Help with computer viruses? Hard drives and operating systems? Please help!?

Question

Hey there, so I'm kinda a noob when it comes to computers and stuff, so I wanna apologise in advance for, you know, trying to over explain something or for explaining something wrong or looking like an idiot by saying something daft or anything like that. I was wondering if someone could help explain to me what I would have to do in order to remove a trojan virus? Actually, I already know the basics of what to do, so really my question should be more around 'how do you split your computer into 2 sections (hard drives?) to be able to move everything from one side of the hard drive to the other (from A to B), then wiping out the one half of the hard drive (A), then moving everything from the other half of the hard drive to the the first side (from B to A, A being the empty hard drive), then wiping out the other side (B), then being able to reinstall the operating system and remove any viruses?' Does.. that make sense? :/
Thanks a bunch in advance if you answered! You don't understand how much I appreciate it! :]

Answer 1

You can run antivirus and antispyware programs, but the sad fact is if you have found one virus on your computer, you probably have several. Cleaning the computer now requires you to follow these steps, because modern viruses and spyware entrench themselves in files that your computer needs in order to run:



1. Virus-check your data files (not application files-- you have installer CDs for those).

2. Back up the data files, getting them off your hard drive.

3. Get your original operating system CDs that came with your computer.

4. Boot your computer from the operating system CD.

5. Select the option that erases your hard drive and then reinstall your system software.

6. Turn on your software firewall that came with your operating system.

7. Reconnect to the internet, and download *all* Windows updates, no matter how long it takes.

8. Reinstall your application software, and update the applications as much as you can.

9. Reinstall your data files.

10. Create a limited user account on your system that does *not* have administrator access, and web surf only from this account.



Yes, this is a pain in the butt. No, there is no other way. No, antivirus and antispyware programs cannot fix this problem on its own.



So, what do you do in the future?



1. Never click on links you find in an e-mail.

2. Never open an e-mail attachment, ever.

3. Only download files from a reputable website that you know is on the up-and-up.

4. Never use bit-torrent and other file-sharing programs.

5. Never use an unsolicited drive-checking site.

6. Turn off all java and java scripting by default, and only enable java and java scripting for sites that you know you can trust.

7. Never read an unsolicited e-mail, and delete spam immediately. It is possible to be hacked by reading an e-mail alone.



Please adhere to the 'dont's' I provided above, because you will have to repeat the cleaning steps that I listed first *every time you get infected.* Anti-spyware and anti-virus programs are good to have, but they are a second line of defense. The best way to protect your system is you, and changing your behavior.



For technicians help.. Go Here.. http://www.iyogi.net/virus-removal.html



Good luck!

Olivia

Answer 2

FIRST OFF, DONT FEEL STUPID- WE ALL HAVE BEEN WHERE U ARE NOW.

NOW! FOLLOW THESE STEPS AND U WILL HAVE A CLEAN, VIRUS FREE COMPUTER IN NO TIME :)



Let me start of by saying that when it comes to infected computers( viruses AND/OR malware) reinstalling windows, or formatting, should be LAST RESORT. And only if your computer does NOT turn on NOT EVEN in safe mode. There are way to many options, to just give up so easy. Follow these steps:



Step #1. Restart, and before the computer logo comes on( dell, hp, or whatever ur computer is) PRESS F 8 A COUPLE OF TIMES-- a black screen with white lettering will appear. with ur u and down arrows, select SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING)



Step #2. Download Malware-bytes from: http://www.malwarebytes.org/ ( the free one) Perform quick scan. When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.

Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.



Step# 3 Download AVAST from http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html

On the lest side, click DOWNLOAD NOW. Run AVAST, check found errors and remove them



Step# 4. Download CCleaner from:

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner --Install it, and run it. CCleaner is one of the best programs when it comes to freeing up space on your computer.



You can also go here for even more info: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/



Do not download more then necessary. One of the biggest myths and mistakes made by people in general, is thinking that the more anti virus programs you have installed on your computer the better it is.THAT IS A MISTAKE AND A MYTH. The reason for that is because anti virus programs counteract and overwrite each other, thus errors in removing viruses. One ativirus an one anti malware, is more then enough.



Yes, malware-bytes, it is not only for malware/spyware, BUT ALSO for viruses.



I am a CERTIFIED IT TECH, with A+, Windows 7, and MCSE certifications. Security is my forte

Answer 3

Step 1

As soon as you suspect that your computer has a virus, remove your computer from any networks it might be on, as well as from the Internet, so that you don't inadvertently spread the bug to others. Unplug your network cable if you have to.

Step 2

If you have virus-scanning (anti-virus) software installed, run it.

Step 3

If you don't have anti-virus software, you'll need to obtain some. If you can't get it from a network administrator or download it from an uninfected computer, you can mail-order it from a retailer.

Step 4

Start your computer (still not connected to a network) and follow the instructions that came with the anti-virus software.

Step 5

Keep running the virus-scanning software until your computer comes up clean.

Step 6

Reconnect your computer to the Internet and check with the anti-virus software's publisher to make sure you have the latest updates. If not, download them now.

Step 7

After updating the anti-virus software, run it again until your computer comes up clean.

Answer 4

If you have the Windows XP disk, then just insert the disk and reboot. The PC should then boot from the Win XP Disk. If it doesn't, reboot and press the Delete key to go into the BIOS. There you look for the Boot priority and make sure the CD Rom is 1st in line. Then you save and reboot. You will then be asked to press any key to Boot from CDRom, you press a key! This will take you into the Windows setup. There you can read and follow the instructions. You can delete the current partition and recreate one and format it. Its not that hard. Just make sure you have the drivers for you motherboard. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

If you have anti-virus software installed, it should be able to remove the virus. If you want to do a fresh install, just backup your data and perform the install. Moving things back and forth from partition to partition is not the best practice in this situation.

Answer 6

Your plan will not work, do not reformat until nothing ekse has worked.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO USE THE INTERNET OR RUN PROGRAMS START IN SAFE MODE.



Download. Rkill, malwarebytes and superantispyware (update, then run a quick scan with mbam and SAS)

RUN IN THIS ORDER.

Rkill http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic308364.html

Malwarebytes http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol

Superantispyware http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol

Lastly do a scan with hitman pro. http://download.cnet.com/Hitman-Pro-3/3000-2239_4-10895604.html (scans with 6 av’s nod, prevx, avast, bit defender, ikarus and emsisoft)

Still having problems?

Then try http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Kaspersky-Virus-Removal-Tool.shtml



Can’t install or run Malwarebytes

Rename the mbam-setup.exe if installation fails.

Rename the mbam.exe if the program installs but does not run.

Start in SAFE-MODE with Networking if program fails to install run or update.(Hit F8 key repeatedly when computer is starting after a reboot)

Answer 7

http://freecomputerrepairguide.com/

and search trojan horse