A one-click fix for Windows Update problems - How do I reset Windows Update components ?

oh :S this is why i like MAC's! lol no infections! lol

how do i clean up my router?

i can reinstall vista as i have the backup disks to reinstall. when i put them in what do i need to do to wipe it and reinstall? i can't remember coz i did it before co i thought my bluetooth wasnt working when it was but i had the wireless bit off and didnt look! lol also how do i format the hard drive?

i think i might know what it was, something called yantoo or something like that, i installed and i think thats when it started!

so what is the best thing to do? should i reinstall vista? but how do i clean my router as well? will anti-virus software and that not pick that up?

how is this trojan affecting me? what is it doing to the laptop? what info is it getting too?

" how do i clean up my router? "

Reset the router according to the manufacturer's directions. Then unplug it and wait at least 15 minutes.

Plug it back in again and reset it once more .

" oh :S this is why i like MAC's! lol no infections! lol "

When enough people are using Macs, then the criminals will come after them, too. Don't be fooled by Apple's ridiculous assertion that Macs are more secure than Windows.

ANY system connected to the net CAN be owned by someone who has patience and a little smarts.

" i can reinstall vista as i have the backup disks to reinstall. when i put them in what do i need to do to wipe it and reinstall? "

Configure the BIOS to boot from the DVD player; insert the Vista DVD, and boot the system.

Choose the Install option. When you're asked which partition to install to, pick the one that Vista is installed to and choose to Format it first.

Do the Full option, not the Quick option.

How to install Windows Vista

" will anti-virus software and that not pick that up?how is this trojan affecting me? what is it doing to the laptop? what info is it getting too?"

Only if the AV is kept up to date with it's latest definitions and is used to scan the system once in awhile.

And, only IF that AV is worth installing in the first place. Unfortunately, computer manufacturer's tend to install AVs when they get a kick back for doing so from the company that is selling the AV.

Avoid Norton and McAfee 'products' as though they were the plague.

2 worthwhile free AVs are Avast and Antivir.

You're seeing the affects of the trojan, right ? The system can not access sites you are trying to navigate to.

I certainly hope you're not submitting any personal info via this laptop ... nor doing any online financial transactions.

Who knows what information the Trojan is sending out that you've stored on the laptop ... only you know what you've stored on it.

It may be sending out spam, it may be sending out Phish emails , or,even be a part of a botnet .

To put it as simply as possible ... the laptop now belongs to someone other than you.

When should I format ? How should I reinstall ?

MowGreen MVP Data Center Management - Update Services Consumer Security

hi, thanks for all the help! what is BIOS?

I had norton before :S but now i have what you get free with virgin and i think its the other one you said :S i can't have any other programs running with it as it wont let me as when my norton nearly ran out i install a new one (free one) and then i had to remove it when i installed the one that came with virgin as it wouldnt let them both run!

The virgin one updates regularly all the time but i do think its that program i said to you before as i had to give permission to let it through and that and i'm sure that's when it all started.

Not doing any banking or anything. really the only things is MSN, facebook and browsing nothing else really. Does that mean they have my passwords?

Do i need to format or can i just reinstall vista?

hi, just want to let you know that i've rebooted my router (virgin said i just had to turn it off at the plug for 15 sec's and then back on and it was wiped) and i've reinstalled vista and my updates are working :) thank you for all your help! the anti-virus software i've got is pc-total guard. hope that's a good one!

thanks again!