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Thread ID: 96780	2009-01-22 09:32:00	when to give up and re-install?	robsonde (120)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
741119	2009-01-22 20:13:00	I had my D: inaccessible wit spyware thought i lost it but software was able to fix it and get my 2 precious excel files. Since then I got a new PC with multiple HDD incl a external one. Now just gotta suss out a incremental type backup software :D I tend to reinstall every few years, 3 or 4 perhaps. Spyware and others software is great. They can take half a day to implement though. I also think, if you have your own files on a diff HDD or a 2nd HDD for backup, and a cloned HDD, prob easier to do that than to muck with security software. Just that it is a lot of work to reinstall. Norton Ghos / Acronis True Image can help a lot though. Still with media files they cannot be archived easily unless one has a spare HDD.	Nomad (952)
741120	2009-01-22 20:23:00	I am surprised how bad nasties can get. Doing my usual stuff, I don't even need a virus scanner or a spyware scanner. Email with mailwasher, surf the net at usual sites, read news, forums, skpye, shopping, banking. I don't share USB or CDs. But these days with large files, and a waste of CDs DVDs I tend to just use a external HDD which can be rewritten with no issue to the landfill. At times I have searched the net for a computer work around or a cellphone hack etc.. but still with all those pop ups even with Firefox, I do get virus and spyware url warning and if I choose to ignore, I get them but I only get a handful not thousands. When I had my D: locked up with spyware I only had 500-600. Well I do update my windows updates. I guess pple, just don't update and surf and surf without clearing their internet temp files even when it is slow until it crashes. Maybe they believe they could get free millons of dollars with those website and email scams and just click .... and all that crap like click here for my secret admirer or increase one's size ....... I guess they tend to read up on celebrity and gossip news and pictures related to that thou .... which I don't.	Nomad (952)
741121	2009-01-22 20:42:00	The easiest way to avoid most nasties. Avoid P2P / torrents / file sharing Not keeping windows up to date would be another reason. BUT not as bad as the above Depends on HOW many nasties someone has, or how hard it is to get rid of them A few of the computers, I've tried to fix, I've formatted, because of their stupidity (most of them were using P2P / torrents). And there were too many infections	Speedy Gonzales (78)
741122	2009-01-22 20:46:00	It's a money thing - if it's going to cost the customer less to reinstall than clean out the viruses, then reinstall it is. That doesn't happen a lot though. And most people lose their office disks, so that needs to be taken into acount... :p MagicJellybean ftw! :)	wratterus (105)
741123	2009-01-22 23:54:00	And most people lose their office disks, so that needs to be taken into acount... OR dont have any at all, an when you run a key finder through so you can get the code to reinstall it - its one of the Pirated ones that a "mate" gave them - usual one starts with GWH-- wont put the rest for obvious reasons, but any Tech should have seen the rest -some get rather "annoyed" when you advise its pirated and I wont install it back. :groan:	wainuitech (129)
741124	2009-01-23 00:11:00	Thats fair enough it is your responsibility not to install it or you would be at fault, one would assume. Tell me more about these key finders though I have a couple of computers I need to fully wipe and install and don't have keys, would there be a different key for OEM compared to standard xp disks?	Q man (14225)
741125	2009-01-23 00:13:00	Tell me more about these key finders though I have a couple of computers I need to fully wipe and install and don't have keys, would there be a different key for OEM compared to standard xp disks? Thats where you run into problems. Dell/HP are the worst, if theres no product key on teh side of the case you'll end up with a VLK that won't work with a normal disk. Office isn't such a problem, if its a legit key its normally a real key, not some VLK.	wratterus (105)
741126	2009-01-23 01:30:00	Some vendors don't even give you the CD, but on a hidden partition then they charge you for it should you want the recovery CD without CD key that only works on that specific computer :thumbs:	Nomad (952)
741127	2009-01-23 01:34:00	It shouldnt need a key, if you've got a restore partition. All you have to do is use it, or burn the ISOS that are on it. Thats why you dont get the cd It'll know its the same system I used the restore partition once (the ISO's). I cant remember putting the key in to reinstall the OS	Speedy Gonzales (78)
741128	2009-01-23 01:55:00	Heres something interesting also - a few years back I have reinstalled HP's using the product key thats on the OS ( pre- installed) it worked fine - BUT comes up as invalid when activating it - when ringing MS and tried to get it to activated MS say its an illegal key . On a working HP/ Compaq or Dell that has the factory install - run a key finder through - something like magic jelly Bean ( . com/keyfinder/" target="_blank">magicaljellybean . com) look at the product key for the OS - then look at the COA on the side of the Case - it will be totally different . The COA on the side of the case is the one you use to install from fresh if not using recovery CD's with all the pre loaded crap . Places Like HP/ Dell use a general license key, several times I have had 3-4 HP's in the workshop, all the same model with all the same product key from the factory install .	wainuitech (129)
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