Help please - virus, reinstalling OS

chopandchange

Here's a case in point (freaky laptop activity).

I plugged in my external HD to check if photos were there. They are.

I close everything down - NO windows or programs open at this point - and click on the little icon to safely remove hardware. It tells me it can't remove it just now because another window or program is using it - BUT THEY AREN'T. At least, they shouldn't be. Worry, worry...

I keep trying to safely remove it and in the end I just have to unplug the thing "unsafely."

What was that all about?

chopandchange

Browntoa wrote: »

follow the simple on screen instructions to reset the Laptop to the same as it left the factory

Won't that uninstall Windows though?

I can't remember exactly but I don't think it came with Windows. I think we had to add it separately.

Browntoa

it would have come with windows , there will be a sticker underneath like this



should say Vista Home basic or something similar , the recovery partition will just replace the windows version and set up it was originally supplied with , you will have to go through the original set up screens again as it boots up but will probably run faster

you will need to re-enter your wireless key ( normally on a sticker on the wireless router) and connect to the internet , and then find that there are a load of windows updates to do

victor2

Browntoa is giving you good advice there. It does sound like you've got a bit paranoid after one bit of malware. If you've now got multiple anti-virus systems running, it will be crippling your system, which being Vista, is already crippled by Micro$oft anyway .
The system restore to as shipped sounds best - just remember that apart from all the updates required, you will lose any applications you have installed since getting the computer and all the little bits of personalisation you may have done.

chopandchange

Thank you. There is a sticker but it doesn't look like those ones. It's just a tiny square with the coloured flag and it says Vista underneath. Edit: oh, I see. Underneath. You mean on the base. Yes, there is one there.

I am a bit scared now that it all sounds too hard for me and I will do something wrong. Maybe I should just leave it the way it is. You are right, the AV apps are slowing down my system. It does lots of whirring when I start up. I've already deleted one. Should I delete more?

If I encrypt my photos and data, will they be safer from hackers / viruses if left on my C drive? (encryption is my next geeky task)!

victor2

chopandchange wrote: »

If I encrypt my photos and data, will they be safer from hackers / viruses if left on my C drive? (encryption is my next geeky task)!

You'll probably find doing that is more difficult than cleaning the system up, and of little benefit, as for ease of access you'll have items unlocked a lot of the time.
By all means password protect any documents you have containing sensitive data, but do you really think somebody else wants your pictures?

You just need decent protection on your system, about which there is much advice on this forum, a sensible approach to storing sensitive data, and to stop worrying!

chopandchange

Thank you Victor2. The reason I am paranoid about my pictures is that one of them moved itself (see original post).

victor2

It does seem you had some malware on there, so strange things could have been happening due to that.
Putting the system back to "as shipped" does seem a sensible idea under the circumstances. Just take it step by step from deciding to do that. You almost certainly will need a way to get back on here without the computer you are fixing while you are sorting it, as you may get stuck and without internet connectivity at some point. It may be easy, but nobody can predict all the issues you may face and it isn't a quick job. No reason why you can't do it though, and you'll feel so much better once you have.

chopandchange

Thanks Victor. I have got a smartphone which connects to my wireless so can use that. I will not attempt the "restoring to factory settings" just now, as I'm worried it's a bit too hard for me and something will go wrong. Maybe I will do it if I can get someone to come and help.