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Start from fresh

 

On some occasions, the damage to the operating system is so great that even if you remove every piece of spyware from your computer, the system is not quite the same. You may still get error messages, windows that should bring up a list of items just show white space, can't right-click, can't open certain windows, etc.

There may be fixes for some of the damage and you can try to repair them if it's just one or two things but they can't always be fixed. Even if they could, there may be too much to do. Some problems may be very difficult and longwinded, if not impossible to repair. In such cases, as a last resort, you can choose to reformat and reload your operating system.

Also, if you have nothing on the computer that you need, a quicker and less painful solution to remove spyware is to install Windows from

 

    

fresh. A fresh install of Windows will also mean that your computer will be like a new computer. Even if your system is clean of spyware, if it has a lot of programs installed and requires a lot a lot of maintenance, a clean install would also be a solution.

Backup your files

If you haven't done it already, copy all the files you want to keep to disc or an external drive.

 

Fresh Install

Spyware only affects software, so you do not need to buy anything, assuming you already have the operating system CD. You will need the following

 

  • Operating System CD (and system driver CD) OR Recovery CD
  • Working CD/DVD-ROM drive

 

The Operating System CD is the installation CD for Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP. With most current systems, you will also need to install drivers from a driver CD that either came with the machine, or the components. Some older systems would be able to use the drivers built into Windows XP.

If you plan to perform a 'fresh install' of Windows and you do not have the driver CDs, then you will need to download the drivers from the Internet. Search your system or component manufacturer's website for the latest drivers. Most PC system manufacturers will let you download drivers in their 'downloads' or 'support' section. Once you have the driver that would enable you to access the Internet (i.e. network card or USB modem driver), you would be able to download any other component's drivers later.

 

 

Note:

If you do not have the driver CDs or a spare PC with Internet access, you will need to download the network/modem driver before you reformat and install from the Operating System CD. Otherwise, you will leave yourself without a means to find and install drivers to get your system fully up and running.

 

 

Recovery CD

The Recovery CD restores the system to the pre-installed state (state when you bought the PC). This will include all drivers as well as some extra software from the manufacturer and their partners.

If your PC is a pre-built and branded PC (i.e. Dell, HP, etc) but you never received an Operating System or Recovery disc with it, then refer to the documentation that came with the system or contact the manufacturer. There may be a Recovery image stored on a separate partition on your hard drive.

 

Boot from CD

To begin reinstalling Windows from fresh or restoring Windows from a System CD, you will need to boot from the CD. You may need to access your system's BIOS (CMOS) settings to change the boot sequence to boot from CD first. This involves rebooting and then hitting the 'Delete' key (some systems vary). Read the POST (black and white screen at start up) for instructions to 'Enter Setup'. If unsure, check your system's documentation.

When ready, reboot with the CD in the drive and when your system displays the message "Press on key to boot from CD..." (or similar), press any key to begin the process.

 

Install Windows from fresh

Follow the instructions on screen.

  1. To set up Windows XP, press ENTER
  2. Agree to license agreement
  3. To set up Windows XP on the selected item, press ENTER.
  4. Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick)
  5. Wait for format to complete
  6. Wait for files to copy over
  7. Restart computer
  8. Wait for installation to finish
  9. Set up location and keyboard layout
  10. Enter Name and Organization
  11. Enter product key (usually found on PC case)
  12. Enter computer name and password if required
  13. Set date, time and Time Zone
  14. Use Typical settings for networking
  15. Complete final steps

Once complete, you will need to install your drivers. Once that's complete, your system is up and running again.

 

Restore from Recovery CD

Boot from CD, then simply follow the instructions on screen to restore your Windows. Once completed, there will not be a need to install drivers as those will have been installed from the restore. See documentation included with your PC if unsure.

 

<< Back

 

1. Introduction

2. Do you have spyware?

3. Preparing to remove spyware

4. Software downloads

5. Use spyware removal tools

6. Manually Delete spyware > > Page 1 2

7. The Windows Registry

8. Start from fresh

9. Restore your settings

10. How to prevent spyware

11. Glossary