Computer help

[Witty]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I've been searching the web for almost a week now, so I'm tired of searching.

I bought the computer (HP dc5000 SFF) a few years ago from the school. They were selling them to make room for the new computers. I bought it for $50 (kinda cheap) which came with everything (mouse, keyboard, etc.)

For the past few weeks, my computer has been really slow. I've defraged it several times and done some virus scans, thinking that would speed it up. It never really did anything. So I got to thinking. it might need a good factory reset, but here's the problem. It never came with a CD.

So I was wondering, can you factory reset a computer without a disc?

If you need anymore information about the computer, feel free to ask.

[xmodsNSX94]

Hey Witty
how much memory do you have? could be running low on memory clear out your old files first

hope this helps
BunNY!

[Witty]

It came with 256mb of memory but i boosted it ot 768(?)mb. I dont think thats quite the problem. Over the weekend, AVG seemed to uninstall itself during the night. I think something deadly has infected it. I got AVG reinstalled but it wont run a scan.

[xmodsNSX94]

hmm problem solved? major virus? i would recommend a full clearout of all files you dont use or something
most free virus programs seem to miss the major viruses like trojans and stuff.

Thanks
BunNY

[Witty]

Honestly, I'd just like to wipe the whole thing and start new. I have a Malware scan going right now. Scanning it everyday probably wont last me till the end of next month when i can but me a new computer.

[DRFTKO]

Originally Posted by Witty

It came with 256mb of memory but i boosted it ot 768(?)mb. I dont think thats quite the problem. Over the weekend, AVG seemed to uninstall itself during the night. I think something deadly has infected it. I got AVG reinstalled but it wont run a scan.

Have you upgraded to the new version of AVG? They released it sometime last week and that me be a part of the problem.

[Witty]

I just got it last week, my old antivirus wasn't doing much so i got rid of it.

[greenday]

If you can learn to live without Windows, Ubuntu is a really good choice. It runs fast, has a lot of good apps, and you're not lining Bill's pockets...hah.

[Donziikid]

Dump AVG. As of recently they're just hogging too much memory and missing too many major viruses to be of any use anymore--they're just trying to encompass everything and impeding their own performance. They used to be really good, but right now, I think you would be better off with a few different options (some of which you may already have).

1. Download and update Malwarebytes. Run a full scan.
2. Download and install Microsoft Security Essentials.
3. Download and install Piriform CCleaner. Run it.
4. Download and install Piriform Defraggler. Run it.

Try these four things before deciding to just wipe it all together. If those four don't get you back the performance you want, or the performance that can last you another month until you get a new computer, go ahead and wipe it. Just be sure to save everything you want. I didn't once..

Cheers,
Kyle

[edit]
I also forgot Spybot Search & Destroy. Download, update and run a scan with Spybot as well.

[greenday]

Yeah Donzii is definitely right about the Piriform stuff. Works wonders. Cleans stuff all that needless data WIndows is infamous for...Will Install Needless Data On Whole System lol.

Never had any expierence with the other two. But I did just install Ubuntu after getting a used Compaq with XP.

EDIT-actually i have used mse with great success, its my favorite antivirus...for windows.

[Witty]

I checked out Ubuntu and liked it, so I decided to install it. After I installed it, when I try to start up my computer, I get past the HP loading screen then just get a black screen. It'll run off my flash drive just fine, but it's always asking to try or install.. It's got me so confused

[greenday]

I'd burn a disc. Are you booting from USB?

[Witty]

Ya, it's on a little 4 gb flash drive. I'll try a cd when I can.

[Witty]

Well, I made a CD, but now when I install it, after turning it back on, I have to restore my Master Boot Record or something like that. After doing this, i restart it again and it sits at the black screen again.

[WRX Ryder]

If it is a virus, Malwarebytes is the BEST free virus remover! Put malwarebytes on a flash drive(I have the setup.exe file if you need it). Run computer in SAFE MODE. if the setup doesnt open, the virus has worked around it so rename the file to like banana.exe or something

[Witty]

I'm starting to wonder if Ubuntu wasa good idea to try. All I can do is try it and now it won't mount my flash drive. Any ideas why this isn't working?

[greenday]

Man I hate to hear you having problems after I recommended it. I have ran it once from a flash drive, (installed it and the flash drive was the hard drive) and I'v also created a live USB to install from. After all you've done I'd just give burning a disc a try. Doesn't take too terribly long and then you'll have one for good. Just a suggestion though.

[Witty]

I have a question. I have a 640gb external hd, so I was wondering if I could install Ubuntu on it and try running it from there, and if it doesn't work, how easy would it be to remove it from my hd?

[FinalGear]

Witty

My 2-Cents:

****You will need A COMPLETED version of your OS (Win XP, Win 7, DOS, ect.)**
FYI: Recover disc are not FULL version of an OS

1. Research you mother-board
A. Find out who is the manufacturer?
B. Download the .pdf mother-board manual (if possible)
C. Download all the mother-board drivers.
2. Download all your drivers (Sound, Video, Modem, Monotir, etc.)
3. Buy a new hard-drive
A. Make sure you get right one (SATA or IDE)
B. I would suggest you get a small hard (80 gib - 160 gib)

4. Install the new hard-drive and re-format/re-install OS

You will be more happy w/ an clean OS, then the manufacturer set up