Uninstall exiting tools before "Read and Run"? Set up PC from scratch?

Hi all,

thank you very much for this amazing collection of information, and the help provided by you all - very much appreciated, especially since I know how much time that must involve.

I inherited a used laptop that seems quite messed up. Will go into detail once I start working through your excellent "Read and Run" instructions.

Before that, just two questions:


1. What to do with already installed tools?

Super Antispyware and Malwarebytes Anti Malware are already installed on the infected machine, so I can not choose where they should be installed - unless I uninstall them, and then re-install them fresh as per Read and Run instructions.

Is there a way to check which of the existing applications need a fresh install, e.g. by checking which locations they are installed in?

Would using Super Antispyware Portable from a USB stick solve the problem for Super Antispyware?

Or should I just uninstall and re-install both? If so, how do I best go about uninstalling, with regards to not messing up the Read and Run process?


2. Re-install a new windows system?

Since I have not invested much time in this machine yet - none of my data on it, and haven't installed any software yet either - would it be less time consuming to set up a new Windows system and build a clean and well protected machine from scratch instead of trying to fix the existing problems?

Or would I be likely to run into problems such as missing drivers etc. etc., which can also be very time consuming sometimes? The laptop is a good five years old. I know this one is probably hard to answer, just let me know what your gut instinct would be.

If you would suggest a Windows re-install, any good pointers or recommended links to read up on how to best do that? That's something I have not done before; have the XP Pro CD, but wouldn't have a clue how to get the old system off the laptop and install a new one - although I'm quite sure I could read up on that pretty quickly.

THANKS!

Matt

 

Additional info:

I do have the original XP Pro CD, plus the original CD with hardware drivers for the laptop - that would make a reinstall of a clean new system a lot easier I assume, right?

Matt

 

Hi again,

thanks for the very fast reply!

Ok, since I intend to use that laptop for at least a couple of years, and since I like to know and not to guess what's going on inside as much as possible, I'll format and re-install.

I just wish there was a forum that helps with that process as well as you do with getting rid of malware...

Cheers,

Matt

PS: If I ever have a malware problem again, I'll definitely come back here. Thank you very much for offering this!

 

Oh right, thanks for pointing that out - I would have overlooked it (and then probably found it again via web searching).

I came to the malware removal forum here by a direct link from a search machine, and since I was in a hurry, didn't have the time to look at the rest of what you are offering - which I will definitely do now!

Cheers,

Matt

 

Yeah I noticed that!

And if you have a look at the software forum you'll see that that's what I'm doing already... I'm hoping to pass on what I learn "in return" as a thank you for all the effort of everyone.

It's just great to talk to people who know their stuff.

What a great place.

Matt