A technical question

4

4xchampncountin

Guest
Dell says I need to run a complete system restore on my computer as even McAfee can not completely remove the damage done by these viruses.

I am currently running Windows XP that came on my Dell last year. I really don't like the system at all. Spyware is a horable invention.

I would like to run a restore program using Windows 98 instead. I have a 98 recovery disc.

Can I do that?
 
I would think you could 4X. There will be something in the process that will ask you if you want to format. I'm pretty sure your DELL came with XP using the NTSF file format so you would need to format your drive to FAT32 for 98 to work. Now I have a question for you. Did DELL include any disk utilities diskettes when you got your computer? If they did (might be 3.5" floppy or a CD) you might want to check it out. I know Western Digital has a great utility disk (floppy) that has a utility that lets you write zeros to every sector on your drive, then you can format it from the same diskett. You might want to go through that exercise before you install your Win98. It takes a really long time depending on your hard disk size (mine's 80 gigs and took my about 3 or 4 hrs...but I was using a floppy which is quite a bit slower than a CD). If you have a virus or worm it's very much worth the time. Do that, format and then install your Win 98. Good luck. :)
 
4X. I forgot one important thing. If you do write zeros to your drive you will need to use the disk you used to write those zeros to format. Your Win98 restore will probably not see the drive when you go to install. Writing zeros is the same as a "low level" format.........or "wiping your disk". Look over that disk first before you do anything. Make sure you can format from it. It's a disk for your hard drive and it will be able to see it.

I panicked the first time I wrote zeros and tried to install my OS..........Windows just did not see the drive!! :D Put the floppy back in and it was there. :D :D

The reason I suggest writing zeros is to remove any remnants of the virus............or any other old data garbage you might have collected. It'll make you computer sing like a lark (until it gets all bogged down again with crap data!! :( ) It's easy. Time comsuming and scarey when you do it for the first time, but worth the effort.
 
I've never done the zero thing. I just run fdisk then delete all partitions and then make new ones then I reformat. If your win98 is a restore for another computer you might run into problems. Do you have a disk for all your drivers on it? Like for your vid card or sound card. If the are onboard which means they are part of the motherboard you will need drivers for you board.
 
I don't own a store bought computer so Kill Switch could be right about not having the necessary drivers if much of your stuff is "on board"........and most of it probably is. But do a Google search for "Belarc Adviser" and down load it (the free program is plenty for what you will need, though they do have a commercial version which is not free). Run the program and it will give a complete inventory of everything on your computer. You can get the name of the manufacturer, model and even the serial number (sometimes) of any device including the motherboard and any on board peripherals. The go to the manufacturers site and download the drivers to install when you install Win98. The "restore disk" that you might have for 98 is just an OEM..........which means it customizable by manufacturers to put their little cutesy stuff on (Like: Welcome to DELL). When I put Cutie's computer together I used an OEM...........a little bit of a pain but once I got her set up it works just fine. Worse comes to worse, you can format again and do the WinXP thing. :)

And Kill Switch.........fdisking and deleting partitions then formating does not erase any data. It simple removes all flags to allow over writing of the files and data already on the disk. If you want to clean start (and if I had a virus so bad I was going to go through all the time and effort of formating and reinstalling my operating system, I would take the time to clean it off a little more effectively than just formating). Writing zeros (or wiping) your disk gives you a better chance of not having corrupted files or bad sectors on your drives. You can also get a commercial program that really wipes the drive...........makes as many passes as you want. But that is for the security fanatics. :D
 
You could always down load Kill Disk. It is Hard Drive Eraser that allows you to destroy all data on hard and floppy drives completely, excluding any possibility of future recovery of deleted files and folders. It's a hard drive and partition eraser utility. The free version works well. It meets DOD standards. Make sure you have a boot disk before hand and all of the drivers as was mentioned before as well.
 
If that win 98 recovery disk did not come with that computer it will be pretty hard to extract the operating system from there. If I were in you Shoes I would just buy a copy of XP and install it on that computer. My dad had An old Compac 500MHZ we did that and it worked fine. We only had to download 1 driver. Everythin is much more compatable with win xp. You could probably get win 98 cd on ebay pretty cheap.
 
I found my recovery disk. I'm not sure about an internet start-up disk, but I have to try something.
 
4X is that your Win98 recovery disk? Or the WinXP? It might be easier to reinstall XP and just forget about 98. Microsoft isn't supporting 95 now and 98's not far off for being unsupported. Why do you not want XP anyway? Once I got used to the interface it became easy for me to use.....took a few weeks though. I'm not sure about a recovery disk but XP can be installed using either the FAT32 or the NTSF file system. NTSF is supposed to be a bit more stable and secure but when I first got XP I installed using the FAT32 system......it worked just fine. I've since reinstalled using the NTSF system and I haven't noticed any difference at all. Cutie's still using the FAT32 and doesn't have any problems. It's been like that for a couple years. But, if you have to do something then I would go ahead and reinstall XP. Unless you've gone into your CMOS settings and changed something you computer will boot from the CD. Just put it in the drive and restart. Follow the instructions and make sure you do a complete restore which will format your drive (if you get a choice of either FAT32 or NTSF choose either one........I'd take the NTSF). You'll lose everything so copy all the stuff you want to keep to CD or floppies so you can get the computer back like you want it. All your programs you have CD's for you don't need to copy but you will have to reinstall them after you get you OS back up and running. If you are on dial up you will have to re-do all that too........best way is to call your ISP and get them to help you set it back up (they are used it :) ). Without writing zeros to the drive you are looking at about 2 to 4 hrs (depending on how big your hard drive is and how long it takes to download all the critical updates) to get back online.

But, whatever you do, if you have a virus don't just "reinstall" XP over the existing XP. You need to, at least, reformat.......that virus or worm could survive a simple installation over your existing OS.
 
After having constant problems with Windows 2000 from crashing and a myriad of other operating problems, my computer literate neighbor cleaned everything from the computer and installed Windows 98. During glitches with the install, tech service from the computer company was helpful. Now, everything that was a problem previously works fine and the few computer games I do run no longer falter or seize up.

I am of the mindset, Microsoft introduces these operating systems every few years with little regard for the avetrage consumer.

As an aside, my next computer will be an Apple because afterr owning four different computers in fifteen years, having had problems with every one of them, my parting shot to Bill Gates and company is, screw Microsoft and the horse they rode in on. :bounce:
 
Thanks for all the help guys and gals. :salute:

I am now up and running at full speed.

I called Dell and had them pretty much walk me through the whole process. It took about 3-4 hours all together. Although not all of that was spent sitting in front of the computer.

After many, many bad experiences with Dell Support, they were awesome today. I got somebody in the Phillipines, but they spoke english very well and I was only on hold for a few minutes before I reached a helpfull person. Previously, I was usually on hold for nearly an hour before I reached someone who barely spoke any english at all and seemed to know less about computers than me. And I am a computer idiot :wacko: .

It has been a horrible week or so and I realized I have become addicted to my computer and I'm not sure that is a good thing.

Oh well, very glad to be back as I have missed you all, well most of you anyway ^_^

:salute: :salute: :salute:
 
You running XP or 98? :)

Glad you got it all fixed. And I hope I'm one of the ones you missed..........at least, just a little!! :cheers:
 
Sorry DE, I should have cleared that up.

I am running XP.

Converting to Win98 was a Pandora's Box that I didn't want any part of after a little investigation. :huh:
 
You can always switch to "classic view" and make yourself think you're using 98!! :D Anyway, I'm glad you got it all fixed and behind you. Hope you got a good anti-virus. I've used Norton for years but now have McAfee.........both are very good. But, no matter what AV you use, you really have to check for updates often.........I check every day and it's not uncommon to get a new update every day (and there for a while, I got more than one a day)!! Idiots out there just playing asinine games for the sport of it.
 
Yeah, I have McAfee. I paid $90.00 or so for a year's subscription when I was trying to fix the problems I was having.

It didn't fix anything, but at least I have a year's protection so it wasn't a total loss. B)
 
Wow, that's a bunch of $$....I just installed Norton 2004 for only $18.95.

Check out worldstart.com for great software and computer tips.

So, how's the GOLF GAME????? :D
 
Originally posted by kat2220@May 17 2004, 03:56 AM
So, how's the GOLF GAME????? :D
Click to expand...
Thanks for asking :)

The golf game is very inconsistent. I shot my best round ever a few weeks ago an then went right out the next week and shot horrible on the same course. :huh:
 
Glad you are back up and running, 4x. Sorry you had trouble with Dell Support. I've had to use them several times, and I always had great help. Oh well, again, glad you got the darn thing fixed!!! :)
 
Boy...sounds like a royal pain in the rear.

Just in case you didn't know...as of today, there are 0 known viruses for the Mac X operating system. Yup that's right. None. I don't even own virus protection software...seems all these "idiots" as de calls them want the fame of creating the largest virus problems possible...leaving us Mac guys alone...oh well...second isn't always a bad place to be! OK, the Apple ad is over....

4x, hope everything works now! Sorry you had to go thru that crap.

You may want to check into getting a firewall as well, if you don't already have one...www.zonealarm.com has a free one that works pretty well.

:cheers:
 
Originally posted by Splunge@May 17 2004, 11:57 AM
Boy...sounds like a royal pain in the rear.

Just in case you didn't know...as of today, there are 0 known viruses for the Mac X operating system. Yup that's right. None. I don't even own virus protection software...seems all these "idiots" as de calls them want the fame of creating the largest virus problems possible...leaving us Mac guys alone...oh well...second isn't always a bad place to be! OK, the Apple ad is over....

4x, hope everything works now! Sorry you had to go thru that crap.

You may want to check into getting a firewall as well, if you don't already have one...www.zonealarm.com has a free one that works pretty well.

:cheers:
Click to expand...
Thats because it's not worth their time to target the amount of people that use mac os x. In time it will happen there are quite a few viruses for the mac in general.
 
Originally posted by Bucky Badger+May 17 2004, 01:57 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Bucky Badger @ May 17 2004, 01:57 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Splunge@May 17 2004, 11:57 AM
Boy...sounds like a royal pain in the rear.

Just in case you didn't know...as of today, there are 0 known viruses for the Mac X operating system. Yup that's right. None. I don't even own virus protection software...seems all these "idiots" as de calls them want the fame of creating the largest virus problems possible...leaving us Mac guys alone...oh well...second isn't always a bad place to be! OK, the Apple ad is over....

4x, hope everything works now! Sorry you had to go thru that crap.

You may want to check into getting a firewall as well, if you don't already have one...www.zonealarm.com has a free one that works pretty well.

:cheers:
Click to expand...
Thats because it's not worth their time to target the amount of people that use mac os x. In time it will happen there are quite a few viruses for the mac in general. [/b][/quote]
In time yes....but it's been 3 years since I upgraded to X.

3 glorious, virus-free years. PC's are lucky to go 3 weeks...oh and in the 5 years prior to that I got 1 virus...that was on OS 7-9...(Apple put out a free cleaner for that virus too...)

1 virus in 8 years. 0 dollars spent on virus protection. No files lost.....I'll take that.

But don't worry...I get my share of wintel pc's at work...so my life aint all roses! :lol:

:cheers:
 
Glad to hear that you have to suffer too at work....LOL

It all depends what you want for your system too. I like to upgrade constantly, with a MAC, you have some options, but not as much as a PC.


But congrats for your very minimal virus infestation.
 
Absolutley...

As much as I love my Mac (obviously), I don't recommend them for everyone...

Just as there are different types of cars for different types of work/people.
 
If viruses, and spyware are to much of a hastle for you, you dont have to switch to mac. I have run linux for a long time and havent had much problems with either.

Also if you game, macs are way behind as far as graphics go.

Not to mention hardware prices.
 
The ATI Radeon 9800 Pro is behind in graphics?

hmmm....

never heard someone say macs aren't good at graphics...being an industry standard and all...

But as far as the cost, I'm with you there! Virginia Tech build the 3rd most powerful Super Computer in the world out of Macs...for about 5 million...that's alot.

(no wait...the world simulator in Japan (#1) only cost 350 million dollars...that's expensive)

But we could go on for days like this, couldn't we? :D

a 'serious' :cheers: to everyone!
 
Sorry I dont keep up with mac the last time I had herd they were behind but I looked it up and see they have come along quite a bit.

But as far as prices go, it would be hard to find the 9800 mac version for less then 300$, while you can easily find the pc version for around 200$. link

Also unless things have changed alot of games either just dont come to mac or they take forever to make a mac version.
 
mac definitly lacks on the number of games available....no argument there...They still have enough to make the wife mad, so maybe that's a good thing! ha ah ah ah
 
Splunge..........ask Smack about the games for Linux!! :D I'm a pc guy............mainly because I get all the components of my choosing and put 'em in a box and have something unique! My old tired 1.5 gig Intel is ready for Ebay soon..........gonna build a new one this summer!! And I anticipate paying 500 bucks or less for it!! I'll use some of the stuff in this one but upgrade in other areas............it'll be a hot one you can bet on it!! :D

I'll be running XP and Linux Mandrake 9.0!!
 
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