Format help please :(!

[Bruticus the Steadfast]

I *need* to re-format my computer. This virus is not going away.

I have a few questions/problems.

There are alot of files and stuff I want to save. Ok, I have two HDs on my computer, the D is just full of files and program files, but no windows type files. That being said, is it possible to just reformat the C drive? Would that be safe to not reformat the D? (I think I am just going to burn all those files to a CD anyway tho, but its nearly 15-20 gigs of stuff :-/, and I only have CD not DVD..so :-/....also, what program can I use to burn data disk, I have never really done it :-/ )

Besides that, I have a major problem. I am *still* the the process of moving. And all of my windows and etc CD's are in storage!. Is there any way I can do a re-format or anything that would get rid of this damn virus without them?

[Richard the Lionheart]

Did you do a boot-time virus scan like I told you?

[Bruticus the Steadfast]

4 times, and it still keeps comming back :-/

[Richard the Lionheart]

4 times, and it still keeps comming back :-/

What exactly is the problem?

[Bruticus the Steadfast]

I am still geting virus alterts from Avast somtimes on start up. And it tells me to do the boot scan again somtimes, which I have done every night so far :-/.

Also, I can just tell theres a virus. There are new still odd process in the task manager sometimes, and sometimes something (virus I think) is making it so I cant even open the task manager. (for obvious reasons). Also some program (a windows one it does seem tho) is trying to connect to the internet. And if I dont connect as soon as I boot up, (I am on 56k) Pep PC (what I use here) when I try to connect after that, is telling me that somethign else is already trying to connect. (As well as my connection and internet just acting "Werid").

I have no idea what else do to :-/. Maybe Download another virus program and see what it can do?


But is there a way for me to re-format without all my windows and start up disk?

[Richard the Lionheart]

Well, let's wait on the re-format.

1) Update Windows.

2) Connect to the internet once, update Avast, Spybot, and Adaware. Then disconnet and dont' reconnect!

3) Set the Avast Resident Protection on "High".

4) Make sure to activate all 7 Avast "providers".

5) When you schedule a Boot-Time scan, make sure to click on "Scan all local disks".

6) Under "Advanced Options" there are two drop down menues. For the first one, choose "Delete Infected File". and for the second one choose "Allow Move or Delete".

7) After the boot time scan, run a "full system scan" using Adaware.

8) Then run a full scan using Spybot, and also make sure to immunize your system using Spybot.

[Bruticus the Steadfast]

Well, let's wait on the re-format.

1) Update Windows.

2) Connect to the internet once, update Avast, Spybot, and Adaware. Then disconnet and dont' reconnect!

3) Set the Avast Resident Protection on "High".

4) Make sure to activate all 7 Avast "providers".

5) When you schedule a Boot-Time scan, make sure to click on "Scan all local disks".

6) Under "Advanced Options" there are two drop down menues. For the first one, choose "Delete Infected File". and for the second one choose "Allow Move or Delete".

7) After the boot time scan, run a "full system scan" using Adaware.

8) Then run a full scan using Spybot, and also make sure to immunize your system using Spybot.

Ok, sounds good. But lets go thru those.

**1. Well....I dont think I am even close to being nearly updated on windows..that could take a while. Is it *really* important? Or can it wait until after I do the other steps?

2.Ok

3.It already is, but good.

***4.Ok, I dont really get that, what is that? and how do I do it?

5.Ok (That should only take like 5 hours :-/ lol)

***6.Ok, but why not move to chest? I dont want to end up deleating a key system file and not be able to get back on later :-/ you know? Or is it for the best?

7.Ok, I am Dl'ing it right now.

8.Good.

[Richard the Lionheart]

Ok, sounds good. But lets go thru those.

**1. Well....I dont think I am even close to being nearly updated on windows..that could take a while. Is it *really* important? Or can it wait until after I do the other steps?

Very very very important! You have to fully update windows (XP?) in order to get the latest security patches and updates. This means also installing Service Pack 2 if you haven't already done so.

***4.Ok, I dont really get that, what is that? and how do I do it?

First, just roll over your mouse over the avast icon, the icon with the "a" on it, and see how many of the providers are running. If it says 6 or 7, then you should be fine.

But check anyways...

Right click on the avast icon, the icon with the "a" on it, and select "On Access Protection Control". On the bottom of the screen there is a button labled "Details". Click on it. You should then see a list of 7 "providers" on the left. Click on each of those and make sure that they are all activated. There are 3 buttons for each one: "Start", "Pause", and "Terminate". If the "start" button is grayed out, then you should be fine.

***6.Ok, but why not move to chest? I dont want to end up deleating a key system file and not be able to get back on later :-/ you know? Or is it for the best?

At your stage, you have no other choice. Just do it.



Also, do this first, before doing anything else:

If you have XP, go to Start, right click on the "My Computer" icon, and select "Properties". On the newly opened window, click on the "Remote" tab. Make sure to uncheck the boxes for Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop. In other words, make sure both of those features are disabled.

[Bruticus the Steadfast]

""First, just roll over your mouse over the avast icon, the icon with the "a" on it, and see how many of the providers are running. If it says 6 or 7, then you should be fine.

But check anyways...

Right click on the avast icon, the icon with the "a" on it, and select "On Access Protection Control". On the bottom of the screen there is a button labled "Details". Click on it. You should then see a list of 7 "providers" on the left. Click on each of those and make sure that they are all activated.""

(Sorry, quote is not working for some reason)

For some reason the system tray icon is not there, I dont know if I disabled it by accide or what, I think I may have been stupid I took it off when I took some other things off using regcleaner.

How do I get it back on the tray?

[Richard the Lionheart]

Just run the main program, go into settings, and click on "Appearance". There you can enable the avast icon.

Is Avast set to run when windows starts up?

Oh and make sure to set Avast's update option as Automatic.

[Bruticus the Steadfast]

Just run the main program, go into settings, and click on "Appearance". There you can enable the avast icon.

Is Avast set to run when windows starts up?

Oh and make sure to set Avast's update option as Automatic.

Hmm, its still not showing up.

BUT* I have done all the scans again. I am going to update windows, then do it all again. (Even tho things seem to be working fine for now).

[Richard the Lionheart]

Hmm, its still not showing up.

Well then you can just uninstall the whole thing and re-install it AFTER your current problem is solved.

BUT* I have done all the scans again. I am going to update windows, then do it all again. (Even tho things seem to be working fine for now).

Good. Updating Windows is very important.

Also, remember to download a firewall like the free version of ZoneAlarm and always have that enabled.

http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm/30...ml?tag=lst-0-2

[King Edward I]

try getting zonealarm firewall if you havent already...

[Incinerate_IV]

Do you have an anti-spyware program too? If not then get spybot or Adaware now!

[Bella]

as far as burning software goes, i'd use DeepBurner found here:
http://www.deepburner.com/

it's free and it's the most compatible burning software i've come across so far.