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From: PA Bear [MS MVP] on 17 Feb 2010 01:30
The solution is quite simple: Format the HDD & reinstall Windows.

Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100%
trustworthy at this point) then format the HDD & do a clean install of
Windows. Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT
fix this!

HOW TO do a clean install of WinXP: See
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps and/or Method 1 in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a local network (i.e., other computers) and
before using a flash drive or SDCard that isn't brand-new or hasn't been
freshly formatted:

4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx

Other helpful references include:

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029
manually: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer
when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is
reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial and download/run the
appropriate removal tool before installing any updates, Windows Service
Packs or IE upgrades and before installing your new anti-virus application
(which will require WinXP SP3 to be installed).

Norton Removal Tool
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe

McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Also see:

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx

Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms
http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx

Avoid Rogue Security Software!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.


Roy wrote:
> On Feb 16, 10:47 pm, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>> Also tell him that the computer's a thread to the entire online
>> community>> and to run a Google search on the word 'botnet.'
>>
>> Roy wrote:
>>> On Feb 16, 6:50 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> The security of the computer (and his data, including online banking
>>>> usernames & passwords) cannot be guaranteed unless he formats the HDD
>>>> and
>>>> does a clean install of Windows.
>>
>>> Hmm I relayed it to him, and acording to him at the moment that
>>> was not his real concern as he conduct internet banking with his
>>> favorite laptop. BTW He is aware of the perils you mentioned.
>>> This desktop is just for gaming, video encoding and general internet
>>> surfing, etc
>>> He insisted there is nothing wrong with that PC (except for that fault
>>> enumerated above ) that it needs formating and something like that...
>>> Just want a simple solution with minimal effort..from his side . if
>>> that can be possible.
>>
> Hmm so it implies that there is no simple solution to this problem?

From: Roy on 17 Feb 2010 02:08
On Feb 17, 12:35 pm, "Shenan Stanley" <newshel...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> Roy wrote:
> > I have shown him the threads  of his post and he called me and
> > underlined  this the paragraph that he wants more
> > information as this is the remedy he wants it done.
>
> > What are the many ways of doing such? Can't he not reverse the
> > process?
>
> > He is still reluctant to do that formatting job.....
>
> All the time is being wasted asking questions when a format/installation
> would have been over with days ago.
>
> Does he just not have the original media - is that the problem?
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
>      MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Wayhttp://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

I think some of the original media is missing and that is the likely
reason that he does not want to exert effort in doing a fresh start.
He did not tell me about it but that is how I see it as he is
stubborn to say that if there is away of sorting this out without
doing alots of effort from his side then he would do it.
Now if he can't do it by himself I just sent him an email asking him
to bring that PC to a repair shop and have the dirty work done
there....

Roy
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