Wiping a laptop

[xktx]

I have a Samsung notebook with Windows 7 and an Pentium intel core.
However I have a load of viruses on it, and I wondered what you'd recommend, defragging it or wiping it?
And do you know how I do it?
I have the windows office CD to put word on, so Idm losing programs, but I've lost the disks I got when I brought the laptop.
thanks

[Rayquaza]

Defragging only organises files so they are easier to find, it wont have any effect on the viruses. Have you considered downloading an Anti-Virus?

AVG is free.
(http://free.avg.com)

[thetechguy2]

Try purchasing Norton, or another well known anti-virus software or download a free anti-virus software.
If you are a student (school/college/uni etc) you can get student discount on anti-virus at a site called software4students.co.uk
Here's a link http://software4students.co.uk/t/brands/kaspersky-2012-antivirus

Hope I've helped.

P.S. I only know about the student discount because I have used it myself.

[Rayquaza]

Try purchasing Norton, or another well known anti-virus software
Personally, I do not recommend downloading a free anti-virus, but instead buy one, as they are always much better.
If you are a student (school/college/uni etc) you can get student discount on anti-virus at a site called software4students.co.uk
Here's a link http://software4students.co.uk/t/brands/kaspersky-2012-antivirus

Hope I've helped.

P.S. I only know about the student discount because I have used it myself.

What evidence supports that buying antivirus software (and just the antivirus) is "better" than freeware?

If I were you, I'd get AVG now as your computer is in crisis as it has multiple viruses. Also, check out the virus sticky by Mirage in the TJP forum.

[ethanf93]

Microsoft makes Microsoft Security Essentials (which is free and fairly good,) AVG is free, others are free.

If you're not familiar with free anti virus software already and don't mind losing all your programs & files, I would reinstall the operating system, and then get a good free anti-virus. Keep in mind this will delete all your files as well so exercise caution; you might want to try some of the anti-virus software I've mentioned and others have mentioned first.

When you got the laptop you should have received an "operating system restore" CD, this is what you would use to reinstall the OS (wipe the computer.)

[HunterSteele]

Defragging only organises files so they are easier to find, it wont have any effect on the viruses.
To clarify, it puts the fragments of files on your drive together so they can be retrieved faster by your computer.

If you decide to reinstall, download and run Belarc Advisor first to make a list of all your installed programs, so you know what to install after. I suggest trying Microsoft Security Essentials first though.

[Skyhawk]

I have a Samsung notebook with Windows 7 and an Pentium intel core.
However I have a load of viruses on it, and I wondered what you'd recommend, defragging it or wiping it?
And do you know how I do it?
I have the windows office CD to put word on, so Idm losing programs, but I've lost the disks I got when I brought the laptop.
thanks

Get an anti-virus first, so you can try to remove the viruses.

AVG is good, I had it on my laptop before my I received my Kaspersky software that came with the computer. I've heard that COMODO is great, but I don't know much about it and haven't had a use for it yet (since I have Kaspersky).

Now I've read that Kaspersky is one of the best out there, but in all honesty, I've seen NO DIFFERENCE in anti-malware performance compared to AVG Free 2005-2012. In fact, Kaspersky uses more resources than AVG to do the same job.

Norton is shit. The only company worse than them is "The Shield Deluxe" which is a scam that sells Kaspersky-based anti-virus and does nothing to protect your computer.

Also, since you lost your discs, you will need to buy Windows again if you wipe the hard drive because you don't have the original reinstallation media.
(there is another way, but I'm not positive if it will work.)

[thetechguy2]

What evidence supports that buying antivirus software (and just the antivirus) is "better" than freeware?

If I were you, I'd get AVG now as your computer is in crisis as it has multiple viruses. Also, check out the virus sticky by Mirage in the TJP forum.

My computer isn't in crisis, but I will take back what I said about free anti-viruses not working.

However my evidence to support that buying antivirus software is better than freeware is http://www.pcworld.com/article/210589/free_versus_fee_free_and_paid_antivirus_programs_compared.html, as it says about more support, etc.

But I do take back what I said about them not working, as they do work, but paid anti-virus offers more support, and as the article said Panda anti-virus "Pro did a better job in "real world" malware detection tests that help determine how well a product can block brand-new threats."

AVG does work perfectly fine as an anti-virus though, I have just tried it.

I have therefore edited my first post, and stated about downloading a free antivirus.

[Rayquaza]

My computer isn't in crisis, but I will take back what I said about free anti-viruses not working.

However my evidence to support that buying antivirus software is better than freeware is http://www.pcworld.com/article/210589/free_versus_fee_free_and_paid_antivirus_programs_compared.html, as it says about more support, etc.

But I do take back what I said about them not working, as they do work, but paid anti-virus offers more support, and as the article said Panda anti-virus "Pro did a better job in "real world" malware detection tests that help determine how well a product can block brand-new threats."

AVG does work perfectly fine as an anti-virus though, I have just tried it.

I have therefore edited my first post, and stated about downloading a free antivirus.

The second paragraph was towards the OP.

[The.cheese]

download ccleaner
run drive wiper
cleans all free space on the drive of any potential information. when you "format" it, it just tells the hdd to hide it until it is overwritten by another file. if you want to completely get a fresh hdd then put a windows disk in, and then delete the partition with all the stuff on it. beware though as all the information will be lost so be sure to backup if necessary

[Jackerlus]

I have a Samsung notebook with Windows 7 and an Pentium intel core.
However I have a load of viruses on it, and I wondered what you'd recommend, defragging it or wiping it?
And do you know how I do it?
I have the windows office CD to put word on, so Idm losing programs, but I've lost the disks I got when I brought the laptop.
thanks

I would recommend getting windows security essentials or avast free (I prefer avast) as afyer you do what the guys down there said you'll need a realtime protector of some sort.

[Skyhawk]

Avast is good, though whenever a virus is detected I shit myself.

[Mirage]

I'm going to suggest you read the sticky on virus removal because defragging is useless and wiping is unnecessary.

[Blueeyes]

I'm going to suggest you read the sticky on virus removal because defragging is useless and wiping is unnecessary.

Yes, but do you really still trust a computer that has viruses on it? I sure wouldn't.

Anytime someone gives me a laptop to remove any types of malicious files/software, I always ask if they have a backup of files and a copy of all paid programs. Reinstalling Windows is generally a safe way to go, and just make sure there is antivirus and antimalware installed first.

My suggestions...
Anti virus - Microsoft Security Essentials (http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx)
Anti Malware - Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/)

[ninja747]

I would recommend getting bitdefender total security 2013 (you can use it for 30 days without buying it) and if you click on the little down arrow beside "scan now" and click rescue mode it will reboot your computer into a linux based OS that will have an antivirus, since this is independent from windows viruses cant interfere with it. After that i would recommend downloading AVG.

[Error 404]

2 months old post...she probably solved it by now.

As for AVG...i disagree.Worst AV I've ever tried.But I've heard Avira is pretty good.

[Mirage]

Yes, but do you really still trust a computer that has viruses on it? I sure wouldn't.

Anytime someone gives me a laptop to remove any types of malicious files/software, I always ask if they have a backup of files and a copy of all paid programs. Reinstalling Windows is generally a safe way to go, and just make sure there is antivirus and antimalware installed first.

My suggestions...
Anti virus - Microsoft Security Essentials (http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx)
Anti Malware - Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/)

Yes, I do actually trust a computer that has been infected and then cleaned, not everyone has another product key/the original CD to reinstall with.