some help with a costumers computer

[raff]

sup guys.. this is the problema, i have this friend of mine which computer is so full of crap( spyware, porn stuff, hijacked ie, etc, etc.....) and i thing she got a virus cuz each time i try to get in to the registry , it just disappear like pufff, fasst... well what i was thinking of is to load a cd with some stuff like, hijackthis and lavasoft with all update, to get rid of the spyware problem , but , what about the virus?? , internet is dead ( i guess everyone expected that) i cant do it online....
on the other hand she told me i could format the HD and install xp (she has 2k now) .
should i.. format??
any way to save 2k intallation??
Thankss

[bailey]

under thoes cercimstances I would do a format myself if for no other reason than to be able to do a clean install and start over.
I am sure that it will save you a lot of grief and time.
it would be the fastest way to solve the problem when it has so much undesireable infestation.

I don't normally recommend a format unless under extream conditions and I feel that your instance fill that bill.
good luck.

[bigandy]

Well, if it's that bad, you may not want to save the installation. And it sounds like a clean install may just be the best way to go.

If you try to clean it:

As far as the virus(es), go to Grisoft's page and download AVG. And also download Spybot.

Since you said you can't access the internet from that PC, you may have to download these on your PC, and burn them to a disc, then load the installers onto her computer, and install and run them there.

If you begin to clean the stuff out, and realize that it's really just a lost cause, and there is nothing that she wouldn't mind losing on the PC, just reformat, and reinstall. Or if there are important files, burn them to a disc, and put them on the PC after the clean install. Just make sure to scan them to make sure they aren't infected.

[thorlo6]

I agree with bigandy. Late last year I had a similar problem. The worst thing was that I had McAfee AV Online and McAfee
Firewall Plus, and I still got a bad virus problem. wound up having to reformat and reinstall. If you don't like AVG AV, you can go to www.avast.com and get their AV program. It works real well. I know, cause I used to help with AV protection. Any way, good luck! thorlo6

[raff]

well i think im going to format and reinstall windows , its just to much , my computer boots in almost no time , like 15 something seconds, her's is a dell and not so outdated and i can keep waiting for 1 and a half minutes and is still at the middle of the loading tab... bigandy you just remind me to do something very important, to scan the archives she wants to keep, she has some pictures and i was thinking on putting them on a floppy and scan it with grisoft avg.. thanks guys this is due for today at 3 pm New york time so, i ll tell u how it went.... Thanks

[raff]

2 though ... what about this...
1- load antivirus and spybot on her computer and i get rid of lets say pretty much of the problem..
2- do a recovery of the 2k installation with the retail cd you know..
3...what a quandary.. i guess that will doit .. if not ill stick with my last post .. FOORMAAT... UGH, i dont like that.

[raff]

2 though ... what about this...
1- load antivirus and spybot on her computer and i get rid of lets say pretty much of the problem..
2- do a recovery of the 2k installation with the retail cd you know..
3...what a quandary.. i guess that will doit .. if not ill stick with my last post .. FOORMAAT... UGH, i dont like that.