Help I need to TOTALLY Clean my computer

Question

I have downloaded a virus or something that messing everything up. I need to completely clean my computer so I dont infect anyone else in the network. I will burn my files to a cd but everything else can go.   Please give me exact direction:smileyhappy:

Rapunzel · Answer

I would 'completely clean my computer' as a LAST resort. In addition, I do not believe that 'burning your files to a CD' is going to safeguard anything. Your files could be badly infected. Your obvious first choice should be to update your virus definitions and run a full system scan in safe mode. After that, you should run as many spyware removers that you can find. AdAware and SpyBot are often mentioned here in the forums, along with CWShredder and a few other things. After you have run your anti-virus, you could do a 'system cleanup' with some very good Fred Langa cleaning tools, easily found on the web, and with your own system tools. After you have performed most of that, if your system is still screwy, then go to the DellTalk Virus/spyware board and seek as much helpful assistance as is necessary until the masters of the virus universe confirm your need to 'completely clean your system' with a fdisk, reformat, reinstall. If that 'complete cleaning' goes awry, you will be a 'completely unhappy' camper. Rapunzel

Denny Denham · Answer

PeterFX, See this.

Denny Denham · Answer

windy19, The BIOS that is currently installed will be fine.

windy19 · Answer

I'm getting ready to do a clean install as well of my Dimension 4550.  This will be my first time doing anything like this so thanks Denny for that helpful link.  I'll be upgrading from Windows XP Home to Windows XP Professional.    Do I have to update my BIOS?  The PC is about 2 yrs old and came with Win XP Home.  If I don't have to mess with the BIOS, so much the better for this newbie!

windy19 · Answer

I installed Windows XP Pro on my Dimension 4550.  Everything went according to the instructions on Supersite...except it never scanned for a network or asked me if I wanted a typical config or custom.  (it skipped right over that screen shown)   Now under Device Manager, it shows yellow question marks in front of everything under 'Other Devices' - Ethernet Controller, Multimedia Audio Controller, PCI Input Device, and SM Bus Controller.   What's weird is on my laptop, I have no 'Other Devices' but I do have a 'Network Adapters' with different network adapters under it.   Not sure what to do at this point.  I put the Dell ResourceCD in but it said the network card Intel PRO/100 was detected.    Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I can't connect to the Net at all.

jwatt · Answer

windy19,

It sounds like you didn't reinstall the chipset drivers after completing the base XP Pro installation. Without them, devices integrated on the motherboard may not be recognized.

There should be a copy on the Drivers and Utilities CD. Here's a link to Dell's instructions for installing drivers and software after completing an XP install. Note that the chipset drivers are the first item listed.

Jim

jwatt · Answer

I'd like to put Dell Support icon and info back on my pc...how would I do that?

windy19,

You're welcome!

This Dell Support document (for the 4500) explains how to install Dell Support from the Drivers and Utilities CD.

Jim

windy19 · Answer

jimw,

You were right -- I needed to install every driver from the link you supplied. Even tho some of the components listed in the Dell ResourceCD already had checkmarks next to them indicating they were already there, they weren't REALLY installed until i reinstalled each one. I'm happy to say my PC is up & running on the net again...although it's still bare bones. Lots of work left to do. A clean install is NOT for the faint of heart (or stomach). There's no Pepto left in the house after this! Anyway, thanks jim.

I'd like to put Dell Support icon and info back on my pc...how would I do that?

Windows General

Help I need to TOTALLY Clean my computer

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