slow laptop, format hard drive...?

Question

sir/madam,

my laptop is very slow... it has a lot of junk on it... and probably some viruses as well... if I format hard drive and install new windows, would that solve my problem with viruses and slow performance??

Thank you

Answer 1

Yes that will get rid of any malware.

You should save any important data off your machine before you do the restore - probably to an external drive.



As soon as the restore is completed, the first thing you should do is to install your preferred AV and download the latest AV database.



Next, run Windows update repeatedly until there are no more updates.

Download the latest version of all the drivers for your laptop including the latest BIOS and apply them all.

Install your 3rd party applications.

NowNext, run Windows update repeatedly until there are no more updates.

Download the latest version of all the drivers for your laptop including the latest BIOS and apply them all.

Install your 3rd party applications.

Now, scan the device you used to store your data. When done, go ahead and restore the data.



How to remove a virus - by Tumbleweed_Biff at Yahoo.com



Top free AV products

BitDefender Free, ZoneAlarm Free, Adaware Free, Qihoo 360 Internet, Commodo Free, Avast, Avira, AVG



Best Paid:

Kaspersky, eSET, and BitDefender are the top paid AV products.



(Links to four rescue disks are at the bottom, but there are many, many more out there. Most AV providers have one, usually free.)



I) The best solution is to back up your data and perform a factory restore. Install a reputable AV program after the restore and download the latest updates for Windows and your computer before restoring your data.



II) That not being practical for many, try either of the next two methods:

(Please note that it is important to use one of these two methods as you need to boot and scan knowing that no viruses are already in memory. If you try and install an AV product on a machine already infected then there is a decent chance that the virus will be able to hide/relocate from the scanner.)



A)

1) On a clean computer, download 1 or more free bootable AV products. Five I know of are Avira, AVG, Avast, Kaspersky, and G Data. Often referred to as a Rescue Disc.



(There is a handy product called sardu (www.sarducd.it) which will create a flash drive/Cd capable of having multiple AV products built into it. It isn't perfect yet, but it does do the job pretty well. I keep a copy on a flash drive for whenever I go to someone's house to help with computer problems and I have a number of other diagnostic tools included as well.)



2) Create the bootable media and include the latest virus definitions

3) Boot the infected/suspect computer by using the bootable media and run a full/complete/deep scan of the computer using preferably at least two different ones. No AV product gets them all, but 2 different products should find and remove just about anything.



B) Alternative method:

1) remove the hard drive from the infected computer

2) slave the drive to a clean computer which already has at least one AV product already installed with the most current definitions. You can do this by installing it into the case (for a desktop) or by putting the drive in an external drive case which you can get for the low teens $. These can be USB (get at least USB 2.0) or eSata - if the 2nd computer has an eSata connection.



3) From the clean machine, run a full/complete scan of the slaved hdd. The computer should already be booted when you connect the external drive, with the AV product already in residential memory (it will have an icon down next to the clock). Then open the AV and run it on the drive. In an ideal world, you should really use two different AV products.



III) If you are unable to do the above, then download and install an AV product and then run it at its deepest level scan. This is not the ideal method as many viruses can hide from AV products if they are already in memory and running before the AV software is executed. There are numerous free ones. I strongly recommend two different AV products and one Adware/Spyware product. For free AV, I would typically recommend Avira, AVG, or Avast as the installed resident (always running) AV solution and Malwarebytes as a secondary, on demand AV product which I run on a weekly basis. For Spyware and Adware, the two top performers there are AdAware (Lavasoft.com) and Spybot Search and Destroy (safer-networking.org) Both offer a free and paid version. The free version is good, the paid version offers more bells and whistles, just like with the AV products.



Once the virus(es) is/are removed, change any and all passwords having to do with anything important like e-mail, financial-banking logins, etc. as those have probably been captured and sent to the author of the virus.



http://support.kaspersky.com/us/viruses/rescuedisk/

http://www.bitdefender.com/support/how-to-create-a-bitdefender-rescue-cd-627.html

https://www.zonealarm.com/forums/showthread.php/72117-boot-disc-zone-alarm-scan

http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/support/supportcenter/how-to-create-a-rescue-cd



Separate from the others I will offer to you is Kaspersky's TDSSKiller. Not an actual Rescue Disk by itself, it is at the very top of the list of root-kit finders/eliminators. You should run this in addition to at least one of the others:

http://usa.kaspersky.com/downloads/TDSSKiller

Answer 2

I am sure it can you lot by formatting hard disk and reinstallation of a new OS but there is another task you have to go through after installation of a new operation system. You had better mount a new antivirus software and a basic firewall to keep away from malicious invasion or attack. That would secure your computer from breakdown and have longevity. Probably it will be able to keep a stable speed to run your software not so slow as the current state again after you have formatted your hard drive and installed a new OS.



By the way, backup for recovery is the most useful and conceivable procedure which can almost exempt any disaster happen to your laptop not least you are not an expert in computer science.

Answer 3

What you propose doing will only be a temporary fix. If you have viruses now, what makes you think you wouldn't just get more viruses by doing the same things online that you did before the format of the hard drive. And unless you have older backups of your personal files, you wouldn't be able to back them up now for re-installation after the System Recovery, because there may be viruses on your personal files. Normally running your anti virus software, Malwarebytes free software, etc., will keep you fairly safe from "normal" virus problems. If you tend to be careless about websites and links you open, then Your "clean" hard drive will soon be a mess again. There are many programs right in Windows versions that will keep your hard drive running well. Disk Cleanup, defragging, the sfc/scannow program, CCleaner, etc., are all programs that will assist in keeping your computer running efficiently. You have to run these software several times weekly to stay on top of possible problems.

Answer 4

Mindows OS regardless of version accumulate obsolete registry keys as well as disk errors. First download and run Malwarebytes, next run disk cleanup making sure to checkmark all appropriate categories, then check disk for errors, check to see if defragmentation has been run on schedule, if not set up a regular schedule for this. Now that you've done all this you may need to run a good anti-virus. If you have several infections present download a good free antivirus on a computer known to be clean then load it on a thumb drive. Now insert thumb drive into infected computer and run anti-virus. Complete instructions on this are available on the internet.

It may be necessary to do the above because a severely infected computer will often block the installation of any anti-virus.

Once you get your computer clean you may want to install a good maintenance suite such as System Mechanic and by all means avoid risky websites because no anti-virus protects you from using your mouse which opens the door when you click enter.

Finally all this helps you preserve your software, settings and other data while reformatting is only temporary and you will land in the same spot by not doing all of the above. Enjoy your computer the way it was meant to be.

Answer 5

All these people saying format your hard drive. Here is problem with that. Do you have the original windows disk? If you bought your laptop at bigbox store, you don't have a win7 dvd. all the drivers and software that make that laptop run, are on there already, just clean up the junk, malware bytes, superanti spyware, these are free, and will remove trash. Have you ever in your life cleaned out the cache for your browser? Google Chrome or IE, both work better if you clean out the cache. Unless you are an expert, i would stray away format and reload.

Answer 6

Hope you get this. I support a lot of pc's & macs and I NEVER reformat an older drive! What I do instead is install a NEW drive and keep the old drive JUST TO BE SAFE. This has saved my clients 'special files' a number of times. AND old drives are near failure.



And: new drives are faster! I suggest Solid State!!!! They are SUPER FAST!!!! Effectively the pc operates like 3x to 30x faster! Everyone so far RAVES about their solid state drive! I personally put a 1TB SSD in my laptop and CAN NOT ever go back to a normal drive. My pc boots in like 6 seconds, programs start FAST.



SSD's are now cost effective.



If you need massive storage, go HYBRID. That is, part solid state and part hard drive. The startup and common stuff is FAST. I like the 2TB SSHD.

Answer 7

Just a temporary fix. Format and reinstall windows, and I would invest in an antivirus/internet protection program. Also to help in the future defrag/optimize hard drive every week with a freeware program such as Auslogics and others. Get Revo-uninstaller for pesky programs, and Ccleaner to clean registry and web browsers. There are also some antivirus freeware, check those out.

Answer 8

Hi this is a common issue for many people your best bet would be to format your hard drive and restore your operating system. Formatting and restoring your hard drive should delete all of your unwanted viruses and junk files.

Answer 9

I've had my computer for 5 years and have NEVER even thought about formatting. Junk? I delete that. Viruses, Malware and spies? I got AVG Professional, Malwarebytes and Spybot.

I cannot even imagine the nightmare of formatting and reinstalling all the programs I have. Many hours and maybe even days lost.

Got better things to do.

Answer 10

Format your Windows Drive and install windows

Answer 11

I Format and Reinstall of windows will remove Viruses as long as not in Recovery so Prob best to download Malwarebytes Free version update and run scan and it will remove viruses and then Reformat computer

https://www.malwarebytes.org/

Answer 12

Well, First you test your hard drive with a diagnostic tool:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/Check-a-drive-for-errors

If problem not solved then better to follow steps mention below:

It may not be virus-related. The hard drive may be failing, so back up all your data to another location and test the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic software for DOS which loads from a bootable CD (you can't test your operating system hard drive with Windows software). The links are here: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

Answer 13

Take a look down by your clock. See all those icons? They're using memory.

press WinLogo key + R

type "msconfig" in dialog box, without the quotes

Next window

Place a dot in Selective Startup. . .

Left click on Startup tab

Uncheck everything that is NOT essential.

OK out of all windows,

Then Restart computer



Pic below is of my msconfig . . . see comment below

Answer 14

You could format your hard drive it it would be too time consuming to manually uninstall all the programs you don't want and run virus checks. I suggest readyboost which can speed up your computer. Readyboost can be accessed by inserting a USB you don't use and right clicking and clicking on the readyboost tab.

Answer 15

Instead of formatting first scan your laptop with a good antivirus..

Better scan with Norton, its working nice these days..



http://buy-static.norton.com/norton/ps/3up_in_en_navnis360_brandfr.html?om_sem_cid=hho_sem_sy:in:ggl:en:e|kw0000001010|41493379939|c&country=IN



You can download Norton antivirus from the below link..



And remove any unwanted software installed from your laptop, it saves you RAM and boosts your PC..



So, you need not format your PC just because its slow or because it is affected with virus..

Answer 16

Well yeah but its a bit like using a Sledgehammer to crack a nut. Remember you lose everything. Any games or software you have paid for will be gone. Why don't you just scan with a decent antivirus, clean out your registry and all the junk with Ccleaner and defragment your hard drive. That should solve your problem.

Answer 17

For running slow there are many causes:

Microsoft Registry Problems = Slow Computer!

Spyware/Adware

RAM

De-Fragmenting

Answer 18

You should copy all your data files (My Documents, My Pictures etc) to a CD. Formatting is going to remove everything off your hard drive. You will have to re-install all programs.

Answer 19

Yes, If you have a brand like, HP, Dell Toshiba, etc, you shall backup the old drive. Restore (recover) the default factory image (Press F11 at boot or start recovery option from start menu). when logging install a bit defender free hook extarnal drive and scan before transfer file to the laptop.

Answer 20

Yes. If your data not important. You should format your hard and install the window. After that your laptop performance perfect.

Answer 21

Get the Microsoft Security Essentials. I use the Quick Scan mode twice a week to ensure that I don't get any unwarranted virus or malware. You are able to uninstall some programs that you don't need.

Answer 22

Formatting your computer would likely give it a speed boost and definately remove viruses.

Answer 23

Separate from the others I will offer to you is Kaspersky's TDSSKiller. Not an actual Rescue Disk by itself, it is at the very top of the list of root-kit finders/eliminators. You should run this in addition to at least one of the others:

Answer 24

Disable the unwanted program using msconfig.

Defragment the harddisk.

uninstall the unused software for the long period of time.

delete the temporary file in %temp% and temp.

make sure u have at least 5gb of free space in c drive.

Answer 25

1

Answer 26

format hard drive and install new operating system, would solve your problem with viruses and slow performance.

Answer 27

Yes format and re-install Windows.

Good plan.

Run Ccleaner once a week. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

Answer 28

Yes

Answer 29

If you are not dependent upon particular windows programs, try using Linux Ubuntu. I use it for downloads of all sorts as there are really no viruses for it. All the apps you need are free and open source.

Answer 30

I would download some anti virus software such as Super Anti Spyware, Malwarebytes, or and spybot search and destroy

Answer 31

As according to you Your system is slow due to some junk file. and old operating system. For boost up system refresh the operating System.

Answer 32

back everything up then reset you computer back to it's factory setting and install all the updates. If you Google how to reset computer to factory setting there will be plenty way sites telling you how

Answer 33

Format your laptop and reinstall windows.

Answer 34

Use avast anti virus 2015

Answer 35

Change Your Laptop I must say check the source you need to upgrade your system

Answer 36

i also had this problem...bro in computers hard drive is a problem



but it can laptop FAN is also a problem first check ur lappy's fan then check anything else

Answer 37

shold not be loaded aaplication in C drive .. try to keep more space in C drive no need to format your pc .. if you wish go for the formatt thats better ..

Answer 38

Definitely it would, but try downloading Anti-virus software first to detect, such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Answer 39

first,you have to delete all the stuff on your computer you do not use,next if you have norton or

mcafee anti-virus on your computer they can slow your computer down,next get a good free anti-virus

like avast which scans and updates the anti-virus all the time,now get a good firewall like privacyware.

if you change your anti-virus run a complete scan of your computer to check for virus.i also

use winutilities for one touch cleanup of my computer.

Answer 40

Yea, it will remove all viruses. Save your stuff on a thumb drive.

Answer 41

Clear the viruses with malwarebytes anti malware

Answer 42

S OFCOURSE THATS THE BEST IDEA FOR BEST RESULTS.AFTER FORMATTING INSTALL SMADAV AND WHENEVER YOU COPY FILES FROM YOUR FRIENDS,SCAN AND ENTER.LIVE VIRUS FREE AND USE CLEAN MASTER FOR CLEANING UNWANTED FILES



FINALLY I LIKE TO TELL THAT UNINSTALL UNWANTED SOFTWARES TO YOU ND USE ONLY THE SOFTWARES THATS USEFUL FOR U !!!

Answer 43

Upgrade your hard drive to an SSD Hard drive.

Answer 44

I think first of all you must check virus in your laptop.

Answer 45

format hard disc and setup your winwos

Answer 46

not necessarily. First try unistalling unnecessary softwares.

Answer 47

format and install ubuntu, it never crashes.

Answer 48

you should clean your computer with good antivirus softwares.

Answer 49

check your system specifications first,

Answer 50

In this way you can solve it.

Answer 51

buy a new one

Answer 52

may be or not, increase your possessor capacity.

Answer 53

run spybot search and destroy

Answer 54

please make sure about your laptop's hardware configuration .