Hi ladyblue777,

Did you read the guidelines for posting in the malware removal forum http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19251122.aspx   I'd suggest you stop starting new threads about your malware issues and go back to the original thread in the Malware Removal Forum  http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19320056.aspx  and be patient that a malware expert  will answer your post, and then you can add the additional information that you have posted in this thread and  your other  thread http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19320226.aspx  I don't know if there is a way of asking a moderator to possibly merge your additional two threads  in with your Malware Removal thread but that might be another avenue to explore.

Some reading When should I re-format? How should I reinstall?

sai-one

Good advice from sai-one.

You also might want to read this:

Malware Removal: When to Flatten and Reinstall Windows
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?p=161045#p161045

I have followed the link and found the article by  Brian Krebs on the Washington Post., and found completely over the top, to be ridiculous.  Spyware, malware or whatever, is never a valid reason to replace a system.  Maybe if you a super paranoid you should replace the disk since root kits could possible hide there, but that is the limit.  It so over the top.

I also found what Jesper M. Johansson, Ph.D., CISSP, MCSE, MCP+I said to be illogical.  I know that is a strong statement, especially since I only have a MS and he has a PHD, but still think it through.  Let us assume we have a clean system, it then gets infected with fifty nasties.  We run our checks and discover only forty nine, and then remove them successfully.  We now think our system is clean, which it is not.  There remains one undetectable nasty.  So to be safe were reformat the disk and do a fresh install, the system is now clear.  Now we get infected with only one nasty, a new copy of the undetectable one from before.  Since it is undetectable we do nothing, and we are now running with an infected PC>

Michael:

I do not follow your logic. Sorry if I misunderstand what you are saying.

But numerous people I respect seem to be saying the same thing: there does come a time when a system is so compromised that a reformat/reinstall of one's operating system is the only viable option.

Whether this applies to the OP, I cannot say.

There is some confusion which I probably started, sorry.  What I wanted to say there is never a reason to replace a system because of malware, i.e. put it in the trash.  THere are times when you should wipes the disk and start again.   Another ways to put it is I fully agaree whith your statement "

But numerous people I respect seem to be saying the same thing: there does come a time when a system is so compromised that a reformat/reinstall of one's operating system is the only viable option."

"Sorry 'bout that chief" signed /M. Smart/

there does come a time when a system is so compromised that a reformat/reinstall of one's operating system is the only viable option."