Virus or worm on my computer

[butch1286]

Can somone please help me my computer has a virus or worm or somethin on it and the microsoft website says to completely get rid of it I need to reformat my hard drive or somethin completely erase everything and start over again. Now I don't have a clue how to do that. Anyone knoe how and can tell me how to do it and save some files?can do some basic stuff but not alot.

[Homer]

You can do a free virus scan at:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/

You can do a free spyware scan at:

http://www.webroot.com/services/spyaudit_03.htm

[Rachel]

 :( I recently had to do the same thing, not due to virus or anything just because I wnated my computer to perform better. Formatting and reinstalling may be the answer to your problem but first you will need to back up anything you have on your computer that you wish to keep because other wise you will lose it.. :'( Nobody likes to lose stuff..2nd You need operating system disks windows xp if thats what u have and a drivers and utility disk, or if u have compaq you need a recovery cd set. I know that Dell ships OS and driver cds with systems because I am a certified dell technician..If you dont have these depending on the warranty status some companies will replace the disks for you..Compaq doesnt ship with their systems I had to fight their tech support associates to get mine and trust me that is A WHOLE nother thread LOL. 3rd,,,,, As with any virus even if you format and reinstall it will leave you wide open for the same thing so youll need protection from it afterwards or its useless... My advice before doing any of that would be to identify the virus or worm if at all possible and then check Symantecs website for a removal tool and patch to keep it from infecting your computer again. Other than that I can help you and I dont mind...just thought Id give you some information you needed to know. O0

[lori]

I don't normally recommend things, but if you reformat, i HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest this website. These programs are in my opinion, the very best around.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

[pogo_playa]

I don't normally recommend things, but if you reformat, i HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest this website. These programs are in my opinion, the very best around.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

yes, the above site is very useful indeed. but they are only good to prevent spyware and other anonymous things from going into your computer. it does not get rid of it.

try these program for removing spyware
http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/?ref=d7
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1

to remove trojans/virus/worm etc etc. go to these
http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm-Internet-Security-Suite/3000-10435_4-10438084.html
http://www.download.com/XoftSpy/3000-8022_4-10414709.html?tag=lst-0-1
http://www.download.com/Ewido-Security-Suite/3000-8022_4-10326287.html?tag=lst-0-1

ZoneAlarm and Ewido can both prevent it from coming in and get rid of it if it does.

hope this helps

o yeah, to tell you one more thing. all these programs are FREE to the extent that they prevent or destroy the anonymous things thats out there that get into your computer. ;D

[wattsmyname]

Thank you Pogo Playa.  I will give these a try.