Computer Repair Assistance

[joesteel64]

Hey everybody, Im Tidus, pleased to meet you!

I'm starting this thread because, like me and several others right now, are most likely having problems with computer. This thread is for ideas as to how to fix those issues and optimize your computer's performance.

If you don't have a computer related problem or ideas as to how to fix problems PLEASE DO NOT POST IN THIS THREAD

This is a thread for helping and supporting our fellow TFF members.

Now to get started I'm having problems with one of my computers:

Is it safe to delete .inf files? I have a dropper program dropping trojan horses into various areas of my hard drive, and the dropper is contained in an .inf file.

[Blacksmith]

Well, .inf files are merely instructions files so it's quite safe to delete them. Especially if they are trojans. However, I'd scan the file with an anti-virus program to see if it'll do anything. If not, delete the files and do a full scan.

[hellbred]

Yes, I would. .INF are used for setting up software installations and can also communicate to the Internet and register components, like ocx files.

If there was a .inf file included where ever your trojan dropper is located, I would go ahead and delete it.

[joesteel64]

@Seraith: Droppers (the file in question) do not show up except under the most detailed scans. droppers are not infected files themselves, but they can spread the virus whereever they want.

[Blacksmith]

Oh, didn't read that part, lol. Well in that case get the best anti-virus scanner you can >.>...or maybe go to start and then search. Other then that I think it'd be better to get a real computer expert XD, I only can help with most basic problems.

[joesteel64]

OK major update!

i went home and ran antivirus and....The stupid inthing infected 40-some more files! I'm fed up with it so i am going to perform a wipe of sorts. Does anyone know how to load the recovery partition on an HP 533w? The hp website was no help at all in this.

[Kaiser Dragoon]

yeahh, your kinda talking to the wrong people for that kinda thing, I would go ahead and delete the files if you can, without harming your computer. If not, then I would backup all the files you can onto CD's, DVD's, or another HDD(not everyone has an extra 40 gig layin around like I do though) and I would wipe the thing clean and start over. Although, you may not have a copy of your OS either, so, yeah, if you don't, then good luck ^^;;. I don't trust those Recovery things worth a crap, they never restore anything useful, if anything, they make stuff worse.

Sorry I can't be of more help, hell, I'd help you if I could IRL, help with backing up, etc, I am great at that kinda thing, more of a "HULK SMASH!" then rebuild again kinda guy .