How do you know if your computer is dead for good?

[Booner72]

Hi, All.  We have a Dell desktop that is from 2008.  About 2 years ago my brother got a virus and we took it into the shop and paid over 200 but never got fully rid of the virus.  It's this 'FAKE' virus thing - when it's bad, as it was before we took it to the shop and since the DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS! it blocks your ability to get online.  It seems to have spread into documents, can't open music, pics, anything.  After it came back from the shop, it worked "okay" but you could still see the little logo for the virus and sometimes it would pop up, but I'd get AVG to stop it.  The AVG lady I talked to the other day came onto my computer and said "no worries, no worries, i get rid of these five times a day."  Well, 20 minutes later, "It will be 169 to get rid of it and that comes with a one year guarantee".......

Hate sending my money to India when it could go to a local shop.

Anyway, I'm sitting her typing on an hp laptop that I got at walmart for 397.   First laptop and it seems so tiny.   We needed 2nd computer anyway as we have two boys..

but my question is :  Is it worth it to try to have someone really get rid of that virus or is it time to hang it up? 

[andyaycw]

Booner, please check your PMs. I used to work as a computer technician and run across this all the time. It is not worth spending that much money to get it fixed.

[Lel]

IMO, you might as well take the plunge and purchase a new desktop system.  $170 will get you almost halfway to a basic new system which will likely still be much more powerful than your current computer.  You can also save a few bucks by buying just the tower and continuing to use your current monitor.

Just don't transfer anything from the old computer to the new one.  You never know where the virus might be hiding.

[andyaycw]

Hate to say this, but they are really overcharging you for the virus removal. Please try running that Malwarebytes program. It's hard to say without actually having the infected system in front of me to diagnose, but it's been one of the more effective tools that I've used back when I was fixing computers and I have high hopes that it would fix the problem.

Please let us know how it turns out!

ETA: I would also try running the scan in Safe Mode.

[Booner72]

Andy - Thanks - I got your PM.  You are so nice to help me out with that info.

We did safemode and it didn't do any good.  Still totally infected.  Not sure how I would install Malware bytes from new computer to old computer - as lel said, what if old infects the new?

Lel, I agree w/ you about just tossing it.  New laptop for now to get buy, and need to buy a new tower - that is what we were thinking of doing, too.

Sure would be nice to keep that one running as long as we can, though.  BIG BUMMER!

[Edited to remove a typo that resulted in an inadvertently unfortunate word. - Lel]

[KingAdrock]

I don't know how valuble the data on that comp was to you, but worst case you can always just wipe the hard drive clean. Reinstall the OS and it's good as new.

[Booner72]

I don't know if I kept everything that it came with - I'm assuming OS is Operating System?  And that would be Windows 7?

How do you wipe?

[CribDuchess]

Did that pc come with a system restore cd?  Some computers do and some don't.  If it did, use that to restore it to factory settings as it will completely wipe and start new.

I have a laptop that I bought almost 5 years ago and I never had a problem with virus's until my hubby started using it.  He started using it about a year ago and within weeks he had managed to get it infected (ugh!).  Used the system restore disc to wipe the laptop and restore to factory.  Unfortunately, he kept getting virus's on it and after dealing with that for 6-months I just went out and bought a new laptop for myself and let him have my old one.  He has gotten pretty good at restoring to factory settings (I think he does it weekly lol).  He is not allowed to use my new laptop or our son's desktop.  He means well, but he is very technically challenged.

[Booner72]

Hi, cribduchess.....wonder what kinda sites hubby's up to!  wink wink  I'm pretty sure we got the virus initially when my bro was looking up naughty things.  So that was the end of any of that at our house.  My husband complains  "What's the use of having the internet if you can't even use it!"

Anyway, I STUIPDLY STUPIDLY threw away all factory restore settings when we moved.  I wish I still had them!!

[CribDuchess]

Hi Booner

Hahaha....yeah I'm sure he does sneak a peak at some naughty sites!  I did tell him that I will know as I have a way of tracking everywhere he goes on the web so he better be good. LOL  But he has gotten some tips from the IT dept where he works and I'm sure he has learned to cover up his tracks!  I never bothered to check up on him anyway.  But he always falls for the free screensavers and other garbage.  He is the type to click on the ads and whatnot, but I think he is getting smarter about it.

You might be able to purchase the system restore disc (or maye even download for free?) from the manufacturer.  I know Toshiba (both laptops we have are Toshiba) sells their system restore discs.  Definitely cheaper than taking it in to some place for reformatting/repair.