This week: Why does Windows need to be re-installed?
The last couple of weeks have brought me issues I hate to face--to reinstall or install a new copy of¬Ý the Windows operating system on a PC.
I hate to do it because of the interruption of service to the user and the possible costs involved with a reinstall. I only reinstall as a very last resort, and I recommend a new version of Windows only when the machine is new enough and fast enough to warrant the additional cost of a new operating system.
The reason I had to restore three different PC’Äôs in the last week was VIRUSES. There are several viruses currently circulating that make changes to an operating system to the extent that a reinstall is the only logical choice. I have mentioned in previous columns about the Windows registry file; this file controls just about everything in the Windows operating system, and this new batch of viruses make changes to that file, so even if the O/S is undamaged, the changes made to the registry can be so invasive that getting it working again is (at this time) imposable from within Windows. That makes the logical choice a reinstall from the PC system restore disks or the purchase of a new Windows O/S. If there are no system restore disks then the purchase of a new copy of the O/S is imperative.
All of these PCs had antivirus running;¬Ý however, current antivirus programs can remove the virus only after it is running on the PC, which means the damage has been done even before a virus scan can be run. The question I get most is ’Äúwhy?’Äù I cannot answer that for sure; the hacker writing the virus wants personal or financial date data, to either use or sell on the black market Internet or they want to just disrupt our Windows O/S to prove that we were hacked.¬Ý
A positive byproduct is that a reinstall will remove any spy-bots that may have been hidden in your Windows O/S. Whatever antivirus program you are using, make sure it is run at least once a day, as viruses are piggy-backing from legitimate web sites, and every web site is vulnerable.¬Ý¬Ý
¬Ý
¬Ý
Robert
ComputerFAQ #581
computerfaq@highwayshopper.com
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