scary

[BeeCeeBee]

I have just jumped on line for a minute or two and noticed your post and Plastic Nev's reply.

 

IF and only IF you want to spend a bit of money you should go to a computer shop and purchase an inexpensive USB portable hard drive. This will make saving and keeping files much easier and faster then burning them to disks and will assist you in backing up your files once you are up and running again.

 

I deal in Euros over here and got mine for about £50.00 It is not necessary that you do this but it would be helpful. Do not opt to spend more money for a bigger drive you will not need it.

 

If you do decide to go that route let us know and we will advise you on how to use it.

 

Also following up on what Plastic Nev asked, just describe what discs came with the computer. It is running Vista so it must be fairly new. Do you have any discs labeled Windows Vista or do they have the manufacturers name on them? Do they say something like only to be installed on specific brand of computer.

 

Finally I really do not know whether we are dealing with a PC or a laptop or what make and model. It does not make much difference but it would be helpful to know.

 

Who knows, maybe when this is all over you will lose your "beginner" status.:)

Edited November 23, 2008 by BeeCeeBee

[Platte_making_me_ill]

Strange. I just typed a reply and clicked Post Quick Reply. But it does not show.(where is it??)

 

I think I shall go to document and type , save , copy and paste into this.

[BeeCeeBee]

Well if that was your message it is here loud and clear! :)

I may take a while to show up with the problems you are facing.

[Platte_making_me_ill]

My Dell Inspiron 530 E4500 Core 2 Duo Processor 2.2 GHz, 800MHz FSB,2MB cache, which bought at 01/02/08, comes with

-Dell Drivers and Utilities For Reinstalling Dell Inspiron 530/530s

-Operating System Window Vista Home Premium 32BIT

-Microsoft Works 8.5

-Drivers and User Documentaion Dell SE198WFP LCD Flat Panel Monitor

-Roxio Creator & MyDVD 9.0DE

-Dell Tiscali

 

On the invoice :

-English Adobe Reader 8.1 (No Recovery CD)

-English McAfee 9.0 Security Centre 30 days trial Version (No Recovery CD)

 

I am using AOL 9.0VR which took me a lot of troubles to connect and running. I cannot remember which disks I used to install AOL. I have “AOL Broadband AOL version 9.0VR, AOL for Macintosh” and “Easy-install CD Insert now to install AOL Broadband”.

 

Also, using Speedtouch High-speed wirless router (never have a chance to try wireless because it’s slow and keeps disconnecting even wired). My 18-months contract will end in 3 months and I am going to change.

[Platte_making_me_ill]

I was trying to type the details of my computer in the first message but don't know where is the whole message gone.

 

Anyway, I manage to save all documents and photos in disk (I think). I shall buy the USB portable harddrive after I solve this out. Thanks for the advise.

[BeeCeeBee]

OK now in your post you listed 6 items all with hyphens. Do each of these items represent discs. Did you actually get 6 discs with your computer. I am going to just take a quick look at your mode.

[Platte_making_me_ill]

Yes I have six disks in my hands.

[BeeCeeBee]

OK now I want you to take a look at your owners manual (on my internet copy it would be page 100 or 101 and find a heading that says

 

Windows Vista: Dell Factory Image Restore

 

Read it carefull and just make certain that you understand what it is telling you to do because once you start it you will not be able to come back here for directions. There are a few other things so dont do anything but read the manual first.

[Platte_making_me_ill]

Sorry, where is this manual?

[BeeCeeBee]

It would be your printed owners mauual that came with the PC but wait because I noticed that you have your actual windows vista discs and we may be able to avoid a lot of trouble. What I want to do is work with a few others here at Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help to make certain that I do not forget anything when I give you advice on how to proceed.

 

These are our objectives

1. Get you a clean Vista system free of all viruses and Malware.

2. Get you back up and running on the internet

3. Make sure that you have installed good antivirus and malware protection before you start using the internet.

4. Make sure that your sytem has all the proper Updates. (You will lose the ones you have already downloaded.)

 

This may take me a while because once you start you will not be able to reach us unless you use another PC. So bear with me for a while and check back later in the day please.

[Platte_making_me_ill]

The documentations I have are

-Dell Computers and Monitors Product Informationg Guide

-Dell Monitors Product Information Guide

-contact phone numbers to Dell

 

That's all.

I tried Start , and tpye in Owner Manual but no results. ???

[Platte_making_me_ill]

Thank you again for all the "troubles". School run , so I need to log off.

[BeeCeeBee]

Hi Platte,

 

These are the instructions that you need to follow. Please make sure you print this because once you start you will not be able to come back here until you are finished.

 

I am using a process that is built into your Dell PC and should work. If for some reason it does not, I am going to suggest you take it to a shop with all of your discs and have it done from scratch. There is also the possibility that Dell will give you phone support.

 

That being said, this should work.

 

·Shut down your computer.

 

·Turn it back on.

 

·As soon as the Dell Logo comes on start tapping on the F8 key. (If windows continues to load let it and then shut down and try again)

 

·You should get to the Vista Advanced Boot Options Window.

·Select Repair your computer.

 

·The SYSTEMS RECOVERY OPTIONS window should appear.

You should select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR ( it is possible that you may have to select log on as a local user and then type in Administrator in the user name field and then click OK )

 

·Click DELL FACTORY IMAGE RESTORE. If you are not given that choice you may first have to click Dell factory image tools and then Dell Factory image restore. It is the same thing but varies from Dell to Dell.

 

·You will then see the DELL FACTORY IMAGE RESTORE WELCOME screen.

·Click NEXT

 

·You will come to a screen asking you to confirm the reformat or deletion. Click to confirm and then NEXT.

 

·The process should take about 5 minutes or more to complete. After it is done click FINISH and then restart the computer.

 

Once your computer has been restarted you will need to answer the Vista setup questions just as you did when it was new.

 

After that is all done reinstall your network from the disc ( not the one for Macintosh ) that your ISP gave you and you should be back on line. I see that you have not been using wireless and it is best that you do not try yet. That may present other difficulties for you.

 

DO NOT PUT ANY OF YOUR OLD DATA BACK INTO YOUR PC UNTIL YOU ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED.

 

Once you are back on line do your Windows Critical Updates like you did before and come back to us we will then guide you through the process of making sure you have sufficient anti virus and anti malware protection.

 

Once that is all in place you can use them to scan everything on the discs you made and then you will be able to safely move them back on to your computer.

 

Good luck!

Edited November 24, 2008 by BeeCeeBee

[Platte_making_me_ill]

Windows Critical Updates ? Control Panel, Window Updates, Install Updates, Apply. Then "The updates were successfully installed . More Upsates are available." Then the Norton Security Scan comes up. Can I just click the X box to leave it?

 

 

 

Hi Platte,

 

These are the instructions that you need to follow. Please make sure you print this because once you start you will not be able to come back here until you are finished.

 

I am using a process that is built into your Dell PC and should work. If for some reason it does not, I am going to suggest you take it to a shop with all of your discs and have it done from scratch. There is also the possibility that Dell will give you phone support.

 

That being said, this should work.

 

·Shut down your computer.

 

·Turn it back on.

 

·As soon as the Dell Logo comes on start tapping on the F8 key. (If windows continues to load let it and then shut down and try again)

 

·You should get to the Vista Advanced Boot Options Window.

·Select Repair your computer.

 

·The SYSTEMS RECOVERY OPTIONS window should appear.

You should select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR ( it is possible that you may have to select log on as a local user and then type in Administrator in the user name field and then click OK )

 

·Click DELL FACTORY IMAGE RESTORE. If you are not given that choice you may first have to click Dell factory image tools and then Dell Factory image restore. It is the same thing but varies from Dell to Dell.

 

·You will then see the DELL FACTORY IMAGE RESTORE WELCOME screen.

·Click NEXT

 

·You will come to a screen asking you to confirm the reformat or deletion. Click to confirm and then NEXT.

 

·The process should take about 5 minutes or more to complete. After it is done click FINISH and then restart the computer.

 

Once your computer has been restarted you will need to answer the Vista setup questions just as you did when it was new.

 

After that is all done reinstall your network from the disc ( not the one for Macintosh ) that your ISP gave you and you should be back on line. I see that you have not been using wireless and it is best that you do not try yet. That may present other difficulties for you.

 

DO NOT PUT ANY OF YOUR OLD DATA BACK INTO YOUR PC UNTIL YOU ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED.

 

Once you are back on line do your Windows Critical Updates like you did before and come back to us we will then guide you through the process of making sure you have sufficient anti virus and anti malware protection.

 

Once that is all in place you can use them to scan everything on the discs you made and then you will be able to safely move them back on to your computer.

 

Good luck!

[BeeCeeBee]

Windows Critical Updates ? Control Panel, Window Updates, Install Updates, Apply. Then "The updates were successfully installed . More Upsates are available." Then the Norton Security Scan comes up. Can I just click the X box to leave it?

I am not at all sure why you wrote that or why you copied my entire post and added it here.

 

Please explain.

[Platte_making_me_ill]

When I click quick reply, this window comes up. I did not choose this.

 

 

I did manage to "reborn" (restall?) my computer and do the Window Updates (Wow, nearly an hour.) I did not install any disks come with the computer yet. I only install AOL (which took long time, too).

 

 

 

 

I am not at all sure why you wrote that or why you copied my entire post and added it here.

 

Please explain.

[BeeCeeBee]

I apologise, I misundertsood. The items are what you see after you did the format. If that is correct you did a good job. You do not need to use any of the discs just keep them. This avoided the need to do that.

 

If you want you can go back to the Windows update site and see if there are more. There is one specifically called "Service Pack 1" that you should have. It was probably one of the ones you already downloaded.

 

Yes just check to get out of the Norton for now. We will attack the security issues next time

 

Good work.

Edited November 24, 2008 by BeeCeeBee

[Platte_making_me_ill]

No need to apologise. I still get into this message format insteat of the one without quoting.(?)

 

 

There is a button a the bottom for more updates. So I clicked it. I checked "Veiw update history" and " View availabe updates" but can't find Service Pack 1. (?)

 

 

 

 

 

I apologise, I misundertsood. The items are what you see after you did the format. If that is correct you did a good job. You do not need to use any of the discs just keep them. This avoided the need to do that.

 

If you want you can go back to the Windows update site and see if there are more. There is one specifically called "Service Pack 1" that you should have. It was probably one of the ones you already downloaded.

 

Yes just check to get out of the Norton for now. We will attack the security issues next time

 

Good work.

[BeeCeeBee]

Don't worry about it. Just go back to your security center in control panel and make sure that you have set the Automatic Updates to ON. Set a time for the updates. If you are not on line at the time set it will do it when you are on next.

[Platte_making_me_ill]

There are more Important updates, so I clicked install.

 

In Security Center : Firewall On, Automatic Update On, Malware Protect On, Other Security settings OK.

 

"You have Windows set to : Automatically install new updates every day at 3:00 (recommended)" is set in the window. It does not seem to have option to change it. Can I leave it to 3am? So it shall update when i switch the computer on, right?

 

 

 

Don't worry about it. Just go back to your security center in control panel and make sure that you have set the Automatic Updates to ON. Set a time for the updates. If you are not on line at the time set it will do it when you are on next.

[BeeCeeBee]

You are correct.

[Platte_making_me_ill]

Am I safe to install Microsoft Works 8.5? Is my computer protected now? And am I safe to go to other websites such as yahoo.com or learndirect.co.uk?

 

 

 

You are correct.

[BeeCeeBee]

Hi Platte

 

1. Microsft works is always safe.

2. There are some security measures you should take before you start surfing.

 

Unless you are going to pay for subscriptions I would go back to control Panel and then click ""add or remove programs" and delete any programs that says Norton or Symantic or just use this

 

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool or both to be sure.

 

Then read this

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/malware-removal-av-firewalls-etc/3597-free-pc-help-recommended-security-products.html

 

Select only one of the antivirus programs and click on it and follow directions to install.

 

Then select the first 2 anti malware programs (since you have already used them) and do the same.

 

I would also suggest the McAffee Siteadvisor at the bottom of the page for safer surfing.

 

Once they are installed you should scan all your old files with each of them to make sure you do not put back anything that caused you trouble before. If you do not know how to use them please ask after they are installed.

Edited November 25, 2008 by BeeCeeBee

[Platte_making_me_ill]

At Add /Remove programs cannot find any Norton or Symantic programs.

 

Click the Norton Removal Tool, I do not know which product to choose and click to run.

 

So I did not delete any Norton or Symantic programs.

 

I am going to install the antivirus program.

 

Thanks for everythings.

[Platte_making_me_ill]

Got to go (Doctor appointment). Will come back to finish the installation of SUPER Anti Spyware. Do I need to run this every day to activate the protecteion?