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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 19:52:19

Title: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 19:52:19
Im trying to sort out a m8's pc...

Its what happens when you buy a pc with time limited antivirus software and dont bother paying for continued use......bloody thing is riddled with virus's.....

Half the apps wont run properly.....and it wont let me install antivirus software to clean it.

So next plan is to back it all up to one of my pc's over my network.....i think this is fairly safe as all my pc's are running latest av software and updates. Dont want to just copy the files he thinks he needs coz you can bet your life he'll think of another file/s he needs

Then format its HD and install all the apps again including AV software then restore his files he needs....the newly installed AV software should clean any infected files as it restores....but ive hit a problem

Its got XP Home (Packard Bell version) edition on it......theres no Backup util.....how mad is that!!

Ive discovered you are suppose to be able to add it under install/remove progs but im stumped if i can find it......so anyone know?? if you can add backup to XP home edition? and how to

cheers
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Baron Von Spongebob on 29 July 2007, 19:56:15
Write down/Print out any important info..

Format and reinstall.. Thats what i would do.. :y
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 20:03:57
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Write down/Print out any important info..

Format and reinstall.. Thats what i would do.. :y

Erm theres about a zillion photos saved in lots of places.....and no im getting my sketch pad out  ;D

And i dont what is important or not......ok i have a small list.....but theres always gonna be did you save 'this' document....Just rather back it all up.....then at least i can get 'forgotten' files back  :y
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Baron Von Spongebob on 29 July 2007, 20:08:39
Copy all photos to disk.. :y

Phone him up and ask whats important because this is whats needed.. Fresh install..Crate of beer for you and him..

Every time my duaghters computer gets corrupted because of not listening..Fresh install...Lots of tears but next day she is over it.. ;D ;D
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: CaptainZok on 29 July 2007, 20:11:25
You not got an external HD to backup to, or failing that an old drive to install as a temp?
Think it would be a lot safer than moving virus laden stuff onto your systems.
As to the virus question, have you tried one of the online scanners, see if it can root out enough to let you install a proper av scanner and remove without a reinstall of windoze.
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Nickbat on 29 July 2007, 20:16:34
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You not got an external HD to backup to, or failing that an old drive to install as a temp?
Think it would be a lot safer than moving virus laden stuff onto your systems.
As to the virus question, have you tried one of the online scanners, see if it can root out enough to let you install a proper av scanner and remove without a reinstall of windoze.

Yes, I'd be tempted to go to:

http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/consumer/housecall/housecall_launch.php

Then print out the report of the viruses. It IS possible, though time-consuming, to eradicate some viruses manually. The way I have done this in the past is to get the name of the virus from the scan then do a Google for it and find a manual remedy.

Worth a try, at any rate. :y
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 20:18:24
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Copy all photos to disk.. :y

Phone him up and ask whats important because this is whats needed.. Fresh install..Crate of beer for you and him..
Every time my duaghters computer gets corrupted because of not listening..Fresh install...Lots of tears but next day she is over it.. ;D ;D

Funny you should say that......he gave me 200 ciggies for sorting it out.....but they've nearly all gone  :(

But it was a week ago he brought it round and im just getting round to looking at it  ::)
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Baron Von Spongebob on 29 July 2007, 20:26:26
If it was a week ago he is probably desperate to have it back now.. :y

Solution

Drink 5 cans od Stella..

Phone him up before opening the 6th can...Say yes..everything going ok at the moment, hang on while i open this can....Oops,,oh sh1t,,oh no the dreaded DF virus,(drunk finger virus)...Silence....Erm it will be ready in an hour ive pressed the wrong button its deleting everything... ;D

Come over and have a beer at least you will have a fresh install and everything works... ;D ;D :D
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 20:35:29
Quote
Quote
You not got an external HD to backup to, or failing that an old drive to install as a temp?
Think it would be a lot safer than moving virus laden stuff onto your systems.
As to the virus question, have you tried one of the online scanners, see if it can root out enough to let you install a proper av scanner and remove without a reinstall of windoze.

Yes, I'd be tempted to go to:

http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/consumer/housecall/housecall_launch.php


Then print out the report of the viruses. It IS possible, though time-consuming, to eradicate some viruses manually. The way I have done this in the past is to get the name of the virus from the scan then do a Google for it and find a manual remedy.

Worth a try, at any rate. :y

Just tried that, as you say worth a try......it wont let it download..... :( IE just keeps saying at the bottom of the window downloading 6.5.4.3 then starting again.....think a rebuild is the only option here.....so anyone know about the backup util?


Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 20:42:14
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If it was a week ago he is probably desperate to have it back now.. :y

Solution

Drink 5 cans od Stella..

Phone him up before opening the 6th can...Say yes..everything going ok at the moment, hang on while i open this can....Oops,,oh sh1t,,oh no the dreaded DF virus,(drunk finger virus)...Silence....Erm it will be ready in an hour ive pressed the wrong button its deleting everything... ;D

Come over and have a beer at least you will have a fresh install and everything works... ;D ;D :D

I am very tempted  ;D

Ive copied all the photos i can find.....bet theres more somewhere  :-/

Copied his 'my docs' folder as well....and starting to think....tough t*ts if theres anything more  ;D
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Baron Von Spongebob on 29 July 2007, 20:44:05
Go on..I dare you.. ;D :y

(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb35/omegacd/delete.jpg)
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 20:49:20
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Go on..I dare you.. ;D :y

Funny how decision making becomes easier with another glass of wine  ;D ;D
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 20:50:17
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Quote
Go on..I dare you.. ;D :y

Funny how decision making becomes easier with another glass of wine  ;D ;D

Tho i havent done it yet....... ;)
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: CaptainZok on 29 July 2007, 20:54:56
Have you tried a bootable AV disc? I know norton lets you boot from the cd to get round problems such as you've got dunno about the others though.
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 21:04:16
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Have you tried a bootable AV disc? I know norton lets you boot from the cd to get round problems such as you've got dunno about the others though.

Oh hang on....havent thought of that.....ive got one lying about somewhere  :y Will give it a go....
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 21:11:16
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Have you tried a bootable AV disc? I know norton lets you boot from the cd to get round problems such as you've got dunno about the others though.

Oh hang on....havent thought of that.....ive got one lying about somewhere  :y Will give it a go....

Well did try it.....no virus found.....but then the cd is a few years old so not really suprising  :(

When i loaded the same cd onto another pc earlier.....it installed and then did nearly 20M of downloads to update itself.....so guess the cd is too old to do a boot and clean from it  :(
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Baron Von Spongebob on 29 July 2007, 21:14:35
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Quote
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Have you tried a bootable AV disc? I know norton lets you boot from the cd to get round problems such as you've got dunno about the others though.

Oh hang on....havent thought of that.....ive got one lying about somewhere  :y Will give it a go....

Well did try it.....no virus found.....but then the cd is a few years old so not really suprising  :(

When i loaded the same cd onto another pc earlier.....it installed and then did nearly 20M of downloads to update itself.....so guess the cd is too old to do a boot and clean from it  :(

More wine needed and let your finger relax.. ;D

Problem is, If you get it up and running to some sort of fashion, you will spend the next 8 hours sorting out crossed links/Missing links etc..Is it worth it.... :-/
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: CaptainZok on 29 July 2007, 21:16:20
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Quote
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Have you tried a bootable AV disc? I know norton lets you boot from the cd to get round problems such as you've got dunno about the others though.

Oh hang on....havent thought of that.....ive got one lying about somewhere  :y Will give it a go....

Well did try it.....no virus found.....but then the cd is a few years old so not really suprising  :(

When i loaded the same cd onto another pc earlier.....it installed and then did nearly 20M of downloads to update itself.....so guess the cd is too old to do a boot and clean from it  :(
Bugger. >:(
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 July 2007, 21:34:34
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Quote
Quote
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Have you tried a bootable AV disc? I know norton lets you boot from the cd to get round problems such as you've got dunno about the others though.

Oh hang on....havent thought of that.....ive got one lying about somewhere  :y Will give it a go....

Well did try it.....no virus found.....but then the cd is a few years old so not really suprising  :(

When i loaded the same cd onto another pc earlier.....it installed and then did nearly 20M of downloads to update itself.....so guess the cd is too old to do a boot and clean from it  :(
Bugger. >:(

Cheers for the input guys... :y

Will sort it tomorrow or the next day  ;D

Funny how TB hasnt given input to this thread.....is he rushing about trying to sort out (add your own words here  ;D  ;D ;)
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Baron Von Spongebob on 29 July 2007, 21:43:11
Always willing to give sensible advice TD.. ;D ;D

Next time put a banana skin behind your left ear and wear an open toe sandal on your right foot before booting up computer...Things will work ok then.. :y

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: phil her up on 30 July 2007, 00:58:25
Have you tried System Restore? take it back to a previous working condition.
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 30 July 2007, 10:38:27
Put his HD in your PC as a slave drive and then run the virus checker against it.
Title: Re: XP question?
Post by: Dave-C on 30 July 2007, 20:31:41
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Copy all photos to disk.. :y

Phone him up and ask whats important because this is whats needed.. Fresh install..Crate of beer for you and him..
Every time my duaghters computer gets corrupted because of not listening..Fresh install...Lots of tears but next day she is over it.. ;D ;D

Funny you should say that......he gave me 200 ciggies for sorting it out.....but they've nearly all gone  :(

But it was a week ago he brought it round and im just getting round to looking at it  ::)

That's a lot of standing outside a pub ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D