Thread: ? about Windows XP Please

I found I had a virus. Windows XP has a backup which can store viruses. I figured out how to disable system restore, but could never find my backup files to delete it there. Now, my pc is worse than ever. I can't safe boot, anything. It takes over and sends me to the blue screen.

I've decided to reformat now. My real question is this, windows xp reformat says it may not remove all data. It gave a link to assure all data is removed. I'm still not convinced. When I reformat windows XP and lose everything I've saved over the last 2 years UNSAVED, am I going to continue to combat this worm??? W32/Imbiat.worm. Should I send it to the shop where they don't know much more than I???

*cough*cough* I would start deleting things like crazy if it were my pc. Doesn't matter if I don't know what it is..Even if I'm deleting important stuff...Had to do this..
I deleted some important stuff & o my...major trouble, but windows XP corrected the error on it's own...(be prepared for a few days of trouble though)

I LOVE XP!

I've had this crap a week, how much more to look forward too?? Geez!! I've been online 10 years and this is my first trouble. I have 3 pcs and a laptop and I'm considering getting rid of all of it. People have plenty of ways to get my identity without me handing it over

What does deleting accomplish? Not being smart, Last time I did this, I got in even more trouble. Windows XP is supposed to reformat by putting the disk in, I just want to know if my virus is still going to be in my backup??

I wasn't given a disk to reformat with (didn't come with my PC) ..and was told by customer service, no disk should be needed. (ya know I'm desperate when I call them!!)

deleting started my problems actually. a virus..I haven't had one of those.

and, since I can't reformat, I can't help you.
But, I do know reformatting will take off everything off your pc, it'll take it back to day 1 of its life...so it should get rid of your virus. hth

Hi Flute, thanks! I have learned that the windows xp disk you should have gotten (maybe only with dell???) is the 'reformat' disk. My understanding is that the windows xp disk is used to reformat period. Of course, M Y U N D E R S T A N D I N G.....I was told to put it in and follow instructions pretty much. I have hand written the instructions but have yet to try them. Maybe I'll be posting that experience next.

Hippie-thank you, those were the exact same instructions given at mcaffee. However, still not much help. There is still that note about xp-disable system restore, etc. I never figured out how to remove the virus from my back up, now have trouble worse than ever.

I had gotten the pc to boot in safe and config last working config, but not now. I was able to get that long enough to install mcafee virus scan which said it cleaned the virus. But, as the warning said, I did not remove it from my backup. No matter how I try to start this pc now, I get a blue screen error, always a different message. Sometimes now, it even reboots itself.

I just hope no one has excess to my info until I fix it. I only have one place I'm worried about and if they get that info, they ruin at least 3 generations. Not that I can't live like I have been (hardly paying bills, not paying some), but it would be great to see the kids have something to start with, OUR KIDS.

I think I'm going for the reformat. Hopefully it will go ok. On dial up, I can expect 2 weeks of upgrades, but my pc should run great. I just hate that $10 amazon gc I'm giving up.........yep, stored on that drive, gosh-darn-it. Oh, is that ok to say???

If I were you I wouldn't just go deleting stuff unless you really know what you're doing. You can end up deleting drivers and other things that you need and end up in a bigger mess than you're already in. I have XP and it won't always straighten itself out.

Originally Posted by Patchouli

If I were you I wouldn't just go deleting stuff unless you really know what you're doing. You can end up deleting drivers and other things that you need and end up in a bigger mess than you're already in. I have XP and it won't always straighten itself out.

I guess i got lucky. It's all mike's fault! HONEST!! and that's no lie