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Vista problems

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 3:01 pm
by smack323
ok I "fixed" a friends Vista machine last week. Basically just got rid of virus/spyware. well he text me today and said his computer no longer works. This is a day after i had set the first virus scan. (I didnt have time when I was over). I think a virus might have messed with the registry and when it was removed crashed the system. I just wanted to see if you all might think the same.. I dont have anymore info as to what is happening. He is going to drop it off to me and i will check it out further. I am hoping all i will need to do is a repair install of Vista.

Secondly- he was thinking about upgrading to Win7- I have an extra copy I can install for him. I am wondering if i just do an upgrade install with the Vista being corrupt if it will still work and let me skip the whole Vista repair.

Re: Vista problems

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 9:56 pm
by Major_A
It's likely the virus attached itself to a system file or twenty and when the program removed it from the PC it borked the install.

Can you run a full install of Win 7 or is it an upgrade only disc? I would format the drive and only install 7 if you can.

Re: Vista problems

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 3:51 pm
by smack323
I can do a full install - but i was hoping to keep all the apps and data

Re: Vista problems

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:28 pm
by DaddyRabbit
The problem is that the apps and data might be the problem (or a nastly little rootkit hiding out). My experience is that the best way to clean a virus infected system is usually a clean wipe and re-install. Backup the "data" (i.e. pics, documents, non exes) and scrub the drive. You will most likely spend much less time re-installing than you will trying to fix a serious infection.

My 2 pennies

Re: Vista problems

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:31 am
by DMB2000uk
You have to launch the 'upgrade' installer from inside the old OS, so I don't think you'll be able to get away with upgrading it anyhow.

Slave the drive, and save the data, then flatten and re-install.

Stick a few decent security programs on there, give it him back then tell him to re-install everything because he should have been more careful with what he went on :snakeman:

Dan

Re: Vista problems

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 12:17 pm
by Major_A
From my own "my computer doesn't work" experiences lately I'll lay 10:1 that he has Limewire installed. I'm about to add all limewire links these people's host file. Do them and people like us a favor.

Re: Vista problems

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:21 pm
by areos
Did you ever get a chance to look your friend's computer again?