Re: Virus Attack! Should I get a new computer?

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Bruce Chambers (bchambers_at_nospamcableone.net)
Date: 04/02/04 

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2004 15:09:05 -0700

Greetings --

    You're kidding, right? Buy a new computer when it takes only a
few minutes for any decent anti-virus application to remove viruses?
And what makes you think that there's been some sort of damage done to
your hard drive? No virus can cause physical damage to a hard drive.
Even formatting a hard drive to remove a virus is rather like using an
axe to trim one's fingernails: excessive in the extreme.

    Because many of the newer viruses and worms, such as the
Spybot mentioned above, can disable antivirus applications whose
definitions aren't kept up-to-date, try using one or more of the free
on-line scanners to double-check your system.

Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

McAfee Security - FreeScan
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp

Bruce Chambers 

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"US Colorprint" <toonsign@hotmail.com> wrote in message 
news:F2F2673E-AA65-4E9A-83BA-8368910D389B@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> My virus program failed to catch the new virus. It won't let McAfee 
> scan...Outlook Express: When U try to open my e-mails, only 8-9 will 
> be loaded then stop. When I delete the 8-9 e-mails, they are deleted 
> and then automatically replaced with the same e-mails.
>
> I have a mess!!!
>
> Should I buy a new computer? I assume that the current hard drive is 
> not salvageable so if I buy a new hard drive, how would I get 
> Windows XP Home Edition back onto it?
>
> Should I reformat this hard drive that is infected? If so, how can I 
> get the operating system back?
>
> My Outlook express has been sending out viruses to everyone. My ISP 
> (Cox.net) shut down my internet access and e-mail. After 
> investigating, they allowed me a limited time to be online to try to 
> get help, so, in case I get shut down again, please e-mail your 
> answer to toonsign@hotmail.com
>
> I eagerly await your answer.
>
> The virus, when scanned showed a file in the 
> Windows/System32/hallowelt.exe as being the infected/virus.
>
> Thanking you in advance.
>
> Fred
>
>

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