Ongoing HD problem:

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

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP SP3, 160G hard drive with DSL
connection. I have
Windows Firewall(set to notify), Avira Antivirus, Spybot, Windows
Defender and Hive Cleanup.

I recently had some serious issues with my computer; this started when
MSN Live Msgr stopped signing on automatically, then my login
procedure was changed via remote assistance; and was told my MFT was
corrupted. I also became infected with a Trojan Horse virus which I
deleted but still resides on its host program.

With all these considerations it was felt that the best course of
action was to reinstall XP. I successfully did this using the recovery
CD provided by Dell by first deleting the (C:) partition and created a
new partition, formatted it, and reinstalled XP, then uploaded 30+
updates from Microsoft, including SP2 and SP3, and IE7 and MSN Live
Mail.Then created a System Restore point.

Even though the system has returned to somewhat normal operation I
decided to run a chkdsk to make sure. It found file problems and
suggested running a chkdsk /f which I've done several times but it
doesn't complete and hangs in step 2 of 3 (verifying indexes). I now
realize that I needed to format my HD to remove the Trojan Horse virus
and then reinstall XP. However there are some considerations.

I have a Seagate Baracuda 3.5 PATA/100 ST3160815A HD and intially I
started to check the HD using the CD from Seagate. I started to
download diagnostics from the CD when Avira caught a malware from the
CD! It says it contains HEUR/Malware Suspicious code so I cancelled
the process.

So my question is this; if I format my HD do I need this CD to install
any drivers? If so, then obviously I can't use this CD because of the
suspicious malware code and will probably require a new HD. If not,
can I install XP using the recovery disk or do I need a stock copy of
XP? If I need a stock copy is there a way to get it? Another point,
even if I did purchase a new HD I would still need to install XP
somehow.

I would appreciate any advice or suggestions.


Thanks,

Robert


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