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jamsieboy · Jan 17, 2008, 12:48 PM

My computer isfull of spyware adware viruses etc. is there any way I can get rid of these or even start fresh? Almost a new computer.

alyssarox32 · Jan 17, 2008, 01:24 PM

Yes you can. If you have windows then you should have the windows installation CD. Use that CD and re-install windows.

ScottGem · Jan 17, 2008, 01:36 PM

If your Computer came with a Recovery CD or Recovery partition, then you can use that to wipe the hard drive and start as it came from the factory. Otherwise you will need to reformat the hard drive and then reinstall everything.

alyssarox32 · Jan 17, 2008, 02:55 PM

Hey Scottgem you know what I mean. I meant the recovery CD but I wasn't sure what it was called. Thanks!

lukecarrier · Jan 18, 2008, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by alyssarox32

Hey Scottgem you know what I mean. I meant the recovery CD but I wasn't sure what it was called. Thanx!

They're pretty much the same thing, apart from OEMs tend to add some useless jukebox or bunch of ads into the desktop folders to recovery CDs.
And ScottGem that wasn't really fair giving him bad rep for that, most people take it that a format and install is the same as a re-install.

ScottGem · Jan 18, 2008, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by lukecarrier

They're pretty much the same thing, apart from OEMs tend to add some useless jukebox or bunch of ads into the desktop folders to recovery CDs.
And ScottGem that wasn't really fair giving him bad rep for that, most people take it that a format and install is the same as a re-install.

Nope. The Windows Installation CD is not the same as a Recovery CD. No way, no how. A Recovery CD is a cloned image of the hard drive when first setup. The windows Installation CD just installs Wndows.

donf · Jan 18, 2008, 01:42 PM

Jamie boy,

Let's get you back on track here. First, you need to run a complete scan of your system.

Check your protection software. See if it will allow you to run a complete scan from the software's site. In my case, I'm using Verizon Security and I can can run such a scan.

Start the scan, and run it several times. Once you get several clean runs, start the scan again looking for spy-ware. If you finally get a completely clean scan, then do a "Cold Start" and see how it goes from there.