So many problems with my pc... help please

[HERB]ED]

Ok so anyways I have had to run avg virus scanner and some spy ware thing so many times. Like I even get so theres nothing and guess what?!?! For no reason when my system is idle it likes to constantly go between 2 and 50% cpu usage. So anyways how the hell do you format c drive on windows xp? Because I can't stand this anymore, all I wanna do is play quake on this computer and if I do it as my computer is now it will be so rediculiously choppy for no reason. I can even get it down to 19 process' and still its thinking like crazy and I don't know why.

[Baker]

Ok, Herbed.

Try this:

http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-...ml?tag=lst-0-1

It is an excellent product that removes both viruses and spyware. That being said, once you get hit, typically the "damage is done" and even removing the stuff won't fix it. This is a free evaluation of the full version, it works for 15 days. Maybe you are lucky and you just have a worm (a program that spreads itself thru ports from computer to computer, using your computer as a base to scan other IP addresses).

You will probably have to format your hard drive. If you are using an OEM computer like a Dell or HP, there is a Quick Restore CD that basically formats everything back to the state when you purchased it. If you made it yourself, well -- you don't have that.

The important thing is to not get this problem again.

You were using Internet Explorer right? Stop using that, get FireFox. When IE has exploits they are severe because IE is basically part of the operating system and an IE exploit can therefore do pretty much anything to your computer.

There are a lot of users that stick with IE only switch to FireFox after learning the hard way after a few hard drive formats.

I hope that helped you out and that don't have to format your hard drive. It sucks having computer problems.

If you format your hard drive, run Window Update immediately because when you reinstall Windows you are losing 2 years of vulnerability patches.

[HERB]ED]

Yeah I system restored to when I got the virus and then took it out immediately. I also got this computer off my aunt for free. Its ok its like 2g pent 4. Anyways I just cant get it to where I like it for like gaming stuff. Dell yeah. I am downloading that program right now. Thanks homie. But if I do need to format how would I do it?

[Jackhammer]

Do you know what spyware/virus you have? some programs are better than others at identifying specific ones.

Virtumonde is a nasty spyware going round at the moment which causes pop ups and eats cpu cycles, do you get advertisements for antivirus software poping up?

Another thing dont bother with avg its not a patch on what it used to be.

try this http://www.ewido.net/en/download/ make sure you get the updates.

Hope this helps

[foq]

If you have a disc of your os and enter it, you should see a splash screen. Go through some stuff and eventually you'll come to a reformat screen. It will kill everything on your hard drive and reinstall windows. Be sure to have chipset drivers, sound drivers, video card drivers, drivere for this, drivers for that, ready.

[foq]

It could also be an unwanted exe/program raping your computer's resources. Go to start > run > msconfig > startup and look around.

[foq]

Another thing you could so is ctrl + alt + delete, task manager, processes
and look to see which process is making your cpu useage jump to teh 50%.

[RocketGuy]

this is what i do when i want to reformat and reinstall:

1. dig around to find the windows xp install disc. make sure i have all needed drivers on another partition or CD.
2. reboot with the install disk
3. when asked press R to run recovery console
4. choose the current installation of winxp and type its administrator password
5. at the recovery console type format C: /fs:NTFS and press enter. tell him you're sure you want to reformat by typing y and pressing enter.
6. when the format is completed type exit to reboot
7. boot into winxp cd, press enter to install a fresh copy of windows.
8. follow the installer instructions to install windows.
9. when windows is installed install drivers in this order:
-1. motherboard stuff
-2. graphics card
-3. everything else
10. install programs, antivirus and firewall
11. go to www.windowsupdate.com and get all critical and some non-critical updates.
12. done, play quake

EDIT: almost forgot, make sure you know your winxp product key and that it is legal.

DISCLAIMER: if you do something wrong you can lose data and/or cook some hardware

[foq]

You mean...
12. DEFRAGMENT YOUR HARD DRIVE
13. Install Quake
14. Play Quake
Right?

[RocketGuy]

You mean...
12. DEFRAGMENT YOUR HARD DRIVE
13. Install Quake
14. Play Quake
Right?

nope, my defragger is automatic and my quake is in D:\quake\quake1

[golden_boy]

The short term solution would be to reinstall Windows. Only way to really ensure there are no viruses left.

Don't use Outlook or IE, as those are the primary targets for viruses.

Don't open email attachments. Don't click on any links in popup windows when browsing. Don't go to dubious internet sites. Don't download porn or warez.

What's using system resources in the background is probably unwanted processes (programs) running. Look at your task manager or have someone else do it, who knows what he's doing.

Anyway, when your machine has been compromised, your only option is reinstalling, otherwise you wouldn't be able to trust it anymore.

Go to a port-scanner site like Sygate.

Those scan your machine (well, your IP) for trojans and a number of other things.

The trojan test takes a while, but it's worth it. Just in case you're curious what it is you have on your machine.

Whatever, you'll probably have to reinstall though.

A little advertisement: Quake and a number of other well-known FPS also run on Linux, which happens to be practically a virus-and spyware-free zone. (It's free, too.)

[Magn3tar]

My solution..

1. Grab your car keys
2. Go to your local computer parts place or if unavailable go to Best Buy
3. With the old hard drive, take out 2 of the four prongs and power on computer, WATCH THE MOTHER FUCKER BURN!!!!
4. Install new hard drive with needed OS/Files, not including any virus scan/firewall/spyware remover programs...disable your Windows firewall/virus scan.
5. This is the hard part, you have your computer up and running....takes two seconds and before you type in that favorite porn URL, type in www.mozilla.com and download the web browser, use that to look at your pornography.

[Net-Tyme]

I've never had a problem with IE on my machine. Of course.. cough. .I DON"T look at porn. I do window shop though. ;� The best thing maybe to reformat at this point BUT.. there are programs that tell you "what" started up with your machine. Would I suggest it for everyone? No because if you delete the wrong thing your system would be hosed. I found the xp version of Processes to be to geeky. I needed a color me stupid program. ;� HiJackthis is also a good program but again.. not for the meek and Ask before you delete. Both programs are free.

This is the program I use to see what is added when I d/l a new program.

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

This is a good description of that same program
http://www.jsifaq.com/subF/TIP2600/rh2620.htm

This program gives you a great idea of what that file is attached to and from there you can decide if it should startup. Again.... some files MUST start up and if you remove them instead of the blue screen of death you will be looking at a black one.

IE is fine to use. But with any program including FireFox you need to CYA! Having a router has it's benefits, having a firewall on the individual machine, using programs that STOP popups,spyware/malware/virus and always double check those with one of the free online testing sites. Oh.. and if your really a virgin with computers here is a great site to spend an hour or two.
http://www.komando.com/ and yes she has downloads to protect your system from the get-go and help you with your reformat.

Ending.. back up your drivers and word/excel type files. Make sure you have the original copies of software that you want to reinstall. Make sure you have the restore CD that came with your computer.. Cross your fingers and reformat. If your really not sure about what you are doing.. Get a friend who is or take it to the nearest Best Buy Geeky type place and pay to have it done (I have computer medics by me). In the long run it's worth it. Consider it your payment on the free computer from the Aunt .

[golden_boy]

Yeah. It can't be stressed enough. ALWAYS MAKE BACKUPS.

The easiest backup is just copying your important files to a USB stick.

The best is to have backup images of your whole system, ideally a newly-installed system that you can just copy back to HD, plus a regular backup of important files.

Of course, you already know that you should not log in as administrator, but create a normal user account and use that. You should under no circumstances connect to the Web while you have admin privileges. Doing that ensures that any malware you download and run (wihout knowing it) has the same privileges, i.e. admin rights. A program that runs with admin privileges can do anything.