office and any other software you are used to using and will have to either buy it separately or find alternatives. I'd also second (or third) the use of Microsoft Security Essentials in place of Symantec or McAfee. Both of those, though good, put a huge burden on the computer. MSE does not and is still a very good AV program. I use it on my home and work systems and install it on all computers I work on, XP, Vista or Windows 7. At home I also purchased Malware Bytes Anti Malware Pro and run that in concert with MSE. They address different infection vectors and have done a great job of keeping my systems clean.

If you look through what ESET found, you will see many many programs infected. Its best just to backup your pictures and any documents you may need and bite the bullet on the rest, if would be terrible if you backed up and infected program and then reinstalled it, you would be back to square one.

backup NO programs CONFIRMED, no programs will be backed up.
The doucments and PIctures i dont need backed up i have em backed up elsewhere so basicly just skip the backup step and jump straight into the… Re-install XP?

If you look through what ESET found, you will see many many programs infected. Its best just to backup your pictures and any documents you may need and bite the bullet on the rest, if would be terrible if you backed up and infected program and then reinstalled it, you would be back to square one.

whatever i do reid myself of all proigrams, pppurge the HD. it shall be done master.
Now all i gotta do is get a holda that disk since it is the only possible option.

Is it safe to assum when the re-formatting is done my computer will be good as new, meaning safe?

Once again i appreicate all the support you great people have been offering.

Yes, since the rootkit problem has already been resolved, reformatting will clean up the rest of it. If you would, please post back when you contact Dell and let us know what they say and how much they are currently charging for a Recovery CD. That would be good info for anyone else in a similar condition.

Yes, since the rootkit problem has already been resolved, reformatting will clean up the rest of it.

If you would, please post back when you contact Dell and let us know what they say and how much they are currently charging for a Recovery CD. That would be good info for anyone else in a similar condition.

Will do.

Ken brought up a good point with all the New OS's Xp is sure to go down in price.

It's getting harder to find good, legit copies of XP so I don't think the price will go down. In your case, the Dell Recovery CD is a much better choice.

It's getting harder to find good, legit copies of XP so I don't think the price will go down.

In your case, the Dell Recovery CD is a much better choice.

Tell me about it, I went to purchase Vista Prem 64 and found many are no longer selling it, XP a bit harder also.

Jimbo1

Just outta curiosity, lets say i where to upgrade to windows 7, and download Spybot, Malware Bytes and the complementary Microsoft security essentials, then run a scan on files from "old windows" and if they appeared to be "clean" while some show up as infected. Could the "un-infected" programs be brought up, and have the rest of the "old windows" files deleted? The new Windows 7 Os being clean inn itself finding threats only in the old.windows, file. Just hypothetically speaking, i don't wanna take up anymore of your time Xp disk, install from disk, reformat partitions and drive C. Or use the Dell re-boot disk option, ill talk to them and see what they say the guys at WTT wanted some info. on that so i will post it there when i get it. super.duper is online now Report Post Reply With Quote Also about contacting Dell, i obtained this system as a gift, and it was used, So i would have to talk to them about that too. I just made an account on their forums, so… yeah. I wish i knew more about this stuff maybe i could have been able to join the classroom.