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Spyware, viruses, & security forum: Reformatting hard drive in order to rid viruses

by: Alex_Martinez January 12, 2012 3:38 PM PST

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Reformatting hard drive in order to rid viruses

by Alex_Martinez - 1/12/12 3:38 PM

Hello, I have a Dell Latitude E6410 with Windows 7. Unfortunately, it has become infected with many viruses - to the point where I need to wipe it clean. It repeatedly crashes shortly after being uploaded and brings me to the blue screen. I called Dell and basically they told me it will be $199 to fix [the viruses], which I cannot afford to pay. I have all of the original discs that the computer came with, so re-installing all of the software should not pose a problem. I am looking for steps to correctly reformat my hard drive/computer. Please be very specific and try to state things as simply as possible, as I am not the most handy computer person.
As a side note, please do not suggest that I call Dell, as I have already done that. They have told me that I cannot be helped unless I pay, and I would rather throw my computer into a river then pay them anymore money. I have three Dell laptops and three Dell desktops currently in the family household and have been a loyal customer for years. The fact that I am refused assistance without fronting money is dispicable and egregious, and in the future my family and I will probably look elsewhere for our computer needs.
But all aside, I would greatly appreciate any help/insight that anyone has to offer. In desperate need of help, Alex


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No formatting required. Just recover it.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 1/12/12 3:52 PM

In Reply to: Reformatting hard drive in order to rid viruses by Alex_Martinez

When you boot again tap F8 and use Advanced Boot Options, and got to the Choose a Recovery Tool,

Under Choose a Recovery Tool, you may see:
Startup Repair,
System Restore,<b>
System Image Recovery

Use that one!
</b>


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Reformatting guide

by edwardnav - 1/14/12 7:55 AM

In Reply to: Reformatting hard drive in order to rid viruses by Alex_Martinez

If Bob's suggestion doesn't work because all your restore points are infected have a look at this post: http://forums.cnet.com/7723-10149_102-66200/2-25-05-how-to-reformat-your-hard-drive/

Good luck, its not exactly an easy process. And any documents that you transfer / reinstall, may be infected. Therefore you might want to run "anti" programs as you reinstall these "doc's, pictures, etc. In addition, there are a number of "free" anti programs that you can download and try and run to see if you can get rid of all the bad stuff. You can download them from the Cnet downloads or other places like Filehippo. If you look at this post it will give you guidance on what to try: http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6132_102-238606/welcome-to-s-v-s-forum-security-tools-and-removal-resources/?tag=contentBody;threadListing When I have helped people before, I have gone to the Control Panel and removed anything that looked strange, use Google to find out what stuff is and uninstall if necessary. Then try any "anti" programs. By the way what "anti" programs do you have installed. At least one firewall, one and only one anti-virus program, and maybe one anti-spyware program are needed to keep a computer safe. By the way I also have a Dell computer, had it for about ten years, and for the most part I have been able to keep it clean.

Eddie


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Update

by Alex_Martinez - 1/14/12 12:03 PM

In Reply to: Reformatting guide by edwardnav

Okay, as an update, my computer did not have a system image to restore to so I have booted my system from the OS (Win 7) CD and just clicked to "Format" Disk 0 Partition 2 which is labeled "Primary" and that was successful. There is, however, another option, which is "Disk 0 Partition 1: system reserved" and is total size: 300.0 MB and has free space 260.0 MB and under type is labeled "System"
I do not know what this is or if I should format, delete, or just let it be. I have heard of viruses creating separate partitions for themselves, but I also feel that it may just be the CD/CD drive.
I would be very grateful if someone could advise me on this issue.
Alex


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Default

by kratm - 1/14/12 11:19 PM

In Reply to: Update by Alex_Martinez

The System Reserved Partition is a default function of Win 7 installation

But if you want to reassure yourself just delete it and then install

Win7 will recreate it during install


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