Save the PC

[Newbie101]

Hello, recently I got a really old pc from a friend. He tells me that he can't use it cause the system is "messed up" and that if I could fix it, I could have it. Keep in mind that he was an extremely lazy user who did not even keep the OS installation disk. Without it, I can't even do a formatting of the hdd. So the first thing I did was download Malwarebytes and Avira to flush out some of the problems. That created more problems coz every time I try to do a scan, the computer lags very badly and then just shuts down. At this point, I am lost. Any idea of what to do next?
Some additional details: Weird ads popping out of nowhere, browsers filled with unknown taskbars, the firewall has been down for some time and the OS is still a windows xp.

 

[localITguy]

Hello, recently I got a really old pc from a friend. He tells me that he can't use it cause the system is "messed up" and that if I could fix it, I could have it. Keep in mind that he was an extremely lazy user who did not even keep the OS installation disk. Without it, I can't even do a formatting of the hdd. So the first thing I did was download Malwarebytes and Avira to flush out some of the problems. That created more problems coz every time I try to do a scan, the computer lags very badly and then just shuts down. At this point, I am lost. Any idea of what to do next?
Some additional details: Weird ads popping out of nowhere, browsers filled with unknown taskbars, the firewall has been down for some time and the OS is still a windows xp.

option 1

boot to safe mode and run scans and try to clean up as much as you can

option 2

system restore to early date

option 3

install Linux /Windows XP/7 (Download iso and burn to usb stick) Not sure if you can still activate XP

 

[Lineager]

reformat sua.

 

[seesiang]

Similar to those that posted before, reformat is the best way. You never know if there are any persistent threats that are well covered

 

[Newbie101]

Like I said, I can't reformat without losing my OS coz I don't even have the original installation disk. I have considered using Linux, (looking at Ubuntu), but have read that Linux is a poor desktop OS and is much more suited to server uses. What do yall think? Should I just get Ubuntu?

 

[hlots123]

u can try for urself 1st. eg boot & run xubuntu/ubuntu from usb stick/dvd, w/o installing to hdd.
look around for instructns...

 

[seesiang]

If license keys are your main concern, find the necessary software to "restore" your current license keys.

Does this link help?

download free full version windows xp installation cd

 

[Newbie101]

Hello again, like what many people have suggested, I tried reformatting the pc. Problem is, I don't know how to do it. I first downloaded an Ubuntu desktop OS, and then did some research on how to reformat. It said online that I have to have the Ubuntu on a hard drive and during startup, I have to boot from that hard drive. I did but from there on the instructions online did not match the results. Supposedly, there should be some list of partitions for me to delete etc.. But on booting from hd, I get 2 options, one of booting with xp, the other booting with Ubuntu. Booting with Ubuntu brings me to a LUI from which I can't get it to do anything. Booting from xp gives me the standard boot up. Another website said I need to download the xp os to uninstall it first but doing so has not changed anything. End result: stuck. Any ideas?

 

[innosia]

burn windows 7 ISO into DVD and go to BIOS set first boot DVD ROM, and boot from it and perform clean install

you can get windows 7 iso anywhere but the problems is with the key, you need it to activate windows. IF you dont have, buy a OEM windows 7 disk, sometimes some ppl sell it online though OEM is not that really recommended since it should by right not sell-able without the hardware, or if you have money buy a RETAIL windows 7 disk cost around $500

 

[Newbie101]

Sorry, I was looking for a more zero dollar solution...
Thats why i went with Ubuntu...

 

[hlots123]

Hello again, like what many people have suggested, I tried reformatting the pc. Problem is, I don't know how to do it. I first downloaded an Ubuntu desktop OS, and then did some research on how to reformat. It said online that I have to have the Ubuntu on a hard drive and during startup, I have to boot from that hard drive. I did but from there on the instructions online did not match the results. Supposedly, there should be some list of partitions for me to delete etc.. But on booting from hd, I get 2 options, one of booting with xp, the other booting with Ubuntu. Booting with Ubuntu brings me to a LUI from which I can't get it to do anything. Booting from xp gives me the standard boot up. Another website said I need to download the xp os to uninstall it first but doing so has not changed anything. End result: stuck. Any ideas?

sry, i can't understand ur post. but, see if any help there...

Step-by-step beginner's guide to installing Ubuntu 11.10 - TechSpot Forums
Install Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS | Ubuntu
https://www.google.com.sg/#q=ubuntu step by step installation screenshots

 

[Newbie101]

Sorry for the confusing post.
What I was trying to say is that, in the first link you gave, at step 5, the response my computer gives is different. Instead of showing that screen, it asks if I want to boot xp or Ubuntu. Choosing xp gives me what my computer normally does, choosing Ubuntu gives me a Line User Interface (like a DOS menu).

 

[seesiang]

Seem like you are having dual boot

 

[hlots123]

at step 5, the response my computer gives is different. Instead of showing that screen, it asks if I want to boot xp or Ubuntu. Choosing xp gives me what my computer normally does, choosing Ubuntu gives me a Line User Interface (like a DOS menu).

I first downloaded an Ubuntu desktop OS, and then did some research on how to reformat. It said online that I have to have the Ubuntu on a hard drive and during startup, I have to boot from that hard drive. I did but from there on the instructions online did not match the results. Supposedly, there should be some list of partitions for me to delete etc.. But on booting from hd, I get 2 options, one of booting with xp, the other booting with Ubuntu.

too confusing. u have not past step 5 (means not started installation), yet u are booting ubuntu from hdd?

too tired, pls post pics of:
1. boot screen where u select boot winxp or ubuntu
2. "LUI"

also state info:
which ubuntu ver? 14.04 or 14.10 etc
install via cd/dvd, or via usb?
how did u burn iso file to cd/dvd, or which usb installer?

 

[Newbie101]

Hi again, sorry if I'm not making much sense. After reading your reply I went to your link again and realized that I manually opened the installer while in xp and installed Ubuntu right after I downloaded it. Anyway, I uninstalled it and tried again. This time, I just unzipped everything and left it in my external hard drive. I then rebooted the pc and booted from external hard-drive. Problem is the pc still boots to xp. The Ubuntu version I have is 14.10. Sorry if it's still confusing and I appreciate any help!
PS - I didn't quite get your last question...

 

[hlots123]

ic. u can't just copy the image file .iso or its contents over (won't boot).

do u have dvd writer & discs, or >2gb usb stick in fat32 format?
then use any cd burning program (use option "write image file to disc"), or some bootable usb creator program.

The Official ImgBurn Website
How to create a bootable USB stick on Windows | Ubuntu

 

[hlots123]

14.10 has a bug with some usb installers. if u see error "gfxboot.c32 not a com32r image",
type "live" at prompt and hit enter.

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/usb-creator/+bug/1325801

 

[seesiang]

Installation of

If this could not solve, the best is to get Windows license or go to sim lim square to fix it.

 

[Munchkin.Gia]

I hv 1 ORIGINAL Win XP Pro disk and COA sticker on booklet. You want?
PM me your contact.

 

[Newbie101]

Hello again, sorry it took so long to reply
@hlots: I tried downloading the imgBurn program but was met with 2 problems.
1.) I searched the entire Ubuntu folder but could not find an ISO file to burn.
2.) The program says that it doesn't detect any device to burn an image to, even though the computer can detect the external hard drive
In the Ubuntu folder, I have some folders that I'm not really sure of. There is a installer, a folder called [BOOT] another called boot and another called isolinux as well as several other folders that seem less important.
@Munchkin: Thanks for the offer but seeing as support for XP has ended, I thought I might give linux a try.
@See Siang: Is that another linux distro? If so, how does it change the circumstances. Sorry if I sound rude...