Wiping Computer/Reinstalling Windows

Rizon · 05-23-2008, 11:15 AM

My wife downloaded a nasty virus earlier this week, which I've had a difficult time trying to remove (keeps coming back, installing more friends, preventing google searches, etc). I'm about to give up and just wipe the computer and start clean.

Anything I should know about, look for, or good guides on how this should be done right? Thanks.

lordscarlet · 05-23-2008, 11:49 AM

In before "Linux"

Antmeister · 05-23-2008, 12:17 PM

This is what you do for Windows XP:

Copy any images, documents and other assorted data to a external drive or just burn a CD/DVD.
Download the latest drivers to your video card, sound card, monitor, and other hardware attached to your computer and save them to an external storage device.
Save you bookmarks from your browser(s).
Write down all the info for your network settings and email and anything else that requires a password.
Get your Windows XP CD and place it into the PC. Restart the computer, but enter the BIOS so that it runs the CD-ROM first. Save the setting and it will boot from the Windows XP disk. Follow the directions on screen to wipe your hard drive.

If you are not on XP, I am sorry.

Rizon · 05-23-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antmeister

This is what you do for Windows XP:

Copy any images, documents and other assorted data to a external drive or just burn a CD/DVD.
Download the latest drivers to your video card, sound card, monitor, and other hardware attached to your computer and save them to an external storage device.
Save you bookmarks from your browser(s).
Write down all the info for your network settings and email and anything else that requires a password.
Get your Windows XP CD and place it into the PC. Restart the computer, but enter the BIOS so that it runs the CD-ROM first. Save the setting and it will boot from the Windows XP disk. Follow the directions on screen to wipe your hard drive.

If you are not on XP, I am sorry.

Thanks, I remembered the files, but forgot about the drivers and bookmarks. Luckily, I do have XP.

05-23-2008, 11:49 AM	#2
lordscarlet Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Washington, DC	In before "Linux" __________________ Sixteen Colors ANSI/ASCII Art Archive "...the better half of the Moores..." -cthomer5000

05-23-2008, 12:17 PM	#3
Antmeister Pro Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: At the corner of Beat Street and Electric Avenue	This is what you do for Windows XP: Copy any images, documents and other assorted data to a external drive or just burn a CD/DVD. Download the latest drivers to your video card, sound card, monitor, and other hardware attached to your computer and save them to an external storage device. Save you bookmarks from your browser(s). Write down all the info for your network settings and email and anything else that requires a password. Get your Windows XP CD and place it into the PC. Restart the computer, but enter the BIOS so that it runs the CD-ROM first. Save the setting and it will boot from the Windows XP disk. Follow the directions on screen to wipe your hard drive. If you are not on XP, I am sorry. __________________ "I'm ready to bury the hatchet, but don't fuck with me" - Schmidty "Box me once, shame on Skydog. Box me twice. Shame on me. Box me 3 times, just fucking ban my ass...." - stevew Last edited by Antmeister : 05-23-2008 at 12:25 PM. Reason: Forgot to mention the drivers.

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