Replacing my PC due to Trojans - software questions?

Muppet81

I have recently had a problem with my PC being affected by Trojans/worms etc and AlienRik and Browntoa gave me invalubale help in erradicating these, which I am pretty sure I have not done. THANKS GUYS!

BUT .... just as I was about to do the final Kapesrsky scan, my PC tower started to make a bit of a low growling noise. I powered down and started up again and it seemed OK. Later it started to make the noise again. Not very loud but certainly different to before. I am wondering if this is the hard drive failing and if this could be a result of the recent problems I had.

I live in dread of loosing my PC but am now looking at the possibility that this may happen. It is an old PC and if the hard drive died I suspect starting anew would be the most sensible option.... or would it?

If I tried having a new hard drive fitted I would presumably have to still go down the Vista route and acquire this?

Now for all the probaly stupid questions/ramblings of a not very computer literate person.

Vista! I am loathe to move from XP to Vista as people seem to dislike it and I suspect most of my current software will be incompatable. Is there a way round this? Can you still get aquire XP to load as your operating system?

Please could someone tell me if there is any way that the following could be used on VISTA:

Microsoft Office Pro 2000 (old I know but wonderful)
Publisher 2000
PaintshopPro8
Adobe Photoshop 6
Nero 6
Family Tree Maker 2006
MS Photostory 3 - one of my faves!

I have a gmail account which I use but also Outlook which I prefer.

Would a new machine loaded with Vista be set up with an Internet Explorer browser?

One of my big worries is that all my finances are held on MS Money v.11 1991-2002. It seems that MS Money is ceasing to be available but if I were to buy the most recent version is it likely that i could load this and transfer my data from my old version. Can't imagine trying to recereate it.

I have looked at PC World (I know you all hate them but I needed to look at what is about). Seems Vista is loaded on the PCs/laptops but nothing else.

Any thoughts, hints would be appreciated. My main use of the computer is e-mail, photos editing, banking and keeping finances on MS Money, Internet, letters, spreadsheets. I am not bothered about games.

DatabaseError

low groaning noise is probably a fan on its way out..cost to replace from £3 up to a tenner...a new PC is gonna be a little more expensive.
In the unlikely event it is your hard drive (only ones I've had die on me have done it silently) a replacement drive can be had for £25+ dependent on size..using the free trial of acronis true-image you can copy all data from the old to the new, unplug the old drive and throw it away (deleting data first etc..)

If the PC was mine I'd be taking the side off and finding out exactly what's making the noise. I also have no doubt that if you've followed Rik + Toad's advice your PC should be sparkly clean

-TangleFoot-

DatabaseError wrote: »

...using the free trial of acronis true-image...

Why bother with a trial when you can get something similar for free?

isofa

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Why bother with a trial when you can get something similar for free?

Perhaps because Acronis is far and away the market leader, award winning and has reliability beyond reproach? :rolleyes:

DatabaseError

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Why bother with a trial when you can get something similar for free?

because it was recommended to me..I tried it and it worked flawlessly.
I have no doubt other programs will do the job just as well...but of you can use the market leader for nothing and I have 1st hand experience that it works... you may as well...

-TangleFoot-

So, if it lacks a price tag it's not even worth considering?

DatabaseError

I'm not sure how this is helping the OP.

Imaging software was suggested as to a solution to 1 unlikely problem...I'm not sure anyone has an axe to grind regarding 1 package over another..and if they have then this is not the thread to discuss it in

-TangleFoot-

DatabaseError wrote: »

Imaging software was suggested as to a solution to 1 unlikely problem.

It may be unlikely, but it's still worth mentioning. In fairness, a 'low growling noise' could mean anything from failing hardware to simple resonance. It could be a loose panel for all we know.

DCFC79

I think a new pc is a worst case scenario, OP you can still get new copies of xp so if its xp you want to use then go for it, id find out what is making the noise as it could be something simple

Donnie

No need to move to Vista. Even if you change the hard drive, you can still use your existing XP OEM or Retail licence. Just make sure that you capture the relevant details before any HDD failure.

Then you can simply reinstall all of your old software.

-TangleFoot-

Donnie wrote: »

Just make sure that you capture the relevant details before any HDD failure.

Documents, drivers and product keys in other words. Have I missed anything?