can i get a virus?

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Geek of Coastguard
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#204888 2-Apr-2009 12:46

If its having that many problems, personally Id backup and reinstall.

If you still want to try software solutions, then AdAware, Spybot are good.... try online scanning solutions as well such as TrendMicro housecall.

XPD / Gavin

LinkTree

Hello213

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Master Geek

#204913 2-Apr-2009 15:23

there not causing any problems. I just dont want any virus spyware worms trogans or any thing harmful on my other computer when they are both connected to the internet.

what about kaspersky?

can i reinstall windows if i dont have the cd?, cause its a prebuilt computer. plus I have no external hard drive.

xpd

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#204919 2-Apr-2009 15:43

Long as the non-infected computer is upto-date and running decent AV software (AVG, Kaspersky,Symantec, NOD32, Trend Micro or one of the millions out there) and not sharing every folder over the network, then you should be ok.

And generally no, if you dont have a recovery CD or Window disk, then you cant reinstall.
If its a branded system (Acer, HP etc) then it *might* have a recovery option on startup that will restore the computer to its original factory state - but this means you will lose anything saved, hence a backup is a wise move.

If you are seriously that worried about your non-infected PC getting infected by the other, then you need to get it cleaned properly.

XPD / Gavin

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xpd

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#204922 2-Apr-2009 15:45

If youve got malware on your PC, can almost guarantee its using your internet for various nasty tasks such as spamming or just bringing in more nasties to your PC.

XPD / Gavin

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d3Xt3r

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#204927 2-Apr-2009 16:10

Installing a service pack onto a malware filled computer which has never been updated and then running various antimalware programs to clean it out - is a very inefficient idea.
I highly recommend doing a format and a fresh install. If you want a free antivirus, Avira Antivir is really good - has a detection rate of 99.7% [1]. The only downside to Avira is that it's not *that* fast and has many false-positives. On the other hand, Norton AV 2009 is quite fast and has few false positives, with better detection rates than NOD32 and Kaspersky.

Firewall: Online Armor is the best paid firewall that you can get, while Comodo is the best freeware firewall. [2] You can use the firewall to keep a track of inbound and outbound connections.

However, the best way to keep your computers in check is to make sure that you don't use an administrator account for daily activities. On Vista, the default user account is a Limited User Account, however on XP, the default account has admin rights, so you have to change it to a LUA. (After setting up the rest of the comp, of course)

References:
[1] http://www.av-comparatives.org/comparativesreviews/main-tests
[2] http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php

Kaos36

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#204940 2-Apr-2009 17:17

Agree with what d3xt3r said.

Try Comodo Internet Security (AIO) its free no catch apart from just having to register. But you get a Good Antivirus/Firewall/Proactive security Free!

http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/index.html

I wouldn't reformat just yet download Comodo install on both PC's update the antivirus and run a full scan on both pc's. If your lucky your PC will be cleaned otherwise reformat might be an option.

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#204947 2-Apr-2009 17:39

Also if your infected system is part of a botnet then it could be doing lots of things - being part of a DDoS, sending out spam email, trying to serve infected updated code to other members of the botnet - who knows.

You shouldn't worry about protecting the other PC - you should worry about cleaning up your infected PC as well. If you don't mind running an infected PC then think on how much money this PC could pottential be costing you if it is being used for those things that use your Internet traffic.

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kiwiscoota

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#204948 2-Apr-2009 17:39

Kaos36:

Agree with what d3xt3r said.

Try Comodo Internet Security (AIO) its free no catch apart from just having to register. But you get a Good Antivirus/Firewall/Proactive security Free!

http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/index.html

I wouldn't reformat just yet download Comodo install on both PC's update the antivirus and run a full scan on both pc's. If your lucky your PC will be cleaned otherwise reformat might be an option.

I installed Comodo on several Windoze XP machines it caused repeated "blue screens of death", the problem disappeared as soon as I removed Comodo and installed an alternative firewall.

I currently use on my Windows XP boxes PC-Tools Firewall which is free, it seems ok and has not caused me any grief, it rates in fairly well in protection terms.

EDIT MOD RC: Please call companies by their correct name.

Kaos36

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#204954 2-Apr-2009 18:03

kiwiscoota:

I installed Comodo on several Windoze XP machines it caused repeated "blue screens of death", the problem disappeared as soon as I removed Comodo and installed an alternative firewall.

I currently use on my Windoze XP boxes PC-Tools Firewall which is free, it seems ok and has not caused me any grief, it rates in fairly well in protection terms.

Never had that problem with Comodo and ive been running their software since the early beta days. I have a dual install of XP and Vista on PC both with Commodo running. One other antivirus/security suite thats good but not free is Esets Nod32 hardly anything stands along side it apart from Comodo lol.

Worst Response To A Crisis:
From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"

Hello213

56 posts

Master Geek

#204973 2-Apr-2009 19:05

yea im going to see if I can do a fresh install. I just downloaded kaspersky and the computers so slow that I couldnt even move the screen with out it taking like a min to move. and its only got like 220mb of free ram(has 512mb, think some is shared with graphics.) even if i end all unnessairy processes.

Now how easy and how long will it take to restall windows xp? Its like a 5-6 year old HP computer so it came already installed with windows xp so I have no cd. Though when I first got the computer I made some cd's and there called HP PC recovery and one is recovery tools. Will that allow me to do a fresh install? How else can I check if the computer will reinstall xp with out the actaul cd.

Also I was thinking, when u reinstall like vista OEM you need a new cd key(and you have to ring up to get one), does this go for the same with this computer?

Does any one know what im talking about with the Recovery and recovery tools they first ask you to burn when u buy a prebuilt PC? Theres also a Partion D called HP_RECOVERY

Thanks

If this is the way wat back up device do you suggest i get? The Pcs only 40gb need around 6gb storage so hows this look http://aplus.co.nz/search.aspx?searchcat=&ssid=&kw=8GB+USB+&search=+Go+ good relieable brand? I dont want to go to put my files back and find it doesnt want to work.

Hello213

56 posts

Master Geek

#204989 2-Apr-2009 20:15

I found this under 'about my pc'

System recovery
HP Recovery
HP's recovery solution is designed to provide maximum flexibility to resolve potential problems as simply and easily as possible. HP's solution includes multiple options which are:
Application and Driver Recovery. A feature not offered on other companies' PCs, application and driver recovery allows you to recover select applications and/or drivers one at a time. This is faster and easier than a complete recovery if you are having problems with one specific program. It also provides a higher level of comfort because your personal data will not be affected.
Full System Recovery. 2 options are available should a full recovery be needed:
System Recovery. The System Recovery program, in this normal default mode of operation, recovers applications, drivers and the operating system to their factory-shipped condition. Accordingly, after System Recovery finishes, you need to re-install and re-configure any application that you installed yourself (including upgrades or revisions to the factory-shipped version of any application).
However, the System Recovery, in this normal default mode of operation, will not delete any DATA FILES that you created.
Destructive Recovery. This option first formats the hard disc drive erasing all files. The system is then recovered back to back to its original state. All data including files and applications loaded after you purchased your PC will be lost in the process.

HP Recovery CD Creator
HP Recovery CD Creator allows you to create your own set of recovery discs. Although this is not necessary (your HP Pavilion PC has the recovery files on a locked partition on the hard drive - see HP Recovery for more information), you may want to create a backup set for piece of mind or if you wish to delete the recovery files to regain space on your hard drive.

Which option should I do?

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Athlonite

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#205038 2-Apr-2009 23:18

yes having a recovery cd is all well and good but only if you created it before becoming infected otherwise you just stand the chance of reinstalling the infected files agian and again there are alot of viri/worms that love to do nothing else but infect recovery partitions and system restore files and are all very very network savy when it comes to self replication and remote infection take a look at the latest net nasty Conficker it's believed to have infected between 3 and 12 million PC's all on its own
1: Always keep your pc uptodate with MS's updates
2: Always use an uptodate antivirus product
3: Windows firewall + the modem/routers NAT/SPI firewall should be plenty
4: remeber if a site says FREE think again maybe its free becuase it also installs neferiuos software aswell (virus/worm or ad/spy/malware )
5: Emails from someone you don't know with attachments with .EXE usually are viri or worms DO NOT CLICK IT JUST DELETE IT

Hello213

56 posts

Master Geek

#205103 3-Apr-2009 12:29

na i made the cds like with in a week from getting it. The computer came with microsoft word. When i re install windows xp via the cds will it have mircosoft word? Cause when i installed vista home premium oem on the other computer it didnt come with microsoft word.

What I want to know will it install it again with all the software I got when i first ever turned on the pc.?

And what about needing another cd key?

Kaos36

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Ultimate Geek

#205134 3-Apr-2009 13:53

Hello213: na i made the cds like with in a week from getting it. The computer came with microsoft word. When i re install windows xp via the cds will it have mircosoft word? Cause when i installed vista home premium oem on the other computer it didnt come with microsoft word.

What I want to know will it install it again with all the software I got when i first ever turned on the pc.?

And what about needing another cd key?

Thats the problem with brand name PC's you dont always get every cd - they install the OS put on MS Word and a few other apps then sell it but keep the cds instead they give you a recovery cd just incase windows needs to be reinstalled. Does your PC case have a sticker on the back with the Windows key. My guess is you wont have MS Word on the recovery cd I could be wrong though only way to find out is do a recovery. Ohterwise If you paid for the PC that already came with MS Word then your entitled to have that installed when doing a recovery - go back to the place you brought the computer and tell them what your doing & that you need MS Word.

Ive only brought one brand name PC in my life and thats was when Windows 95 came out, I brought pc from Dick Smiths and they gave me all the cd's Windows95, Publisher and Word no recovery cd needed. Its been a while now as i always build my pcs never bother to buy one since windows95 but as far as i knw back then Dick Smiths were the only company where you got everything when purchasing a pc. Noel lemming that sold brand name pcs would give you a recovery disk but kept the rest.

Times have mostly likely changed now when you buy a brand name pc you probably get all cds?

Worst Response To A Crisis:
From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"

Hello213

56 posts

Master Geek

#205183 3-Apr-2009 16:56

its got a sticker on the front, showing the windows key. says 'designed for - microsoft windows xp.

What does this mean? to the post above.

Yea I found all the cds that come with it, and found microsoft word.

So what will I need to reisntall when I reformate the HD and install xp. Monitor driver, printer drivers, then the windows updates SP3 then just stuff like java adobe reader and stuff. Am i missing anything?

Will I need to configure the PC for a router? Or will my router work straight of from it?

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