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General discussion

About my Dell Optiplex GX280

Feb 2, 2010 3:12AM PST

Week before last I had one of those viruses that change your screen color and put warning boxes and constantly open up pop ups. I got rid of the this and am now having a number of problems. I have tried all of the latest versions of the trojan, virus, and malware removal software.

My system restore has only worked once in the 11 months that I have had the machine, now my computer will no longer go into safemode, to use that system restore.

I can no longer install or uninstall software from a disc, because from what the message says something is wrong with both my installer and my uninstaller.

About 10 to 15 minutes after I start my computer, I get the message:

"This system is shutting down in 60 seconds. Please save all work in progress.and log off. Any unsaved changes will be lost.
This shutdown was initiated by NT ATHORITY\SYSTEM

Time before shutdown (then a 60 second count down clock)

Windows must now restart because the DCOM Server Process Launcher service terminated unexpectedly"
A very nice person helped gave me the temporary solution to stopping the shutdown by entering "shutdown -a" in the run box.

Every time I open a new webpage by clicking on my shortcuts, I get an extra webpage a few seconds later. Most of the pages are for various surveys from a company called WebsiteSurveyGroup.com. Sometimes the page is for some virus remover, once it was some supposed anti-virus software that was trying to load on my machine. I did not let it load

All of my search engines are no longer working properly. After I enter the search, they offer me all of the expected links, but after clicking the links I get redirected to the wrong site.

Sorry for the tirade.

I think I should reinstall my operating system. What can I safely backup, I haven't done backup for 2 months. I still have the backup discs from then. I can live without the stuff, but would rather have it. It is just emails from family, some DVD coverart that I did, some recipes, and my favorites list. Is there likely to be any sort of UGLY in my documents?

I haven't reinstalled the operating system in this machine yet, I usually only do that once a year. and am not exactly sure about this machine. My old computer had a disc that automatically reformatted and reinstalled the system to origial condition. I'm not sure if this disc reformats, before it reinstalls. Is there an easy safe way to tell which type of disc this is? Also, is there a difference in reformatting and reinstalling between ME and XP.

I don't really want to do this because I had everything just the way I wanted it, but it just isn't right. I would deeply appreciate any help you can offer.
Thanks
kzolady

Discussion is locked

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Follow along.
Feb 2, 2010 6:28AM PST
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About reformatting and reinstalling the system
Feb 2, 2010 7:58AM PST

How can I tell if my install disc will reformat the system? My disc for my MicronPC computer did that automatically. If not, how do I reformat this system. I am using XP Pro SP3
Is there anyway to tell what I can safely backup some of my documents. I haven't done a backup for 2 months, and would like to have this stuff. I backup on DVD. Is there software that will scan my DVD backup to check for any UGLIES (Viruses, spyware, Malware, trojans)?
Thanks
kzolady

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At dell.com
Feb 2, 2010 1:56PM PST
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Where is the service tag number
Feb 2, 2010 9:34PM PST

I got this machine used from an office. I think it is called off lease?
My files that are not backed up are not lost. I can put them on a DVD. I just don't want to risk reinfecting my computer if they are infected. I want some software to put on the reformatted computer that will check the new backup discs for Uglies before I put them back in.
These are mainly emails and coverart that I altered for my DVDs, and recipies, all saved on word documents. There are also coverart JPEG files, and one piece of downloaded software that I purchased a while ago and for some stupid reason did not backup.

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Follow along.
Feb 2, 2010 11:48PM PST
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Maybe I just don't understand.
Feb 4, 2010 9:08PM PST

I read the Dell information for reinstalling the operating system and drivers.

It says a whole lot of things, including:
"NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling Windows XP. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so."

And
"NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, disable any virus protection software installed on your computer before you reinstall Windows XP. See the documentation that came with the software for instructions."

BTW I did not get any documentation with my software.

Is there a way to reformat the drive to do a clean install? As I stated before I used to do this anually with my MicronPC and the disc automatically got rid of all of the old information and reinstalled the operating system to it's original condition. (I have never had to reinstall the drivers.) I don't mind reinstalling the programs that I want.

I have the reinstall XP disk and the necessary drivers. I found out the order of reinstalling the drivers. I am in the process of making backup copies of the various files that I want.
I am just a a loss, about how to overwrite or erase all the old information, and would appreciate this information.
Thanks
kzolady

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how to overwrite or erase all the old information,
Feb 5, 2010 12:07AM PST

Let's say you know how to clean install the OS. But want a blank drive.

Google these and be sure no hard drive or memory stick with data you can't lose is attached when you use them.

DBAN
KILLDISK

Bob

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Thanks
Feb 5, 2010 1:11AM PST

I will try, but one of the things I sort of lost in the infection was my search engins. They are there. They bring up the links. When I click on the links, they get hijacked. I really miss my Google and Bing.

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Thanks again
Feb 5, 2010 1:34AM PST

I searched both of these in cnet downloads. I think using DBAN on autonuke will work just fine.

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Support
Feb 5, 2010 3:12PM PST

Support your buddy ~

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One last question ( I hope)
Feb 7, 2010 5:00AM PST

Is it a good idea to reinstall the original hardware in my computer? I always did that with my previous computer. I still have the cd drive and usb keyboard that came with it. I think I still remember how to change the master/slave setup.
Thanks

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Something I never did.
Feb 7, 2010 6:32AM PST

Unless there is a reason for the old pieces they are left in the basement spare parts closet.
Bob

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Thanks for all of your help
Feb 10, 2010 1:08PM PST

The reason I asked about reinstalling the original equipment is that I had to put in software for the new stuff and don't know if the drivers etc are available in the original setup.
Around noon today Windows downloaded the latest updates and crashed the system. I was able to do Windows XP repair from the disc. My Internet Explorer would not work until I managed to download all of the Windows updates. Now for some reason, everything is working. I am not getting the extra windows when I open my Internet Explorer. The machine no longer trys to shut itself down after about 15 minutes. I can install and uninstall programs. I can get into safemode and the system restore is working. My regular System Restore is working and it only worked once in the 11 months I've had the machine.
I'm sort of in shock. I will still download the program for cleaning the system and do my backups, but really hate to do my reformat/reinstall. Think I might wait a few months and just enjoy having everything work right.