New Hard Drive ?

jojo
jojo Posts: 645
edited September 2007 in Technical Stuff and Help
So my hard drive is littered with all kinda of stuff and i got a nasty virus or Trojan right now that i can't seem to get rid of

my question is can i scrape it and just by a new HD for my system? and if i di do i need to buy windoiws or can i get one loaded with win or is it even worth it to go that route?
Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • NYbenben
    NYbenben Posts: 1,020
    i work for a major network security company... go to http://www.housecall.com and run the housecall program... it may be able to catch and clean the virus you have...

    cheaper than a new hard drive... and if it dosnt work for whatever reason... well.... you are still in the same boat.

    good luck.
    4/12/92, 8/11/92, 9/28/96, 9/11/98, 8/23/00, 8/24/00, 7/9/03, 4/30/03, 10/1/04, 10/3/05, 12/9/05, 5/12/06, 5/17/06, 5/28/06, 6/3/06, 12/9/06, EV LA 4/12-4/13/08, 6/12/08, 6,19,08, 6,20,08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 7/1/08

    and still jonesing for another show....
    "the waiting drove me mad..."
  • Trailer
    Trailer Posts: 1,431
    If you have a Dell then you can do a factory restore, which resets your computer to the original state in which you purchased it. That means that whatever you installed or downloaded after you bought it will be gone. Windows and all the factory installations will still be there however. Since this restore information is stored in a separate location, it is immune to viruses on the hard drive. I've done it a couple of times when my computer has gotten infected and it worked perfectly. I just saved some of my relevant information on an external hard drive and then reinstalled it after the factory restore.

    So if you have a Dell I'll tell you how to do it...
    Whoa, chill bro... you know you can't raise your voice like that when the lion's here.
  • jojo
    jojo Posts: 645
    Trailer wrote:
    If you have a Dell then you can do a factory restore, which resets your computer to the original state in which you purchased it. That means that whatever you installed or downloaded after you bought it will be gone. Windows and all the factory installations will still be there however. Since this restore information is stored in a separate location, it is immune to viruses on the hard drive. I've done it a couple of times when my computer has gotten infected and it worked perfectly. I just saved some of my relevant information on an external hard drive and then reinstalled it after the factory restore.

    So if you have a Dell I'll tell you how to do it...

    i do have a dell where do i find that

    my system is so sscrewed right now that i can't use system restore or regedit
    i've been runnnig several different removal programs but since i can'r shut of system restore they are hiding in there so i'm just removing the same ones over and over
    Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.
  • aNiMaL
    aNiMaL Posts: 7,117
    Trailer wrote:
    If you have a Dell then you can do a factory restore, which resets your computer to the original state in which you purchased it. That means that whatever you installed or downloaded after you bought it will be gone. Windows and all the factory installations will still be there however. Since this restore information is stored in a separate location, it is immune to viruses on the hard drive. I've done it a couple of times when my computer has gotten infected and it worked perfectly. I just saved some of my relevant information on an external hard drive and then reinstalled it after the factory restore.

    So if you have a Dell I'll tell you how to do it...
    Most store bought pre-built computers have this option. Not just Dell.
  • jojo
    jojo Posts: 645
    aNiMaL wrote:
    Most store bought pre-built computers have this option. Not just Dell.


    yes but since i can't get into sysytem restore i don't now how else to do it
    Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.
  • Trailer
    Trailer Posts: 1,431
    aNiMaL wrote:
    Most store bought pre-built computers have this option. Not just Dell.

    hehe I didn't know that:)
    Whoa, chill bro... you know you can't raise your voice like that when the lion's here.
  • Trailer
    Trailer Posts: 1,431
    jojo wrote:
    i do have a dell where do i find that

    my system is so sscrewed right now that i can't use system restore or regedit
    i've been runnnig several different removal programs but since i can'r shut of system restore they are hiding in there so i'm just removing the same ones over and over

    You have to power your computer up and then hit ctrl-f11 when startup screen appears. The one where the bar is moving across the screen and it says Dell.

    After that, a screen will appear that asks you if you want to perform a factory restore. Click it and then follow the instructions..

    Let me know if this works.
    Whoa, chill bro... you know you can't raise your voice like that when the lion's here.
  • jojo
    jojo Posts: 645
    Trailer wrote:
    You have to power your computer up and then hit ctrl-f11 when startup screen appears. The one where the bar is moving across the screen and it says Dell.

    After that, a screen will appear that asks you if you want to perform a factory restore. Click it and then follow the instructions..

    Let me know if this works.

    no it doesn't work i hate the damn thing now i'm ready to throw it out the window it barley works even in safe mode
    Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.
  • gfraser
    gfraser Posts: 686
    it might be ctrl and F10. when i had to do it to mine i used F10 but i had to hold control and hit F10 like 40 times. try that as stated before, from the start up screen.
    This post is © by gfraser
  • gfraser
    gfraser Posts: 686
    here lifted this from a message board and there is some useful info in here. i was right about the F10 but remember you might have to hit it a whole wack of times like i did. dont stop hitting it until it works.
    While the system begins to startup press the CTRL and F10 (or F11) key simultaneously. That will take you back to the factory settings. Back up your files before you do this as it will wipe the slate clean.

    Edit: Reread your question. Do you want to do a system restore or reset your system to the default settings?

    As Alan_B mentioned they are two totally different items.

    With system restore you will not lose any of your files. You can go back 90 days. This is if you know when the problem started occuring. Steven_B has given the directions for a system restore. After the system restore you may have to reinstall certain programs.

    If you want to completely erase your system and reset it to the factory settings then do what I suggested. When the system first boots up (the BIOS screen) press CTRL+F10 and it will walk you through it. You will lose all your documents and any other items you installed. Backup before you do this.
    This post is © by gfraser
  • jojo
    jojo Posts: 645
    i'll try thanks
    Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.
  • gfraser
    gfraser Posts: 686
    jojo wrote:
    i'll try thanks

    let us know if it worked for you.
    This post is © by gfraser
  • jojo
    jojo Posts: 645
    gfraser wrote:
    let us know if it worked for you.


    NO LUCK


    UGH
    Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.
  • glb
    glb Posts: 356
    I don't have any advice on how to clean it up. But, if you have an old hard drive sitting around, you can put it in as a slave drive.... copy over what you want to keep.... reformat your main hard drive and reinstall windows. Do you not have a windows cd that came with your computer originally?

    That's what I do for a thorough hard drive clean anyways.
    "I've got things to do and things to say in my own way..."
  • gfraser
    gfraser Posts: 686
    jojo wrote:
    NO LUCK


    UGH

    sorry dude.
    This post is © by gfraser
  • gfraser
    gfraser Posts: 686
    glb wrote:
    I don't have any advice on how to clean it up. But, if you have an old hard drive sitting around, you can put it in as a slave drive.... copy over what you want to keep.... reformat your main hard drive and reinstall windows. Do you not have a windows cd that came with your computer originally?

    That's what I do for a thorough hard drive clean anyways.

    you dont get discs any more with almost all newer pcs that have windows pre installed. you get a "system restore drive". but in his case it looks like his system restore is corrupt since he cant access it.
    This post is © by gfraser
  • jojo
    jojo Posts: 645
    gfraser wrote:
    you dont get discs any more with almost all newer pcs that have windows pre installed. you get a "system restore drive". but in his case it looks like his system restore is corrupt since he cant access it.


    yes all true except i am a HER not a him

    ugh this this is pissing me off ctrl +F10 gives me safe mode as does F8 ctrl+F11 does nothing
    Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.
  • gfraser
    gfraser Posts: 686
    jojo wrote:
    yes all true except i am a HER not a him

    sorry about that :)
    jojo wrote:
    ugh this this is pissing me off ctrl +F10 gives me safe mode as does F8 ctrl+F11 does nothing

    and your doing it right from the very beginning right? as soon as you turn it on start hitting away. im sure you were so that is probably a pointless suggestion.
    This post is © by gfraser
  • jojo
    jojo Posts: 645
    gfraser wrote:
    sorry about that :)



    and your doing it right from the very beginning right? as soon as you turn it on start hitting away. im sure you were so that is probably a pointless suggestion.


    yes from the very very begining
    Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.
  • nuffingman
    nuffingman Posts: 3,014
    We have a Dell at home and had the same problem. I went on to the Dell site and sent a question to the Technical Support asking how to make a "boot" disk and how to reformat the hard drive. They sent back a lengthy reply which I was able to follow. Reformatted the hard drive and all bugs gorn and the PC ran as sweet as a PC can (which is about half as good as a Mac!) Just make sure you back up anything useful.

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