Computer help needed!!!

[TurboCaroline]

My husband traded his dirt bike for a Sony Vio laptop...I don't really like getting "used" computers because there are always problems. So anyway I installed McAfee on it and it found 47 viruses and 3 potentially unwanted programs. Well I deleted everything...I rebooted the computer and it took FOREVER for it to finally make it to the desktop. I have no icons or taskbar! All you can see is my background. I have done searches on the internet and a lot of them are saying to re-install windows. :shrug: I even started it in safe mode but the taskbar still wouldn't show up but the icons did.
Computers drive me crazy:hammer:

I know someone here is a computer wiz...

 

[haveyoumetmark]

I would opt to reformat the hard drive and do a clean install of windows. You would be free from worry about any unwanted viruses and trojanhorses or spyware. It would be a fresh start and probably your best bet.

Even if you don't have a taskbar showing you can still reinstall windows by booting from the disk.

 

[dolbyman]

use a linux live cd (like knoppix) to put all the important data on a USB harddrive and do a clean install .. because even the best virus scaners are not perfect .. you could still have some selfwritten backdoors and rootkits on you computer

a clean install is really the best thing if you were running it without any virus protection for a long(er) time

 

[TurboCaroline]

use a linux live cd (like knoppix) to put all the important data on a USB harddrive and do a clean install .. because even the best virus scaners are not perfect .. you could still have some selfwritten backdoors and rootkits on you computer

a clean install is really the best thing if you were running it without any virus protection for a long(er) time

There isn't anything important on it. The only problem is, is that I don't have the operating system disk...you know what I think I may have the XP Professional cd from my other cpu. I like professional better anyway. So to format windows I need to right click on the c drive and go to format?

 

[Iakona]

There isn't anything important on it. The only problem is, is that I don't have the operating system disk...you know what I think I may have the XP Professional cd from my other cpu. I like professional better anyway. So to format windows I need to right click on the c drive and go to format?

That would probably work. You may have to update a bunch of drivers since you do not have the custom image. Also, you may have to call Microsoft because the license for XP is probably associated with your old cpu.

 

[dolbyman]

you know what I think I may have the XP Professional cd from my other cpu.

you can't install winxp professional with a win xp home key .. you need to find your install/recovery cd .. sorry

So to format windows I need to right click on the c drive and go to format?

no you can't format your system disk while running windows (would be like sawing of the branch you sit on) you need to insert the install disk, reboot, and push a key when asked for then the setup routine starts that will guide you through the install .. when asked for the install location choose format disk and install it

 

[TurboCaroline]

you can't install winxp professional with a win xp home key .. you need to find your install/recovery cd .. sorry


no you can't format your system disk while running windows (would be like sawing of the branch you sit on) you need to insert the install disk, reboot, and push a key when asked for then the setup routine starts that will guide you through the install .. when asked for the install location choose format disk and install it

Thanks..lets hope the guy still has the disk..

 

[Iakona]

you can't install winxp professional with a win xp home key .. you need to find your install/recovery cd .. sorry

Sorry, this is correct. If your win xp disc is an oem system recovery disc that came with your other cpu you cannot use it on the sony. You will need the os disc that came with the sony.

 

[unkadug]

or an original Microsoft Windows XP/2000/98/95/NT/ME. (ad nauseum) disc and software for every program that you now rely on, for a total reformat and reload which WILL get rid of any unwanted malware.

Sometimes this is better than the OEM disc that came from the distributor.

 

[e4ymod]

Thanks..lets hope the guy still has the disk..

If not, call Sony for a new OS CD. They'll charge you about 9 bucks plus shipping, but it the only thing you can do (legally) if the guy doesn't have it.

 

[unkadug]

If not, call Sony for a new OS CD. They'll charge you about 9 bucks plus shipping, but it the only thing you can do (legally) if the guy doesn't have it.

Besides going and buying a new OS.

 

[e4ymod]

Besides going and buying a new OS.

Well... yea... but she already has the license. All she really needs is the media.

 

[TurboCaroline]

Well... yea... but she already has the license. All she really needs is the media.

Well he doesn't have the cd. He seems to think the recovery disks that came with the computer has XP on it. Anyway my dad knows a computer engineer that might be able to fix it. My dad has a old piece of junk Compaq that the hard drive went out on it and the guy was able to get all of his files from it and install a new one. He also put XP Pro on it (he did have windows Millenium with the XP Home Edition upgrade). So hopefully he can fix it. :shrug: Thanks everyone...

 

[dolbyman]

even the best hardware engineer will have a hard time to install a normal winxp with a sony oem key ..

 

[maxime29]

Sounds like the viruses took some of the necessary Windows files with the deletion. Normally the laptops come with CDs to restore it to the original "out of box" format. The person who originally had it SHOULD have given you these. Drivers are gonna be the main issue with the install if you have to find a separate XP CD. They should be available on Sony's website or through Windows Update.

On a tangent: McAfee isn't very good. Sounds like it came free with the laptop? Symantec Corporate Edition is a better choice.

 

[TurboCaroline]

Sounds like the viruses took some of the necessary Windows files with the deletion. Normally the laptops come with CDs to restore it to the original "out of box" format. The person who originally had it SHOULD have given you these. Drivers are gonna be the main issue with the install if you have to find a separate XP CD. They should be available on Sony's website or through Windows Update.

On a tangent: McAfee isn't very good. Sounds like it came free with the laptop? Symantec Corporate Edition is a better choice.

Yes, I have 3 system recovery cd's, 2 application recovery cd's and a driver recovery cd. Should I try the recovery cd's? Wouldn't I need to change the boot order for that?
I used the 2006 McAfee disk I already had with my other computer.

 

[brertigger]

Try the recovery cds.
You might not have to change the boot order. Just try putting the cd in the drive and restart and see what happens. On some Vaios I have seen, the cd drive is the first boot device.

Let us know if this does not work.

 

[TurboCaroline]

Try the recovery cds.
You might not have to change the boot order. Just try putting the cd in the drive and restart and see what happens. On some Vaios I have seen, the cd drive is the first boot device.

Let us know if this does not work.

Woo hoo!!! It worked!:sohappy: :sohappy:
It's like I have a brand new computer. I tried the recovery disk before but it was while I was already at the desktop. I assumed it would start up like any other cd.
To top it off the wireless internet works!! This is awesome! Thanks so much to everyone that gave me advice!
:sohappy: :sohappy: