Probeman

Well, I'm sick of all the spyware, etc on my computer. Will reformating my hard drive get rid of all that crap, the way it was the day I bought it? Is this something the computer illiterate can do, if so, what do I need, how dow I go about it?

JRace

Step one: Backup everything you think you will need.

Step two: don't do anything unless you make sure you have all the proper discs.

Step three: Format.

Step four: reboot (put your os disc in the drive)

Step five: go into your CMOS setup and make sure youy boot sequence goes: CDROM, C, A,
(this ensures that your computer boots from the cdrom first)

Step six: Reinstall all your programs.
Before you go online make sure you install a virus program (AVG is availible for free on the internet) and a firewall is also recomended.

Yes it will make you computer run better. Just be prepared, you may lose some programs, documents music etc...
If you have never done this it may take a while. It works best if you have another computer availibe to go online and get help...

Cereal

Yes formatting will get rid of it, but Adware will get rid of it also and u don't have to reinstall.

Heck, even try Microsoft's new anti-spyware program. Works great and will get rid of everything!

ChizzerZ24

If u have dvd burner main way I found to back up important **** was backup the entire DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS in your C:\ it had my email backed up... saved games and other settings as well.

Blinddemonz

Adaware doesn't alawys get rid of it all, I heard spysweeper is the best lately however I seemed to have problems with it [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

Anyhow I would suggest askin a friend over to do it for you that has either done it before or know's what he's doing either way to be on the safe side, other than that the step by step JRace gave you is a good how to [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

Cereal

Well not 1 program will get rid of everything but you can use 3 programs to get rid of everything like Adware, Microsofts one, Spybot search and destroy and even try spysweeper.

It will get rid of it

[img]smile.gif[/img]

Hardcore Rock Superstar

iTrader: (2)

if you're unsure how to go thru the reinstall of windows.

www.windowsreinstall.com can be useful to you.

Haunz

iTrader: (3)

reinstalling windows will usually get rid of most of the crap and you dont have to bother with backing up files and formating.... However if you want your drive totally clean, do the format!

ChizzerZ24

Make sure though when you do format you do a full format not quick that would clear out everything 100%, I tried that Anti Spy program from Ms didn't find anything more then my adware se didn't fine.. then again I don't use I.E 6 so that cleared out 90% of my problems right there..

JordyO

iTrader: (17)

Err... how will a full format remove anything that a quick format wouldn't?