Repair Windows XP

[101RRS]

Hi All,

Despite having AVG, AVG AntiSpyware, Adaware and SpyWare Doctor a friends computer managed to get a virus through a trojan that started replicating quicker than it could be removed. In the end the system just stopped working.

I reformatted the hard drive and did a clean install - all Ok except that the guy has 30gb of ADSL 2+ per month that he manages to use up in about 4 days at the start of each month so we are left with using the throttled back speed of about 2x dial up.

He has maanged to load most of the windows updated but when trying to install SP2 the computer said it had ran out of vitual memory and stopped loading - it then said restart the computer - which we have.

Now windows loads its opening page - then restarts the computer and when windows gets to its opening page - it restarts the computer - and so on and on and on - Ground Hog Day.

So he has tried to repair windows by booting from the XP disk and entering the repair console - ? It doesn't make sense and is goblygoop - why they do not have a menu that simply says repair windows 'yes' 'no' beats me.

So can you reinstall XP without having having to format the disk and loosing everything on it - yes we can reinstal etc but having just spent 24 hours doing it we would prefer not to do it again.

WINDOWS SUCKS

Gazzz

[ladas]

In my view it would be best to clean it out and start again....I know it's a pain, but if you don't it will bite you (the chap who owns it) on the bum.

I have SP2 on a CD, and I am quite happy to copy it and post it to you, saves a great deal of grief.

PM me if you want the copy.

Ladas

[jik22]

When you re-install it this time, do it without the ADSL plugged in, and don't put update patches on until you've put the apps on. Then use somethign like Ghost to image the thing to a DVD so you don't have to start from scratch if the updates kill it once more.

Also, try and set SP2 on a CD first, and then update the XP SP2 install - it will be quicker.

[abaddonxi]

You could make up a XP service pack 2 bootable install cd so you start with sp2.

Instructions here (http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html) and here (http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstream_01.htm).

It sounds like you are running service pack 2 as part of windows/microsoft update. Instead try downloading the full install of service pack 2 and then installing.

I've found that when I've run out of adsl2+ download the throttled downloading doesn't work quite so well, so maybe it's a corruption in the download.

Cheers
Simon

[Blknight.aus]

When you re-install it this time, do it without the ADSL plugged in, and don't put update patches on until you've put the apps on. Then use somethign like Ghost to image the thing to a DVD so you don't have to start from scratch if the updates kill it once more.

Also, try and set SP2 on a CD first, and then update the XP SP2 install - it will be quicker.


Im backing this Idea. with a twist

install and get the bare bones sytems stable with all the normal hardware drivers updated..

Make a bootable backup cd of this setup

install all the programs in the order they are most frequently used

make a bootable backup cd of this setup...

keep them in the fridge. (writeable cds last 10-15 years in cold storage as 7 in normal conditions)

[Mick-Kelly]

WINDOWS SUCKS

Gazzz

Not meaning to sound like a smart **** but you could download a Linux distro such as Ubuntu 7.04 (fiesty fawn) and have all the eye candy of the latest and greatest winblows for zero cost. Plus a much higher level of OS security. If it has **** itself to that point what have you got to loose except frustration.

[p38arover]

Here's how to make up a new XP SP2 pack with all you need.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Ron

[101RRS]

Thanks guys for the advice about creating a SP2 disk - I don't have Nero but will see if my burning software will work as well.

We will see what happens - but yet again I will have to reload the entire system because of grommets who like to wreck other people's computers with viruses solely for the fun of it and because Windows have crap systems.

Gazzz

[101RRS]

Here's how to make up a new XP SP2 pack with all you need.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Ron


Thanks Ron - and the others - followed it through but as I thought I cannot make the boot CD as I don't have the same software as used on the site - I have Nero Express that has a basic boot CD making facility but it does not have the same menus etc. I tried downloading Nero Burning Rom 6 from a "freeware" site but it requires a serial key code which was not provided.

Thanks - I guess I will have to continue trying to load SP2 the way Microsoft intended.

Cheers

Garry

[barryj]

I found a trojan on my pc during a routine test with AVG. It showed I had A0189445.exe (Generic5.BKW) in a directory in c: that I could not find, even with show hidden files and folders option selected.

AVG seemed to remove it but it might pop up again sometime, and no I don't want to play around with other operating systems as I don't know what other problems this could cause.

[kaa45]

You can do a repair install. Don't go to repair console, there is another repair option in the next screen or two.
I've found if SP2 is part of the install, all go well. If you install XP and add SP2 after...nothing but trouble!
Don't bother with updates..they're full of crap and create more problems..if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
AVG is not foolproof, do your mate a favour and get McAfee or similar.

[djam1]

I don't want to start a debate about the effectiveness of AVG but simply offer an alternative try this:

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

I have found this to be vastly superior

[abaddonxi]

All of the antivirus/antispyware tools are good, but are a pretty passive option for security.

If your mate is downloading 30GB in three or four days I'm guessing that there's a fair bit of P2P in there. I'd be thinking your friend needs to be more active about scanning P2P content before opening.

Cheers
Simon

[101RRS]

Thanks for all the information - when making a combined XP/SP2 boot disk I do not have the listed software to make a boot disk - I tried using the boot disk facility on my Nero Express but it doesn't work - the disk provides a Dos type environment to navigate around the disks but will not load windows when setup is typed - it comes back with a command that says it cannot be in done in DOS. As the required Nero software is $190 it is not cost effective for a one off job and Nero Express does what I need otherwise.

In the end it was just quicker and easier to go for a full reload - and install SP2 from disk.

Re comments about using McAfee etc - used them and Norton previously and I got just as many viruses as AVG and got ripped off with the subscriptions so I will not be going that route again. I might load Avast as well - it seems the best protection is to go for a number of different systems.

Simon - what is P2P? The systems on the computer are scanning as the downloads are taking place but for some reason the trojan wasn't picked up. The systems did pick it up as soon as it activated but it multiplied so quickly it just swamped the system - the systems were removing it but it was multiplying quicker than it could be removed - also when it started multiplying it started dowwnloading from the net - the connection was manually cut but it eventually swamped the computer.

I guess it was just one of those things.

Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.

Garry

[ladas]

Garry

Do you have a SP2 Disk - if you don't, PM me your details and I'll pop one in the post to you.

Ladas

[p38arover]

My dsktop appears to have been hit with a virus this morning.

I was using IE to do some user management in the Rangerovers.net forum when IE was unceremoniously closed. I restarted it and now IE keeps loading and loading (up to 30 copies of itself all pointing to a particular Polish website).

I went to check the system with AVG and found AVG was no longer working. I tried reinstalling it but it won't install.

I tried Spybot and that won't run either nor will it reinstall.

I can't even install Norton Internet Security - it says a file is missing from the CD-ROM but I can see the file when I put the CD in my laptop.

Ron

[101RRS]

Garry

Do you have a SP2 Disk - if you don't, PM me your details and I'll pop one in the post to you.

Ladas

Thanks Ladas - I have downloaded the SP2.exe file and used it to do the install. Appreciate the offer.

Cheers

Garry

[p38arover]

My dsktop appears to have been hit with a virus this morning.

I was using IE to do some user management in the Rangerovers.net forum when IE was unceremoniously closed. I restarted it and now IE keeps loading and loading (up to 30 copies of itself all pointing to a particular Polish website).

I went to check the system with AVG and found AVG was no longer working. I tried reinstalling it but it won't install.

I tried Spybot and that won't run either nor will it reinstall.

I can't even install Norton Internet Security - it says a file is missing from the CD-ROM but I can see the file when I put the CD in my laptop.

Ron

Sorted - I hope. The PC was infected with the Beagle Z virus which shuts down AVG, Nortons and Spybot (among others).