Re-loading XP

[Guest peeaytch]

I've had to re-load XP a couple times over the past few years due to

virus/spyware problems I couln't resolve. My question is, does doing this

erase all errors on the drive and or registry? I ask because after my latest

re-install, I was getting pop-ups telling me that my registry was corrupt,

and that I should visit such-and-such website to correct it. This happened

while trying to re-load DSL software from a CD. Is there a fix or is this PC

doomed? Would a new hard drive take care of this? Any help is appreciated.

[Guest Patrick Keenan]

Re: Re-loading XP

 

"peeaytch" <peeaytch@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:AE6C529A-7CF8-441A-9BD4-2DAFDB46C482@microsoft.com...

> I've had to re-load XP a couple times over the past few years due to

> virus/spyware problems I couln't resolve. My question is, does doing this

> erase all errors on the drive and or registry? I ask because after my

> latest

> re-install, I was getting pop-ups telling me that my registry was corrupt,

> and that I should visit such-and-such website to correct it. This

> happened

> while trying to re-load DSL software from a CD. Is there a fix or is this

> PC

> doomed? Would a new hard drive take care of this? Any help is

> appreciated.

 

It depends on what you mean by "re-load".

 

A Repair install uses the existing registry - that's why you don't have to

re-create user accounts or reinstall programs - and so registry problems

*are not fixed*. It it was broken before, it will still be broken after.

 

A Clean install starts with wiping the drive, requires recreation of user

accounts and reinstallation of applications. A brand-new registry is

created.

 

If you're getting popups saying that your registry is corrupt that direct

you to a website, your system is infected with adware. And that's the kind

of thing a Repair install won't address.

 

As to loading DSL software, you probably don't need that at all, especially

if you have a router.

 

HTH

-pk

[Guest John John (MVP)]

Re: Re-loading XP

 

These are probably Messenger Spam pop-ups. With "always on" internet

connections it may be prudent to physically disconnect the cable from

the internet while you format the drive and reinstall Windows, only

connect the cable after Windows is properly installed and secured, make

sure that your firewall is turned on before you connect to the internet

or else you will get unwanted pests within minutes of connecting to the

net. There is no need to replace your hard drive, it wouldn't make any

difference. When you format the drive before re-installing Windows

there will be no leftovers from the old installation.

 

John

 

peeaytch wrote:

> I've had to re-load XP a couple times over the past few years due to

> virus/spyware problems I couln't resolve. My question is, does doing this

> erase all errors on the drive and or registry? I ask because after my latest

> re-install, I was getting pop-ups telling me that my registry was corrupt,

> and that I should visit such-and-such website to correct it. This happened

> while trying to re-load DSL software from a CD. Is there a fix or is this PC

> doomed? Would a new hard drive take care of this? Any help is appreciated.

[Guest Alias]

Re: Re-loading XP

 

John John (MVP) wrote:

> These are probably Messenger Spam pop-ups. With "always on" internet

> connections it may be prudent to physically disconnect the cable from

> the internet while you format the drive and reinstall Windows

 

Either that or use a router with a hard firewall enabled.

 

Alias

, only

> connect the cable after Windows is properly installed and secured, make

> sure that your firewall is turned on before you connect to the internet

> or else you will get unwanted pests within minutes of connecting to the

> net. There is no need to replace your hard drive, it wouldn't make any

> difference. When you format the drive before re-installing Windows

> there will be no leftovers from the old installation.

>

> John

>

> peeaytch wrote:

>

>> I've had to re-load XP a couple times over the past few years due to

>> virus/spyware problems I couln't resolve. My question is, does doing

>> this erase all errors on the drive and or registry? I ask because

>> after my latest re-install, I was getting pop-ups telling me that my

>> registry was corrupt, and that I should visit such-and-such website to

>> correct it. This happened while trying to re-load DSL software from a

>> CD. Is there a fix or is this PC doomed? Would a new hard drive take

>> care of this? Any help is appreciated.

[Guest peeaytch]

Re: Re-loading XP

 

Thanks, Patrick. I did initially try a repair install, and as you say, it

did little to fix anything. But I also did a full install after that. IE

won't connect to my DSL. That's why I was trying to re-load the software and

encountered the problems. It leads me to believe that even after a full

re-install, there are still registry problems. Any other suggestions?

 

"Patrick Keenan" wrote:

> "peeaytch" <peeaytch@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:AE6C529A-7CF8-441A-9BD4-2DAFDB46C482@microsoft.com...

> > I've had to re-load XP a couple times over the past few years due to

> > virus/spyware problems I couln't resolve. My question is, does doing this

> > erase all errors on the drive and or registry? I ask because after my

> > latest

> > re-install, I was getting pop-ups telling me that my registry was corrupt,

> > and that I should visit such-and-such website to correct it. This

> > happened

> > while trying to re-load DSL software from a CD. Is there a fix or is this

> > PC

> > doomed? Would a new hard drive take care of this? Any help is

> > appreciated.

>

> It depends on what you mean by "re-load".

>

> A Repair install uses the existing registry - that's why you don't have to

> re-create user accounts or reinstall programs - and so registry problems

> *are not fixed*. It it was broken before, it will still be broken after.

>

> A Clean install starts with wiping the drive, requires recreation of user

> accounts and reinstallation of applications. A brand-new registry is

> created.

>

> If you're getting popups saying that your registry is corrupt that direct

> you to a website, your system is infected with adware. And that's the kind

> of thing a Repair install won't address.

>

> As to loading DSL software, you probably don't need that at all, especially

> if you have a router.

>

> HTH

> -pk

>

>

[Guest Daave]

Re: Re-loading XP

 

"peeaytch" <peeaytch@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:0703FDCF-2390-495A-AFEB-A29E06B3993A@microsoft.com...

> Thanks, Patrick. I did initially try a repair install, and as you

> say, it

> did little to fix anything. But I also did a full install after that.

> IE

> won't connect to my DSL. That's why I was trying to re-load the

> software and

> encountered the problems. It leads me to believe that even after a

> full

> re-install, there are still registry problems. Any other suggestions?

 

If it's a clean install and if it's SP1 or earlier, you are probably

getting Messenger Service spam (which means your registry is fine). All

you need to do is enable the Windows firewall, which happens

automatically if you upgrade to SP2 or SP3. More info:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330904

 

You will see that there is a temporary "workaround": disabling Messenger

Service (not necessarily a bad idea). But it's more important to make

sure you have a working firewall enabled for much better security.

 

Also see "How to turn on or turn off the firewall in Windows XP":

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673

[Guest Pete Puma]

Re: Re-loading XP

 

peeaytch wrote:

> I've had to re-load XP a couple times over the past few years due to

> virus/spyware problems I couln't resolve. My question is, does doing this

> erase all errors on the drive and or registry? I ask because after my

> latest re-install, I was getting pop-ups telling me that my registry was

> corrupt,

> and that I should visit such-and-such website to correct it. This happened

> while trying to re-load DSL software from a CD. Is there a fix or is this

> PC

> doomed? Would a new hard drive take care of this? Any help is

> appreciated.

 

By any chance is this a laptop with 2 drives (one where data is kept for

re-installing XP, etc?)

 

--

A successful [software] tool is one that was used to do something

undreamed of by its author.

-- S. C. Johnson

[Guest HeyBub]

Re: Re-loading XP

 

peeaytch wrote:

> I've had to re-load XP a couple times over the past few years due to

> virus/spyware problems I couln't resolve. My question is, does doing

> this erase all errors on the drive and or registry? I ask because

> after my latest re-install, I was getting pop-ups telling me that my

> registry was corrupt, and that I should visit such-and-such website

> to correct it. This happened while trying to re-load DSL software

> from a CD. Is there a fix or is this PC doomed? Would a new hard

> drive take care of this? Any help is appreciated.

 

The message is coming from a bit of malware and is lying.

 

Before anything else, get the infestation off your computer using the

available malware (virus, trojan, adware, etc.) tools.