Computer HELP!!! FAST!!!!

[RT pRo AuToMaG]

I got blasted really hard with some viruses. I had about 5 trojans and a ton of other files from going to this one website (the type doesn't need to be mentioned ). Anyway, I run Norton, run the newest version of Spybot, thought good, everything is gone, reboot, run spybot again and it hangs up for about an hour. I'm waiting and waiting and eventually it comes through. I go to run Norton, hmm, it didn't start with the computer like it usually does! I go to the start menu and click on the norton icon, and a message pops up that says something about norton being compromised and to reinstall. I go to look this up on the internet and guess what?! The window comes up but there is no button for it at the taskbar! WTF MATE? I went and ran the Trend Micro online virus scan and it caught 2 trojans, but I think I have something a little more complex than that. I dont' really have any important information on my computer, just a ton of music and a few pictures, but right now I have no firewall or virus protection, and I can't get the firewall or virus protection back. HELP PLEASE, AND FAST!!!!!!!!!!

[LudavicoSoldier]

Sounds like its time for a re-format. Please make sure you purchase some decent anti-virus software, or this will just happen again.

[lord1234]

my suggestion
do a fresh install

get your windows XP disk


boot from the CD, delete the partition, recreate it..format it...and reinstall...

merry xmas!

[jayloo]

Install Linux :)

[brianlojeck]

OK, in all seriousness, I suggest two things (I'm a network admin, I've done this before...)

1: (easy)

from another computer, download the latest virus definitions and any removal tools available on www.sarc.com (if you have norton). burn these to CD (the removeal tools should fit on a write-protected floppy)

with your machine running, turn off system restore (START->SETTTINGS->Control Panel->System->System Restore I think, I'm not sitting at an xp box right now)

reboot your machine to Safe Mode, by pressing F8 when windows boots to the point that all the white hatchmarks appear on the bottom of your screen

once it boots to safe mode, run the update, run a full system scan, and run the removal tools, then run another scan. run any spyware-ware you have now as well.

reboot, and hope everything works properly.

2: (better, but requires a screwdriver)
same as above, but transfer your hard drive to another computer, and scan it there. This is also a good way to make backups of any important data if you decide to reformat.

[RT pRo AuToMaG]

I have no idea what the virus was, and the virus definitions were the latest set (6/13/04 I believe). I'm probably gonna end up reformatting. I didn't have anything important on there anyway except for music and pictures, and I can just put those on a CD.