Diary of an XP full-reinstall.

[ainwood]

Virus-check hard-drive, and back-up data I want to keep.

Set PC to boot off CD-ROM, and boot with XP install disk.
Begin XP install. Elect to do a full format of HDD before install.
Get XP installed quickly. Boot to windows.
Install motherboard drivers. All going well.
Now need video card driver. Decide to download latest drivers.
Install modem driver, and set up account.
Connect to internet. Within 5 seconds I get "system messages" telling me that the registry is corrupted and to visit some website. Damn system message buffer over-run.
Decide to install critical updates from windows update before I do anything else.
This is a bit painful - need to update my "windows update" software first. Hangs a couple of times, but eventually I get it.
First download of critical updates hangs. Reboot and try again.
I've now had about 20 'system messages' with various variants on websites I need to visit to 'fix' my registry....
Finally get the critical updates installed. Great - system messages have stopped.
Its late. I decide to finish the install the next day - check online newspaper headlines - nothing interesting. Check on-line e-mail A/C - no messages.

Next day:

Log-on and start video driver downloading.
Decide to download my virus scanner engine at the same time.
Downloads finish. Install video drivers, and reboot.
Install virus scanner. Definitions file is about 2 years old (default install). Update definitions file.
Real-time scanner finds a virus! WHAT? In the total sum of maybean hour connected to the internet, downloading only two files (plus windows updates), I have a virus.
Decide to run a full system scan. Nope - I don't have one virus, I have 3!

Lesson: have virus-scanner with updated definitions on a back-up disk somewhere, and install it before connecting to the internet. Also install a firewall before connecting to the internet for the first time. If possible, a disk with WinXP SP2 to install before connecting to the internet would be advisable also.



Ignoring the "Lesson: Use Linux / MacOS etc" comments, of course

 

[Civrules]

Hey ainwood, we seem to be in the same boat. However my reinstall went pretty smoothly (it was a few days ago).

From now on I am going to be setting checkpoints at which I save my most important data (something I had not done before, because I was feeling overconfident).
The PC now runs like new, I think that it is kind of a good thing that I got to do a format.

...And luckily, no data was lost with that virus, even though it seemed like it at first.

 

[MarineCorps]

I won't ever run into this problem since I lent my CD to a kid 3 MONTHS ago.

 

[Civrules]

I won't ever run into this problem since I lent my CD to a kid 3 MONTHS ago.

Are you able to do a format without the CD (by pressing F# (depends on the computer)) right at startup?

 

[Chairman Meow]

Are you able to do a format without the CD (by pressing F# (depends on the computer)) right at startup?

Depends on the computer. Some manufacturers (usually the cheaper ones such as Emachines) have a disk image on a separate partition so that if you press F# at startup, then the disk image is written over the boot partition, returning the computer to its factory state. Note that if you delete the hidden partition, you're in a lot of trouble, as these machines usually don't come with a reinstall CD.

 

[MarineCorps]

Are you able to do a format without the CD (by pressing F# (depends on the computer)) right at startup?

I dunno. I bult my machine. I doubt it knowing my luck

 

[Chairman Meow]

I dunno. I bult my machine. I doubt it knowing my luck

No, it wouldn't work on your computer.

 

[MarineCorps]

No, it wouldn't work on your computer.

Figures. Not suprised.

 

[Comraddict]

ainwood, disable the messenger service

 

[Padma]

Insert Mandriva 2005LE CD #1, and reboot. At the initial screen, tell it to install. When it asks, tell it to reformat the Linux partition. Select the general packages I want (Internet station, Developer station, etc.) Then go through the specific package selections to tweak them for my desires. Twenty minutes later, I have a functional internet machine. Go online to the EasyURPMI site, and set my preferences. Do a full system update using the online sources (ain't broadband wonderful? ). An hour later, I have a fully up-to-date, secure system ready to do whatever I want.

Sorry, I just had to contrast my experience.

 

[MarineCorps]

Insert Mandriva 2005LE CD #1, and reboot. At the initial screen, tell it to install. When it asks, tell it to reformat the Linux partition. Select the general packages I want (Internet station, Developer station, etc.) Then go through the specific package selections to tweak them for my desires. Twenty minutes later, I have a functional internet machine. Go online to the EasyURPMI site, and set my preferences. Do a full system update using the online sources (ain't broadband wonderful? ). An hour later, I have a fully up-to-date, secure system ready to do whatever I want.

Sorry, I just had to contrast my experience.

I knew someone was going to do that. I also had a feeling it would be you.

(ain't broadband wonderful? ).

Yes. As I found out yesterday exactly how wonderful it is as I no longer have dial up.

 

[ainwood]

ainwood, disable the messenger service

Yes - I should have - good point.

All sorted now though.