Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Computers and Peripherals : Tools to clean a Infected pc

[redcell1]

okay so my family members have some how elected me to clean a relative's pc and I must admit its just awfull. It takes 15 minutes to load and once you login wow...... I could go get something to eat/check my email (on my laptop)/ and Play a match on cs and it finally loads up.

For my own protection I just use antivir/comodo firewall <--- and I know what to dl and what not to lol

So Im asking every one else who is more knowledgeable then me on what software should I use ?

[bear]

First thing I usually load is HijackThis. With that you can see what's loading at startup, pick out what's probably bad and repair it. When you visit that site, poke around some, as he has links to other useful tools as well.

Can't read the log to tell what's bad? Many sites offer help with that, and many members here have enough knowledge to assist if you need it.

[grandad]

Run the Kaspersky Virus Scanner Here


or download the trial version to clean your machine and keep it clean (small subscription - big value).

[Rich]

Get CCLeaner

Run the junk removal (cleaner) and registry fix. This will clean up a lot of the junk and correct any errors that could be causing it to run slow.

After that, Start > Run > msconfig
Click the Startup tab.

Uncheck everything, then re-check just the bare minimum you want to start when loading windows. Obviously use common sense when reading the tasks and if something looks vital to the system, keep it on start up. With that being said, there is just about NOTHING that should be vital to your system that must startup with windows and can't start itself when you load the program as it's needed.

Let us know how you make out.

[SysAdminMan]

Personally, if a machine's that bad I'd backup any data, wipe it and start again. You're going to spend so much time trying to clean it up that'll probably work out quicker anyway.

Spyware/viruses are so embedded in the OS these days that sometimes you just *can't* remove them anyway.

Matt

[Orien]

Originally Posted by bucasia

Personally, if a machine's that bad I'd backup any data, wipe it and start again. You're going to spend so much time trying to clean it up that'll probably work out quicker anyway.

Spyware/viruses are so embedded in the OS these days that sometimes you just *can't* remove them anyway.

Matt

Completely agreed.

[ebay-nut]

As Rich stated CCleaner may help, but in most cases the latter is right, just reformat and reinstall windows and the updates. And any other needed software.

[Rageki-John]

Originally Posted by Rich

Get CCLeaner

Run the junk removal (cleaner) and registry fix. This will clean up a lot of the junk and correct any errors that could be causing it to run slow.

After that, Start > Run > msconfig
Click the Startup tab.

Uncheck everything, then re-check just the bare minimum you want to start when loading windows. Obviously use common sense when reading the tasks and if something looks vital to the system, keep it on start up. With that being said, there is just about NOTHING that should be vital to your system that must startup with windows and can't start itself when you load the program as it's needed.

Let us know how you make out.

Yeah, running CCleaner helps a lot too. I would run a deep scan disk for your computer and then do a check for adware, spyware, and viruses. After doing all of that I would then I would defragment it. If the computer is very slow and hard to fix, then I would just format it and start fresh again to avoid going through the hassle of trying to fix it.

[Ben James]

either reformat it, or remove the drive place it onto a component to usb connection or put it directly into your pc then run a virus check on it, that way you will not be running an os, because you will use the hard drive in the computer not the hardive from the other computer, either that or run a norton at startup and let it scan the drive befor a bootup.

[Rageki-John]

Originally Posted by Ben James

either reformat it, or remove the drive place it onto a component to usb connection or put it directly into your pc then run a virus check on it, that way you will not be running an os, because you will use the hard drive in the computer not the hardive from the other computer, either that or run a norton at startup and let it scan the drive befor a bootup.

Yes, that works too but if the adware or viruses infected his windows files he's better off formatting it instead. It would be nearly impossible to clean out windows infected files.

[redcell1]

Alright from the sound of it the best safest solution is to reformat and just go from there.

Well thanks guys I appreciate it

[aqns_hosting]

I would use Spyware Docor and Norton Anivirus. But the way you described it you jus might as well re-install windows. But if you dont want to do that i have always used norton and spyware dr. and i has worked wonderfully (as in nothing yet lol)

[zacharooni]

Boot it up to a Linux box, mount the drive as NTFS (-t ntfs), then run a ClamAV scan with the latest signatures. That way you have a control machine that is known to be uninfected, and windows binaries, rootkits, etc, won't run in Linux.

[ElTino]

I would join the guys that suggested the wipe out method, but first get all the important data out and then wipe the *bleep* out of it.

When you finish installing the new OS make sure that you also install good AV software and spyware tools.

I myself use f-secure at the moment as it has spyware, riskware and firwall incorporated.

[jmcomps]

try spybot. its the best virus removal tool so far.
just run the software, if things doesn't work. look for the virus at the process list. it can be found there and then just delete the file.