Originally posted by: mechBgon
You could give System Restore a try. But if I had a compromised WinXP system I'd just back up all my stuff, nuke from orbit, reinstall, and get Windows fully secured so it doesn't happen again.
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Sorry, can't agree with the mechBgon take.
After suffering from a basic motherboard failure, I can't blame windows, but when a reinstall times three meant I could not hold onto an OS for a week, job one is to find out if its a hardware or a malware problem.
But if its a malware problem, its in the registry somewhere, and that is where pulling a hijackthis log file comes in, post that logfile on a place like spywarewarriors.com and an expert log file reader can help you remove any malware that ails you, even if the logfile seems greek to you.
I have had it both ways, but if its a hardware problem, the only way is to replace the defective hardware.
But Mech is right in one thing, almost dis regarding your chosen OS, windows by itself is a giant security hole with microsoft negligence largely to blame, but thanks to the help on this and other forums, setting up an excellent and almost bullet proof security system is fairly easy. Just have that set up burned to CD before you ever expose that new install to the internet.
But given my hardware problems, I now have a certain expertise in been there done that reinstall win XP. (1) Install OS, only an hour. (2) Install all the back windows updates, thanks to microsoft, sequence important,
install the wrong update first and it bombs. Go through the humiliation of reactivating windows, sometimes a giant hassle and sometimes not.
Then do all your mobo drivers in addition.
Pardon me if I say that nuking your hardrive option should not be billed as a first easy resort to malware.
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