Antispyspider - How do I get rid of it?

Thanks for the reply. It was an off the shelf machine that we bought about 18 months ago. Given this virus/malware problem that I have, will Recovery be as likely to get rid of the offence as Reformatting? Nonetheless, I think I need to learn (or just gain confidence in) how to reformat a hard drive. I've consumed many hours (about 8) trying to solve the problem that exists by (apparently) tickling it with bits of software. I'm hoping that the sledgehammer of reformatting might do the trick - and may be a quicker solution in future. Thanks again.
 
If your really that intimidated by the possibility of re-format/install of windows and all the drivers for the machine.. you could always try a local PC shop or god forbid the 'Purple Shirts' (Mod's please remove if against the rules)...

For about £40ish most of these places will re-build your PC for you and test it to a satisfactory state so you just need to plug it in when you get home!!...

Its another option!..

Or failing that!... speak the an IT monkey at your (or a loved ones) place of work!.. they might do it for a few quid less!!... (I do stress the MIGHT!!)

Sim :)
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm not so much intimidated by the prospect of reformatting, it's just something I've not done before, but would like to know how to do it. A currently sick computer seems like a reasonable opportunity. I just want to make sure I do it right and as neatly as I can. Thanks again.
 
The way I do it is:

Make a List of what is currently on the computer (hardware and software) and make sure I have all the relevant discs for the Drivers/Installation of these...

Back-up all: Documents, Photos, Music, Email's, Browser Favorites (I use MozBack for Firefox!) and put this in a safe place!!..

Unplug all external items that don't need to be seen during the install (Printers, External Drives etc...)

Pop the XP CD into the Drive and Re-Boot..

Chose the 'Full Format' not the 'Low level' one!..

follow all the on-screen prompts for the install. All the relevant hardware will be installed if Windows has drivers for it (HD, CD/DVD etc...)

once into Windows and you've Authorised it (either over modem or Phone), install the Motherboard drivers (just work down the list on the disc), then work through all the other peices of hardware (Printer, external drives etc..). You may need to re-boot quite a number of times!..

If you use a Router to connect to t'interweb it will remember the config for you!.. you only need to re-connect it to the network port - NO DRIVERS NEEDED (windows would have already installed the Network Card for you!!).

Then spend the next day (well a few hours) installing all your Hardware/software (don't forget a decent virus scanner!!) and customising you'r PC back to how you had it before (hopefully without the virus/malware that caused the problem!)..

Let Windows Update do its stuff also!.. and do Re-boot when ever prompted (unless you halfway through doing summut else!!)

Then restore all your backed up files...

Last time I did it it took me about 4 hours (total) to get it back to how I like it!!...

Good luck and have fun Tonight!!!
 
Brilliant! And thank you! With such an evening ahead of me, this must be the first day I've not looked forward to the end of work!
 
judder said:
Thanks very much, that's very helpful in planning my Friday night of joy! Just one more point about my internet connection; I don't think my question was particularly well structured. What I meant was, will the computer lose its knowledge of its wireless transmitter/receiver and/or its knowledge of its hard connection? Whatever it is that the ethernet cable from the router plugs into in the computer, will it forget it has it?
Click to expand...
It will lose "knowledge" of the wireless stuff and you'd need to write the settings down somewhere.

The ethernet stuff won't matter as all you do is plug the cable into the PC. :)
 
judder said:
Thanks for the reply. It was an off the shelf machine that we bought about 18 months ago. Given this virus/malware problem that I have, will Recovery be as likely to get rid of the offence as Reformatting? Nonetheless, I think I need to learn (or just gain confidence in) how to reformat a hard drive. I've consumed many hours (about 8) trying to solve the problem that exists by (apparently) tickling it with bits of software. I'm hoping that the sledgehammer of reformatting might do the trick - and may be a quicker solution in future. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

As your system is fairly old (18 months+) it would be preferable to obtain updated drivers for each of the main components, if you know the manufacture/model of each. Instead of using the original drivers CD's that came with the system.

If it's not obivious what brand and model of components you have, it's won't matter. But using newer optimised drivers might provide a small performance increase.

Might have to open the case to find make/model details off the circuit boards.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom