[RESOLVED] Replacing OS

[wes4dbt]

I let my granddaughter use my laptop for school for a few months. Now, it has all kinds of problems. I usually use AVG or McAfee but I can't even get those to install. I've got the machine working fairly ok but I've got a virus called "abnow.com" that misdirects my browsers.

I tried "PC Tools SpyWare" and it couldn't complete the scan, but found a couple of thousand problems. Didn't fix any.

I tried "Stopzilla" and it completely crashed my system when I tried to reboot.

I had made a recovery disk when I first got the machine but I guess I didn't do it write because I can't get it to work.

I think maybe my only option is to buy a new version of Windows 7 Home premium.

Does anyone any suggestions or opinions?

[wes4dbt]

No suggestions?

[Nightwalker83]

Does "System Restore" work?

[wes4dbt]

Yes it works, but doesn't solve the problem. I've restored many times

[Nightwalker83]

Have you tried Spybot - Search & Destroy? Try scanning your computer for virus using the software here.

[wes4dbt]

Found a utility call "yorkyt.exe", my browser seems ok now and I was able to install "AVG". Running a full scan now.

[Nightwalker83]

Yeah, I use AVG too.

[wes4dbt]

Thanks for the link, I'm sure some day it will come in handy.

[dilettante]

A lot of DVD writers and writeable media can be marginal, especially when writing whole disks.

In many cases the manufacturer can supply known-good real DVD restore disks much cheaper (and with the drivers you need) than buying a retail Windows product. Check their support site, this might cost as little as $10.

[stanav]

You can also download an ISO image of windows 7 (retail version) for free. Burn it to a DVD and install it using the product key that came with your computer. This is totally legal since the downloads are provided by Microsoft via digitalriver channel:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/downlo...ownload-links/

[wes4dbt]

stanav,

I don't know how to find the product key. Any suggestion?

Thanks for the reply

[stanav]

stanav,

I don't know how to find the product key. Any suggestion?

Thanks for the reply

It's on a sticker called "Certificate of Authenticity", normally affixed to the bottom of most laptops (although some manufacturers put it in the battery compartment. In this case, you'll have to take the battery out to see it).

[BlackRiver]

Use ComboFix

[B61Nuke]

To the OP, The best I ever found was 'SuperAntiSpyware' It can be found here...
http://www.superantispyware.com/