Many Errors/Windows Updates/Viruses

JRA · Sep-27-2005

Hi

Trying to help someone who has a DELL with XP.
He told me he rarely if ever "updated windows" with updates and has never used A/V software.

Not Good I know.

I looked at it and he has constant POP UPs from both IE and his AOL browser. Some not kid friendly, some leaving icons on his desktop. He uses AOL as his dial-up (yea dial up!) service.

I kept trying to "update" windows but it would always come back as unsuccessful (I don't have the # of the update it was trying to update here with me).

It also does not have activeX control installed so other programs I tried to run for some help would not run at all.
Could not figure out how to install activex.

I ran a java-enabled A/V checker (I think it was from Trend Micro?) and it came up with 444 trojans/viruses/ malwares. It was unable to "Proceed" to delete anything. I've seen one or two viruses/trojan alerts on rare occasion, but NEVER such a ridiuclous amount.

I then purchased McAfee Internet security for him. The disk will load and I was able to view all of it but it will NOT load the program ("Exception ocurred" appears with a close box).

I honestly do not know where to start. Unortunately I am not in the same city now, but would like to help him via phone.

Is there anything specific to do to get windows to update? To successfully run a A/V program?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Alan · Sep-28-2005

With that amount of problems and given the circumstances, I would suggest a clean install!

If at all possible, back up any vital data and then format the hard drive and start again. If this is the option you decide to take, after the clean install of windows, install the Antivirus program BEFORE attempting any updates or online registration of Windows.

To try to clean up the system with over 400 viruses would be close to impossible and I am guessing that if there was no AV then ther will be no Antispyware programs installed, it would be far too much work to try to clean the system.

If you need advice on how to proceed and/or which antispyware and optimizer programs we would suggest, just post back and we will be happy to help.

JRA · Sep-28-2005

Thanks for the response.

I told him to back up data already just in case.

I didn't understand the 444 malware findings (although saw them with my own eyes - mostly if not all listed as Trojans), yet when I ran Spybot it found just a few bots, and the McAfee AV (online - not the one I bought) found nothing. Confusing!

I think starting over is probably best myself, just to be safe

Questions:

Does he need a specific program like WipeClean?

What would be the first step after backing up things?

What disks does he need? Not sure if he has Dell emergency disks for restoring...

I have never had to reformat a HD (I have had an HP tech insist I click THAT icon and it erased all my data ARGH! but I still had Windows XP).

Unfort I am not there to do it for him so I'd have to explain it over the phone, so any specific steps (the antispy/optimizer you mention) would help.

Again, Thank you!

JR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

With that amount of problems and given the circumstances, I would suggest a clean install!

If at all possible, back up any vital data and then format the hard drive and start again. If this is the option you decide to take, after the clean install of windows, install the Antivirus program BEFORE attempting any updates or online registration of Windows.

To try to clean up the system with over 400 viruses would be close to impossible and I am guessing that if there was no AV then ther will be no Antispyware programs installed, it would be far too much work to try to clean the system.

If you need advice on how to proceed and/or which antispyware and optimizer programs we would suggest, just post back and we will be happy to help.

Alan · Sep-29-2005

The first thing you need to do is find the disks, be it an XP disk or a recovery disk. Both of the disks will format the hard drive before re-installing, so nothing to worry about there.
As I previously said, after re-installing, when asked skip past the online registration at the prompt.
Install an Antivirus program and allow it to download the latest definitions. It is normal for most antivirus programs to want to scan the PC after installation, let it.
When that is done, you need to install the service packs (depending on how new the XP or recovery disc is) and all the updates. This will on a modem, take some time but it should be done at this point. If you have one of the packages that allows free internet useage overnight it is proberly best to leave the PC on and let it do its work, if this is not possible, order a critical updates disk from Microsoft, they are free and will save time.

The software I recommend that you download, after all the hard work is done, is :

Spybot Search and Destroy
Microsoft Antispyware

TuneUp Utilities (free 30 day trial)

Use TuneUp Utilities to clear out the residue junk from the registry left behind from the re-install.

Once you (or your friend) gets to this point, post back and we will help you to optimize and speed up the system.

JRA · Sep-30-2005

I have to work on getting my brother to start the process and I hope he has all of his recovery disks. I already installed Spybot when I was there (It only found a small amount of spyware which really surprised me) I know with my old HP there were about a dozen+, in fact they had to mail them to me, they didn't come with the system - he has a Dell so not sure what he has in terms of recovery and system disks. He lives a few hundred miles away so it's going to be a little difficult for me to have him do things, but I will give it a go with your help!

Sill trying to convince him to get rid of dial up!

Thanks again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

The first thing you need to do is find the disks, be it an XP disk or a recovery disk. Both of the disks will format the hard drive before re-installing, so nothing to worry about there.
As I previously said, after re-installing, when asked skip past the online registration at the prompt.
Install an Antivirus program and allow it to download the latest definitions. It is normal for most antivirus programs to want to scan the PC after installation, let it.
When that is done, you need to install the service packs (depending on how new the XP or recovery disc is) and all the updates. This will on a modem, take some time but it should be done at this point. If you have one of the packages that allows free internet useage overnight it is proberly best to leave the PC on and let it do its work, if this is not possible, order a critical updates disk from Microsoft, they are free and will save time.

The software I recommend that you download, after all the hard work is done, is :

Spybot Search and Destroy
Microsoft Antispyware

TuneUp Utilities (free 30 day trial)

Use TuneUp Utilities to clear out the residue junk from the registry left behind from the re-install.

Once you (or your friend) gets to this point, post back and we will help you to optimize and speed up the system.

Alan · Oct-01-2005

Depending on how old the PC is, it should'nt be more than a couple of recovery discs and/or one XP disk.

JRA · Oct-04-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

Depending on how old the PC is, it should'nt be more than a couple of recovery discs and/or one XP disk.

I am waiting for him to FIND his recovery disks. Is it possible Dell doesn't include them with the computer? I know a couple years ago with my old HP I had to order them (for free) from HP...

Alan · Oct-05-2005

Yes its possible, it will do no harm to contact Dell.
You will need the model and serial number of the PC.