Computer Reformat problem

[Elite0ne04]

I have had this computer for a few years now and have reformated it 2 times i have the process down perfectly but recently i recieved quite a bit of spyware viruses and adware on it,

so anyways
1)Is it possible for a virus to disable both windows restore and my cd drive
2) since my cd drive no longer works, is it possible to get the drivers and reinstallation disks off another computer and run them somehow?

o and i am running a dell 2300 w/ p4 1.8 640 sd memory and windows xp sp1

 

[horris1st]

Have you got a netowrk, if you have u can map the the network drives and hay presto all should be fine. If you dont then maybe shove the files on a floppy or a removable USB stick?

 

[CacheUK]

Have you run an anti-virus program? You can download one for free from the downloads section of this website - or my personal favourite - the Avast antivirus program.

Im sure it is possible for viruses to disable both of the things mentioned - but i doubt one would do both.

If i were you i would:

1) Run an antivirus program
2) Run an anti Adware program (adaware or spybot)
3) Back up you files with either a USB memory key or onto the network or if you have managed to get the anti virus to get the CDR drive working with that.
4) Make a win98 boot disk
5) Run Fdisk and format the drives
6) Reinstall windows
7) replace files

I wouldnt bother with system restore etc - its never worked for me and the only real way for you to be sure about a clean disk is to completely reformat it.

I hope i have got the right idea!! Let me know if you need any more info.

 

[intercodes]

Elite,
I had problems with my dvd drive for no reason . It disappeared suddenly. But then I fixed it with the instructions given in this link.
Hope this helps for you reagarding the cd drive problem

http://www.theeldergeek.com/restore_missing_cd_or_dvd_drive.htm