Is it a good idea?

[kristopherb]

My brother might have a accidently installed a virus on my computer. Windows defender doesn't work and i keep on getting "your computer is infected" form the toolbar on the bottom right. The computer is full of unwanted stuff so will it be a good idea to system restore. I'm guessing that restores the computer to what it was when it was new am i right?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

System Restore restores it to the last time the computer/you created a save point. It might have been when it was new or it might have been after the virus got on the computer. The only surefire way to get the computer like new is to format the HDD and reinstall Windows.

That or try an antivirus. Windows Defender isnt one. Maybe something like Avast or AVG ( free ) or NOD32 (not free).

 

[Cutlass]

According to Official Microsoft Trainers, format c: is the correct response to bad Windows problems Save your files, format the hard drive and do a complete reinstall.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

According to Official Microsoft Trainers, format c: is the correct response to bad Windows problems Save your files, format the hard drive and do a complete reinstall.

Official Microsoft Trainers are a bit off then. You can't format your system drive while you're booted off it.
/nag

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

It could also be the WinFixer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WinFixer

 

[lndm]

You can't format your system drive while you're booted off it.
/nag

Disagree. That sounds like a Windows safety-net procedure.

/nag, also

 

[Cutlass]

Official Microsoft Trainers are a bit off then. You can't format your system drive while you're booted off it.
/nag

So don't boot off it. You can format the C drive from any windows CD

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Or make your own boot disk. Make sure you have the license key before trying to reinstall, though.

 

[kristopherb]

I'm not a computer geek yet.
I've found out more about this virus. It has set my home page to google. And every time i use google it sends me to a site i don't need and has a bit of relavance but not the site i wanted to see.

 

[lndm]

OK, so this may not be the most evil virus out there, (delete your civ save games and call your house and hang up when your GF answers), but formatting and reinstalling is the best thing you can do. Apart from eliminating the intruder, windows just feels better sometimes (quicker startup, more responsive). It shouldn't take you an hour after you put all your stuff on to a thumb drive (don't forget your savegames ).

 

[Genocidicbunny]

OK, so this may not be the most evil virus out there, (delete your civ save games and call your house and hang up when your GF answers), but formatting and reinstalling is the best thing you can do. Apart from eliminating the intruder, windows just feels better sometimes (quicker startup, more responsive). It shouldn't take you an hour after you put all your stuff on to a thumb drive (don't forget your savegames ).

It only takes an hour when you dont have a lot of stuff to install or copy.

Personally, I'd need to back up a looot of data to be ready for a format, which would easily eat an entire day.

Well, its coming soon anyways.

 

[illram]

I'd reformat as a last resort only. Try various anti-virus and anti-malware programs such as avg, avast, MBAM, etc. It doesn't sound like it's that bad of a virus, or trojan or whatever you have there. I've had a two very bad viruses/trojans in my many years of computing and never had to resort to a full reformat, it can be a pain to reinstall everything.