Computer started doing some screwy stuff. IE homepage stays set at " about:blank" no matter what. I can't install any windows updates. And I can't even reinstall Windows. I have Nortons System Works, and keep it updated regularly, but it apparently didn't catch everything, becouse pc pitstop.com says I have 11 virus's on my computer. I have manually removed 2 of them, the rest are in the registry. Is it safe for me to find those infected files in the registry and just delete them?

HHHEELLLLLLLLLPP

Try some adware rmovers (and I think its impossible to not be able to reinstall Windows, you would just format your hard drive and use the windows disc to reinstall it (BUT IM NO EXPERT, so it might be a good idea to check with someone who is first)) It might take some time for others to respond its friday.

Wish I knew where to go on a Friday myself.

I did the ad removal early into this, and every other program I could think of. My problem is I have virus's in my registry. And The only disk I have access to is Syatem Works 2002. Reformating leaves too much of a chance of one or more virus's to still be on the hard drive. To pay someone to remove them will be no less than $50-60. I can replace the hard drive for less than that. I do kindly thank you for the advice.

If you know what virus's you have you can go to a place like
http://www.the most fetid evil in the known universe.com/security/antivirus/
or if you have norton or mcaffee go to their homepage and download the cleaning utilities.

If you're unable to download the cleaning utilities and want to know how to remove them manually, usually those pages have the steps you need to go through as well. Most viruses put themselves in your registry, and the cleaning utilities will remove them from all locations, but if you are thinking about messing with your registry without knowing exactly what you're doing, I would advise against it. the cleaning utilities will remove references to the virus in your registry as well as quarantine any infected files.

also, if you format your harddrive, everything is gone, bye-bye. there are no files on the harddrive for a virus to infect, let alone a virus still on the drive.

If you are willing to format, and have made your backups of anything you need (be careful what you backup and that they are not already infected with one of your 11 viruses) then format, reinstall and rebuild your system from scratch.

You might want to get your anti virus installed and keep it up to date in the future.

Also remember, NEVER open/save attachments if you don't know exactly what they are. Just receiving an email that has an attachment on it won't give you anything, you must open it. So make sure your virus scanner scans everything, and that you update it at least once a week (it only takes a few minutes) ... and don't open files that you weren't expecting. If you are unsure, simply respond to the person who sent it to you and say "Hey, what is this, and why are you sending it?"

These days no one minds if you do that, everyone understands, viruses suck.

Losing everything on my hard drive would suck, but I can deal with it.

I am religous about keeping my nortons updated. Funny thing is, it never caught what's on here. It was a virus scan at PC Pitstop that did, they either use McKafee or Pandasoft, not sure which. I looked at the Symantic web site for the particular virus's, but couldn't find them in their deffinitions. I'll check again though, and 1 or 2 other sites. I will also try to find the cleaning software you speak of, but these virus's won't let me install ANYTHING I've tried to install since they got on here. Except for I am able to still update and install new virus deff.. There is always an error of somekind with anything else. Looks like formating might be my only choice.

Formatting religiously is also a good way to keep your system clean. I try to format bout every 3 monthes (when I have a PC). I don't always remember to do it, but it is still a good policy.

lol yeah orge thats pretty much my fix for all of my winblows problems. Running slow- format Constant crashing- format Dont like the background- Format.

:p

Yeah, it's a pain in the ass, but there's no better way to keep Windows work'n...

if you defrag every 30 days, you should only reformat once every 6 months, every 3 months is unecessary, dear.

Well, I wanted to solve the problem withou reformating, but I got tired of it, so up and running with a clean hard drive now. Thanks for the help everyone.

well, that's one way to do it.

I was going to suggest http://store.apple.com/ to take care of that nasty virus problem permanently.

I'll bookmark that link in case something like that ever happens again. I'd rather not go through reformating if I don't have to.

glad that it's working for you now at least.

But yeah reformatting every 3 months is completely unnecessary. The only time I would ever reformat my machine is if there is some issue I cannot fix any other way. It's a last resort option. However, Defragging every month or 3, that's a good idea. ..

DarkVader wrote:well, that's one way to do it.

I was going to suggest http://store.apple.com/ to take care of that nasty virus problem permanently.

I have a friend who has a virus problem now, where exactly on that link is there help on removing them?

DeadSoul wrote:

DarkVader wrote:well, that's one way to do it.

I was going to suggest http://store.apple.com/ to take care of that nasty virus problem permanently.

I have a friend who has a virus problem now, where exactly on that link is there help on removing them?

LOL...that is our Vader being a smartass and saying "buy a mac".

Registry Clean Expert is a nifty piece of soiftware I found to fix those registry problems. =) Let me know if ya want/need a copy.