asked on

Reinstalling Windows Pro on a machine that may still have a virus or two on it.

I have a XP Pro Dell pc and I removed over 40 viruses on it. I'm still getting popups and tried using malware that I've used b4, but it doesn't install and the hard drive keeps on chugging and chugging. I try to get to microsoft update site and it won't let me. The auto update shield is Red and when I try to change it, it won't let me. I 've tried some CMD prompts but I ended up loosing my Auto update services in Control Panel.

Can I reinstall the OS over the existing setup? I don't want the customer to have two OS to log into. Can I just override the WINDOWS install with a fresh copy. Then make sure the antivirus and other things are installed. He uses this pc for specialized printing and has 4 printers hooked up to it.

Thanks for your help.
Paul

MiniDevo

Yes, you can reformat the machine and install a fresh copy of windows.

http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu/windows/instructions/reformat.htm

willcomp

If you do a repair install, the malware will still be present. A clean install would remove the critters.

What have you run to remove malware? What won't run?

Attach a Hijack This log as a code snippet in a comment.

The best general purpose adware/spyware removal program is Malware Bytes AntiMalware.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

joepercussion1

Before installling, I recommend using DBAN to make sure they are all gone, and that you hdd is fresh. Get it at dban.org

paulbarstool

ASKER

I use the malware bytes program and can't get it to install. In fact when I install Mozilla Firefox it does install but gives me an error. I think the OS files have been corrupted and it might be better to install a fresh copy of the OS.

I did run Hijack and and removed 4 lines and it did help. This all came from the 2009 Antispy program that we all know is virus/adware program.

I'm still having the problem and since my auto update is not working properly, I'm gonna do a backup,format then install everything again unless others have some quick ideas.
thx

Lee W, MVP

Its relatively rare that you are infected with something that so deeply invades the system you need to use DBAN to get rid of it. I would suggest a reinstall of windows using my documented method of "moving" the Windows, Program Files, and Documents and Settings folders so that you can do a fresh install without losing potentially important data.

http://www.lwcomputing.com/tips/static/freshnoformat.asp

romeoice

Paul
I agree with leew. His method is best, especially if you have potential files that are present that you cannot reproduce. If you can reproduce/reinstall everything that is present; it would be best to format and do a true clean install. Be sure to setup all your virus software and install your patches prior to restore any previous files.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

willcomp

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paulbarstool

ASKER

Worked like a charm for 2009 Antispy. I also used the malware program after cfix was run.

willcomp

Good! Now uninstall ComboFix by typing combofix /u in the Run Box.