Format C:

[RoughLandings 1]

I am having some bad issues with adware and spyware getting onto my computer. I have gotten rid of most of it with Norton AntiVirus but it still leaves one virus and four other adware threats on my machine. It has also caused some errors to show in windows explorer over the last couple days. Oh yeah, I have downloaded the latest updates for Norton AV without any luck in getting rid of the last few viruses. I know that it is good to reformat the hard drive every now and then but I have never done this before and my computer is about a year and a half old. I am running Windows XP as my operating system by the way. I read somewhere that reinstalling XP would wipe the hard drive so I tried that but it just installed along side the old operating system. Now that brings me to my main question: I would like to reformat the hard drive (drive C: ) but I have never done it before and am somewhat hesitant. Is there anything I should do or know before I exicute that most final command.

[Sonar5 3]

If you have XP Pro, try here:http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/Inst...stallxppro1.htmIf you have XP Home try here:http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/Inst...tallxphome1.htmTher eis nothing any one here can do without being in front of your box and walking you through it.The guides above will walk you through it.I highly suggest you have a backup laptop with internet connection or another computer so if you get stuck or something happens you can get help.I backed up my files, reformated my whole 80gb drive, used a second older 20gb drive to install xp, and now I am running XP pro on one drive, all my other programs on the other.Best of Luck,Joehttp://aboutpolitics.net/images/banner.gif.About Politics.net - FORUMShttp://pub207.ezboard.com/bpoliticsgivemel...tyorgivemedeath.Contribute to the Richard Harvey Scholarship Fund.http://www.avsim.com/pages/scholarship.shtml

[RoughLandings 1]

Thanks for those links. I think they were helpful anyway lol. I am not all that computer savvy and am learning as I go by pounding my head against the wall so to speak. So in theory reformating my hard drive shouldn't cause any problems with it? See, I would hate to reformat my hd and then not be able to install xp back onto it.

[Guest Robert J]

What about using the "restore" feature in Windows XP? Pick a restore date prior to the time your machine went into trouble and restore from that point. You may lose some things you've installed between those dates, but think that might solve your problem. Just a thought. You could then reinstall the things you wanted. If you do this, then go to Norton and do a live update. Robert J

[Guest Stompy]

No, reformatting your hard drive won't cause any problems with it. Almost without exception, you can always reformat and then install without a problem. In fact, to some extent, people end up having more problems because they installed an OS without reformatting first....but don't worry about that bit.Reformat, reinstall, and have fun. :-)

[Sonar5 3]

Hi Eric,Make sure you come back and let us know you succeded. :-)Or if you get stuck we'll help you out of it.Regards,JoePS - I gave this advice as well. Once you get set up, you need to work on keeping your computer clean so that it doesn't happen again.Try these that I posted elsewhere over the years.********************Here is my Recommendation.Dump that IE program IMMEDIATELY. Also, Are you running XP, if so, make sure you are not running in Administrator profile. And have you updated all your critical windows update files?You should set up a separate profile for surfing the net, as well as games that connect to the net.The Only time I ever use IE is to do windows update. EVER.I am using the following, and am virus free, Spyware, Free, Pop-up free, etc.... And every time I check my puter, it comes up as stealth. I run a router, 2 desktops, & two laptops, 3 of them wireless G.Here is what I am using.Spyware:Ad-Aware (Freeware)&Spybot-Search & Destroy (Freeware)VirusAVG Anti-virus (Freeware Version)Firewall:NO LONGER USING ZONALARMUsing Kerio Personal Firewall.**********MOST IMPORTANT, IMHO**********Mozilla's Firebird Browser. NO POP-UPS EVER, OR UNDER.. NONE, ZERO ZILCHFirebird is quicker than IE, (IMHO and others), More secure, IMHO, and rarely a target for the malcontent hackers out there.Mail - Mozilla's Thunderbird. Outlook is always a target, therefore eliminate the target, and get safer email.Links for programs:Firebird Browser http://mozilla.orgThunderbird Mail Client http://mozilla.orgKerio Personal Firewall http://kerio.comSpybot Search & Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/Lavasoft Ad-Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/(Please note I run both Ad-Aware & Spybot just to be sure)And I also use exclusively Openoffice.org for My Office suite programs:http://openoffice.orgWIndows XP stuff: (Not for Amateurs)http://blackviper.com//Begin Standard Disclaimer:Read the read me's and install files before installing any of this. You are responsible for your own computer's health, and if you do not understand the consequences of your own actions, simply do not install any of these programs, and let MS run your computer for you since they are so good at keeping their OS's and browsers running clean.//End Disclaimer:http://aboutpolitics.net/images/bannerav.gif.About Politics.net - FORUMShttp://pub207.ezboard.com/bpoliticsgivemel...tyorgivemedeath.Contribute to the Richard Harvey Scholarship Fund.http://www.avsim.com/pages/scholarship.shtml

[RoughLandings 1]

Hi, I downloaded and installed all those programs you listed above. I am happy with the results of everything except for one issue and am hoping you can point me in the right direction. I have been unable to join multiplayer sessions today even though allowing the connections through Kerio Personal Firewall. Now I may be mistaken but I think I was able to join a multiplayer session yesterday. I read through the help file of Kerio and can't seem to come up with anything as far as changing settings. Do you have any ideas? Thnx.

[Sonar5 3]

In Kerio,Choose FILEThen ADMINThen under friewall, choose ADVANCEDLook for the entries under Microsoft Flight Simulator, and make sure they are checked to allow connection.Also when you try to use multiplayer, after you connect do an alt-tab, or run in windowed mode and see if a permission box is activated by Kerio. You may have accidently hit deny. It is easy to do the first few days you are using it, as it is always asking for a lot of permissions, until properly configured.That should allow you to connect. You can also highlight the MSFS entry, click edit, and configure it to your liking.Let me know if this helps.Regards,JoePS - I will be unavailable tomorrow and Sunday until late afternoon Pacific time as I am going on a backpacking hike in the mountains.

[RoughLandings 1]

Thanks for the advice. I will give it a try later tonight. Have fun on your backpacking trip! I am an avid backpacker myself. Where are you going to be hiking?

[Sonar5 3]

Hi again,This is a Boy Scout Trip. Short & Easy one, Barker Valley, Palomar Mountain.Start at 4000 ft, to 5100 ft. 3.4 miles each way. We'll stream our water with a purifier. I have the First Need Purifier. Great Tool. I am also chaeting on this one with MRE's :-)Although I will have my coffe Sunday Morning, as I am bringing my little stove and cup.Regards,Joe

[RoughLandings 1]

Well, I tried that. I opened Kerio while in fs9 trying to connect to bushnet2 and went into the advanced settings and it is set to permit it send and receive. Now when I first open Kerio however and see the open connections list the state of FS9.exe indicates that it is "listening" rather than "connected in" and "connected out". I have fiddled with trying to enter the different port numbers into Kerio via the edit option with no luck either. I don't know at this point, I even tried disabling the firewall altogether which didn't work.

[RoughLandings 1]

Joe, I did succeed finally in reformatting my hard drive and reinstalling windows. After several hours work I am up and running again a lot smoother this time. The only problem that I have is that I still can't get multiplayer to work with Kerio. No matter what I do nothing works.

[RoughLandings 1]

Well, I feel a little foolish is all now :-lol. I figured out why multiplayer wasn't working: the ip address for the server I was trying to get onto changed a couple days ago. I was just a little too cross eyed :+ to notice the post in the Bushnet2 forum. I would have swore that I tried one of the other servers I regularly fly on but guess not. Thank you for all your help Joe, it is really appreciated! Hope you had a great backpacking trip with the Boy Scouts this weekend (lucky you, I had to work :-lol).

[Sonar5 3]

Hi Eric,Trip was a lot of fun. Tough little hike though for some of our younger scouts.Our Pedometer showed 4.3 miles each way with full packs and 1100 foot elevation change.There was no water except for a mosquito ridden small spring about 3 feet in diamter.But my trusty little First Need Purifier took care of that.Next up for me is a climbing instructor course in November. I will be certified after 3 climbing trips.We are also going to Joshua Tree for rock clombing in December.Glad you got your puter straightened out. :-)Regards,Joehttp://aboutpolitics.net/images/bannerav.gif.About Politics.net - FORUMShttp://pub207.ezboard.com/bpoliticsgivemel...tyorgivemedeath.Contribute to the Richard Harvey Scholarship Fund.http://www.avsim.com/pages/scholarship.shtml

[RoughLandings 1]

Joe, Glad to hear you had a good trip, despite the mosquito ridden water :-lol. Where exactly is the area you went into? I am in Olympia, Wa so all my hiking is in the Cascades or Olympics. Here are a few pictures from a trip I did this summer. We went into the Seven Lakes Basin area of the Olympics. We did about 20 miles, 10 one way. The elevation gain is about 3000' but felt like about 30,000' as I was so far out of shape :-lol. Talk about a nice view! We were near the highest point on the trip here at about 5000'. http://forums.avsim.com/user_files/44297.jpgA picture of myself with one of the few trout I caught. It was great fishing in the lakes up there. One of the guys with us caught 26 fish in up there.http://forums.avsim.com/user_files/44298.jpgThe High Divide Trail is right up there on that ridge above us. That's me, third from the right.http://forums.avsim.com/user_files/44299.jpg