Reformatting a stock PC without boot disks

[Stg-Flame]

For the past week I have been fixing my boss's PC that has a nasty virus on it. The virus was downloaded from Myspace when his daughter was using his computer. Rather than pay a specialist $XXX to repair it, I opted to do it in exchange for auto-repair.

Anyways, he said he bought it four months ago from Best Buy, but it did not come with any boot disks. The only files he wanted off the computer were pictures which I was successfully able to retrieve off this HDD without infection entering my laptop. From what I have seen, the best course of action is a complete reformat, but I do not know if it is possible without the boot disks.

Now, just in case anyone was wondering, the virus makes it nigh impossible to use the PC. It takes roughly two hours to boot the PC to the desktop and the PC freezes every five minutes for a period lasting fifteen to thirty minutes. Trying to access any system files, command prompts, batch files, drives, etc. result in a thirty-minute lock-up. I attempted to connect my laptop to the PC to see if I would be able to diagnose the problem without being bogged down, but connecting any cables to the PC locks it up indefinitely and must be unplugged before the PC can be used again. Using the Internet is impossible as well.

Any information ASAP is greatly appreciated as I am headed back over there tomorrow after work to see what else I can do.

 

[masteryoda34]

Is it running XP or Vista?

 

[ochadd]

Without an OS disk you will have nothing to put back on it. If you or he does not have an OS disk but he has a valid Windows sticker/serial # download an ISO using bit torrent and burn it at your place.

Some computer vendors also keep a "repair" partition with a copy of the OS or CD/DVD data on it. Haven't ever used it but it's there for a reason. Asus does this with their laptops and Gateway used to do it back in the day I think.

 

[Zensal]

If it's Vista, you can use any Vista disk to install it. Just make sure you have the product key. Maybe you have one, or a friend or neighbor's you could borrow?

If it's XP, you'll need to find out if it is Home or Professional and find the specific disk.

 

[Gunbuster]

You are not helping by keeping the PC brand to yourself...

Access the restore partition (should be a F-something key at boot)
or
Call the manufacturer and get the restore/OS disc.

 

[Stg-Flame]

Originally posted by: masteryoda34
Is it running XP or Vista?

Vista 32, I think. Might be 64, but I do not remember where to find if it is 32 or 64.

Originally posted by: Zensal
If it's Vista, you can use any Vista disk to install it. Just make sure you have the product key. Maybe you have one, or a friend or neighbor's you could borrow?

If it's XP, you'll need to find out if it is Home or Professional and find the specific disk.

I have a vista Home Premium I used to build my PC as well as two other copies I bought for my brother and my mom when I built theirs as well. I am fairly certain he has the OS serial numbers on the side of his PC case, so a valid serial key should not be a problem. I might just take mine over there and install Vista 64 HP and see if that works.

Should I be able to just put the HP disk in the tray and access the reformat option? Or must I go through the BIOS to do so?

Originally posted by: Gunbuster
You are not helping by keeping the PC brand to yourself...

Access the restore partition (should be a F-something key at boot)
or
Call the manufacturer and get the restore/OS disc.

The PC case and monitor say Acer, but since I have never bought a stock PC, I was unaware that Acer even manufactured stock PCs (though now that I think of it, I don't see why they wouldn't).

As for accessing the Restore Partition, are you suggesting using the System Restore points to revert back to a previously saved, safe, time on the PC? Personally, I disable System Restore the moment I have access to a new PC that I have built. I have never found a use for it and it has only caused me problems (viruses tend to hide in the restore points). Then again, I make hard copies of all my work at various stations to an external, so I guess the average PC user wouldn't know how to do this, nor would they even consider it.

Anyways, the help is appreciated and I am heading over there tomorrow to fix his PC. I should be back on tonight in seven hours or so to check back up on any new replies.

 

[Gunbuster]

If the PC did not ship with a restore CD/DVD it will have a restore partition. Most often you access it from the boot menu at post. I'm not sure what Acer uses. Look the PC up at the Acer web page.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: Chaoticpenguin666
As for accessing the Restore Partition, are you suggesting using the System Restore points to revert back to a previously saved, safe, time on the PC? Personally, I disable System Restore the moment I have access to a new PC that I have built. I have never found a use for it and it has only caused me problems (viruses tend to hide in the restore points). Then again, I make hard copies of all my work at various stations to an external, so I guess the average PC user wouldn't know how to do this, nor would they even consider it.

1. A vendor installed Restore Partition is completely different from Windows restore points. The first is designed to restore the system to what it was at the time of delivery. The second allows you to revert to configurations that do not include recent changes.
2. Whether or not you personally have found a use for system restore, you should never disable it from someone else's machine. You may know what you are doing (although quite frankly I'm not sure of that) but these features exist precisely to help those who don't. Restore points don't hurt anything and are quite useful to professionals who do know how to use them.

 

[Stg-Flame]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: Chaoticpenguin666
As for accessing the Restore Partition, are you suggesting using the System Restore points to revert back to a previously saved, safe, time on the PC? Personally, I disable System Restore the moment I have access to a new PC that I have built. I have never found a use for it and it has only caused me problems (viruses tend to hide in the restore points). Then again, I make hard copies of all my work at various stations to an external, so I guess the average PC user wouldn't know how to do this, nor would they even consider it.

1. A vendor installed Restore Partition is completely different from Windows restore points. The first is designed to restore the system to what it was at the time of delivery. The second allows you to revert to configurations that do not include recent changes.
2. Whether or not you personally have found a use for system restore, you should never disable it from someone else's machine. You may know what you are doing (although quite frankly I'm not sure of that) but these features exist precisely to help those who don't. Restore points don't hurt anything and are quite useful to professionals who do know how to use them.

I do not do anything of the sort on other people's PCs I work on. I leave it all stock unless they inform me of a feature that they do not wish to have on their PC. Also, there is no need to go in-depth about my qualifications, I know what I can handle and what I cannot. The problems I am unable to fix, I refer the person to a professional. If not, I fix the problem usually free of charge.