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XP Format Reinstall wo SP2 - am I safe?

W

warbean

Member
Hey all,

I got a pretty nasty virus last week and decided to format and reinstall Windows XP just to be safe. Unfortunately, I only had my Windows SP1 CD on me and so was forced to reinstall with that; I also didnt have a laptop or anything to get SP2 without connecting to the internet.

So I connected and got SP2 right away, even though I noticed the net seemed a bit slow. I installed it along with all the latest security fixes. Then I got Webroot Spysweeper and the latest Symantec AV with latest definitions and did a clean sweep. They did not find anything.

Also I formatted my second hard drive immediately. I doubt the virus had spread to it, but I wanted to be safe.


Can I assume my limited period od vulnerability is not anything serious to worry about? I may be a bit paranoid, but I could swear that my computer was faster BEFORE the reinstall (crazy, I know) so I keep getting this lingering suspicion that something may be wrong, and I am seriously contemplating another reformat with my new slipstreamed XP install disc. I also did a web scan of Trendmicro's Housecall, which also found nothing.

My questions are: the format should have destroyed the virus, right? If it was a crazy boot sector or bio virus, then what are the chances that Symantec / Housecall should successfully detect it? I mean, even if the virus went from C drive (hard drive 1) to D (hard drive 2), and survived the format of D and then went back to C after my reinstall and before I reformatted D, then shouldn't it still be detected? Is there some worm that could have gone in during my vulnerable period from the net that is slowing things down?
I have not noticed anything strange or unusual besides a bit of slowness. 3d mark score is as good as ever.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
 
Since you said you downloaded SP2, I'm assuming you have broadband and not just dial-up, right? If so, it would definately be a good thing to get a router if you don't already have one. And if you do have a router that you used to connect to the internet, then you have nothing to worry about, you would not have gotten a worm or virus from the internet.
 
Originally posted by: warbean
I don't think I am on a router. I am on broadband from my university's internet connection.
Click to expand...

Put a router between yourself and your university's network.

To answer your origianl question, I think you're fine as long as scans come up clean, but I think it would be wise to get the router immediately. A WRT54G from Linksys is cheap these days; there are plenty of other good models.
 
If you have to do that again, then before you plug the WinXP SP1 system into the network, first turn on the Windows Firewall. Look in the Start > Help and search for "Firewall" and it'll get you where you need to go.

Also, yeah, a router is a good idea as long as the university allows you to have one. I've heard that some do not 🙁 Either disable the wireless access point or secure it with WPA encryption, if you get a wireless-equipped model.

As far as the limited period of vulnerability, a few seconds is all it would take to infect your system with a network worm. But maybe The Force is strong with this one 😀
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
If you have to do that again, then before you plug the WinXP SP1 system into the network, first turn on the Windows Firewall. Look in the Start > Help and search for "Firewall" and it'll get you where you need to go.
Click to expand...
I'm sure you know this & it just slipped your mind - Windows Firewall was added to XP in SP2, it is not found in the original release, SP1, or SP1a versions.
 
Originally posted by: cubby1223
Originally posted by: mechBgon
If you have to do that again, then before you plug the WinXP SP1 system into the network, first turn on the Windows Firewall. Look in the Start > Help and search for "Firewall" and it'll get you where you need to go.
Click to expand...
I'm sure you know this & it just slipped your mind - Windows Firewall was added to XP in SP2, it is not found in the original release, SP1, or SP1a versions.
Click to expand...
The Windows Firewall is in XP since the gold release, but named the "Internet Connection Firewall." It's not as easy to get at, which is why I suggested looking in Windows Help for "firewall."

 
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