How to restore windows XP?

HQ12

I have a Dell laptop which is running Windows XP. The laptop did not come with installation discs as it was already set up when I bought it from Dell. The laptop has got viruses which I have been unable to remove and now I'd like to simply re-set it. System restore does not work due to the viruses. Does anyone know what you do in the BIOS to re-set Windows XP on Dell systems? - there is no obvious option in there... Or is there another way to re-set Windows XP? Any advice gratefully received!

DatabaseError

google led here

Reluctant_spender

what model is your laptop?

Airwolf1

There is normally a partition which enables you to restore the machine to how it was when you bought it, however, unsure if this will remove a virus and it depends how old the laptop is. Can't your anti-virus software get rid of it?

HQ12

It is a Dell Inspiron 510m.

Have tried numerous anti-virus tools, including Norton, Spyware Doctor and Super Anti-spyware. It keeps coming back!

Reluctant_spender

try this free tool - while we continue to look
Malware Bytes

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.

• Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
• Double-click on mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
• When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
• When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
  • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
• Then click Finish.
• MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan. If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue. If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.
• On the Scanner tab:
  • Make sure the "Perform Quick Scan" option is selected.
  • Then click on the Scan button.
• If asked to select the drives to scan, leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
• The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
• When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
• Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.
• Back at the main Scanner screen, click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
• When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad.
• The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy and paste the contents of that report in your next reply and exit MBAM.

Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you may be asked to reboot your computer so it can proceed with the disinfection process. Regardless if prompted to restart the computer or not, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot normally (not into safe mode) will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware. MBAM may make changes to your registry as part of its disinfection routine. If you're using other security programs that detect registry changes, they may alert you after scanning with MBAM. Please permit the program to allow the changes.

Reluctant_spender

Dell Site - http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/topic.aspx/emea/shared/support/dsn/en/document?c=uk&l=en&s=gen&docid=3E48AE3870775D64E040A68F5B2877D4&journalid=5A6F865BD943F43EE040AE0AB7E10527&Query=&SystemID=&ServiceTag=&contenttype=&os=&component=&lang=&doclang=&toggle=&dl=

Browntoa

i it won't boot properly due to the viruses then first try

http://www.free-av.com/en/tools/12/avira_antivir_rescue_system.html

HQ12

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied so far. I'm going to try all the things you have suggested and will let you know what happens...

HQ12

I thought I'd update you on the laptop situation and to thank all who helped. I restored windows XP using the instructions posted above (from Dell's site). This puts the computer back to how it was new and deletes everything on there. I then did the Malware Bytes run and it is showing no infections now. I think that restoring it back to how it was new has wiped the viruses - and one of them that I had was Vundo/Virtumonde which was not going away. I have now put Kasperskys antivirus on the machine (previously I had Norton). I also discovered that my Java was very out of date - I have a feeling that can be a vulnerability. Thank you very much and I hope that this may be of help to someone else too.

Airwolf1

Of course, ensure you also have a firewall too.