Formatting HD

I used to format HD routinely, but somehow didn't do it for few years and forgot.

When I format HD, do I have to reinstall OS? Or, only what was backed up and PC will go back to original OS by itself? As of course, I do not have original OS CD, it's quite an old PC. Yep, still WXP.

 

If your hard disk has only the one partition then formatting it will destroy everything, i.e. XP, all your own software and all your files, so you need to be well prepared with installation media and have backups of all your personal stuff.

 

Got it.

Ad hoc - this site just wanted to install something on my machine. Malware Bites caught it.

 

Any more info? The owners would appreciate anything you have on that.

 

Well, I had to log into this site off a different PC. From one discussed in this thread, Malware Bites throw instant fit "malware detected" and after last log in, I had about a dozen of malware removed.
Looked like redirectors to me.
I'll try not to forget, save MB log, send it to a different PC and then submit from there. I am not aware of this site spreading any malware. But MB clearly asked to ban MG site.

 

I didn't use this particular PC for long time. Couple years. When I went back to using it, it had ton of redirectors and such on it. I cleaned all I could. It started throwing warning messages exactly when I opened MG-s.
I am on my home PC now and it's just like yours - no warnings, or anything. And I have MB and ESET AV on it. Of course, It's W7.
I need to format HD on the other PC. It was very neglected maintenance wise. Needs some TLC.
likely a false alarm. In regards to MG site.

 

Well, not that it was sitting in garage. I didn't use it, it was used by others, that have not much of any knowledge.
But here's log.
Not much of help:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Protection, 4/2/20148:04:56 AM"SYSTEM, TUKWI*****P,
Protection, Malware Protection, Starting,
Protection, 4/2/2014 8:04:56 AM, SYSTEM, **********
Protection, Malware Protection, Started,
Protection, 4/2/20148:04:56 AM, SYSTEM, TUKWIL ****,
Protection, Malicious Website Protection, Starting,
Protection, 4/2/20148:05:01 AM, SYSTEM, TUKWIL*******,

Protection, Malicious Website Protection, Started,

(end)

Bold section is when I logged into MG-s.:major

 

Sorry, kept forgetting. It's latest version downloaded a week ago.