How do you fix an infected computer?

[TripleJ]

My Uncle and Auntie have quite a virus on their computer. They can't scan(photo scanner) stuff anymore and it crashes IE often, especially when trying to go to Symantec's site(I think it's IE5). They have Norton Anti-Virus but it was a trial version and it has expired. I tried to get their computer going good again without having to do a reinstall, but there is little I can do. I told them to pick up the latest verion of Norton, but I'm not sure where to go from there. What is the best way to fix their computer? (I know a bit about computer's but they are true novices, to the point where they didn't even know that viruses were made by people.)

Thanks.

edit: I just realised that this might be better in Technical Support, so if it is, go for it Mods.

 

[Soybomb]

IE crashes often....sounds perfectly normal. Seriously though you might consider things other than viruses like "windows rot." Maybe it just needs a hearty reinstall. I'd recommend you try this link out if you suspect a virus

 

[Platypus]

Try just reinstalling windows, not formatting; then from what you said, they should just back up their important data and reformat. No use making a shaky system run when it could be solid. I doubt their HD is that full.

 

[Nutz75]

2 words............baseball bat

 

[TripleJ]

Hehe, it used to, but I have not had IE6 crash on me yet!

Anyway, I'm pretty sure it is a virus, as their friends who email them often had a virus. The file we suspect is the virus was called "FVCK_YOUR_DOGS.SCR".
They're 30'ish with babies so baby pics are flying left, right and centre. They don't have a CDR so it looks like lots of floppies if a reinstall is in order.

 

[Elledan]

This sounds like a time for a good, healthy backup and format

 

[TripleJ]

This sounds like a time for a good, healthy backup and format

Guess so. The backup part doesn't look pretty. Ah well, it had to be done one day.

 

[spanky]

u might need to make a rescue disk from a computer with an updated virus scan. maybe that will get u back into a working windows session. u know...i think u have the MTX virus. i dunno if a rescue disk will clean that, but u will need to boot into safe mode to clean MTX. if u have time to investigate the situation, u will come to realize what a pain in the butt iit can be to clean MTX. otherwise, try to back up their important data and reformat. well...just my $.02

 

[yakko]

Torch.

 

[Elledan]

<< Torch. >>

:Q