Virus on C:/ Will formatting HD delete virus?

[iluvmac]

Hi

My pc has been over run by virusses

Description:- Shows XP welcome login screen and filled in the administrator's info all on it's own and now asks for a password - It never did so before and no password works.


Aim is to format the hard disk and then install XP Home OS from the CD again.

Q - If I format the hard disk will this then delete the viruses?
- Will it then be safe for me to install XP OS?

Thank you in advance

D

 

[Messugga]

First, yes, it most probably will remove the virus.
Secondly, wrong section.

 

[RSkeens]

It will remove them and yes it will be safe to proceed with the re installation.

 

[porn$tar]

Rather install Windows 7 after formatting.

 

[Nod]

Remember to also format the MBR.

 

[Chevron]

if you have more than one hard drive the virus could still be on those. Unplug all hard drives besides C. Install windows. Install avast. Then plug in your other hard drives.

 

[LFX]

Description:- Shows XP welcome login screen and filled in the administrator's info all on it's own and now asks for a password

D

I'm not saying it's not a virus but what you are describing is also a feature that can be disabled in policy editor called "Remember last login name" or something to that effect.

 

[Jabberwocky]

you can try OphCrack if your admin password is broken. Formatting your HDD to get rid of a virus is a bit overkill.

 

[gregmcc]

you can try OphCrack if your admin password is broken. Formatting your HDD to get rid of a virus is a bit overkill.

+1

I'd never recommend formatting just to get rid of a virus. If the virus destroys some of the EXE's then maybe, but in 99% of the cases its not necessary to format.

 

[BTTB]

Remember to also format the MBR.

Agreed.

 

[iluvmac]

+1

I'd never recommend formatting just to get rid of a virus. If the virus destroys some of the EXE's then maybe, but in 99% of the cases its not necessary to format.

It has started to destroy some of the EXE's

 

[DerpiesFreud]

it happened to my friend where it infects every exe on the pc including windows files
completeley wrecked his pc thx to avg detecting every exe and moving to vault
nice eh?

 

[kaisterkai]

I think it's better to just format and start new...

What anti virus were you using before?

 

[octall]

Just boot from a clean source else you might still be infected.