Can anyone help me with a windows xp problem im having?

[alan s]

i make downloads but not from porn sites

[ZarPrime]

Yes, they are the worst sites possible!  I have tried software to block him from visiting these site but they are of little help, he's 25 btw.

Hmmm, sounds like he needs a computer of his own to screw up.  After he does it a couple of time, maybe he will learn the lesson. 

Zar Prime

[mnichols7]

 Yep, agreed!

[IchBin]

I actually disable system restore. This is a big target for Virus/spyware to cause you even more headache because they put their crap in your restore files without you knowing. I get my PC running good and ghost the disk to my external hard drive. Anything happens, it takes all of 20 minutes to restore the ghost image.

[mnichols7]

My preferred methods and this is not for everyone, is a complete reformat. I have an external hard drive, 250 GBs where I keep backups of things I really want to keep, plus the usual zip drive and CD and DVDs backups, so I don't mind reformatting, although it can be a real headach to reload all programs.

I have Norton Ghost where I attempted a ghost back-up and the re-install failed.  I guess I did not do it correctly but it scared me from using that method ever again.

I like the restore function, you just have to go back far enough and conscientiously create theses points yourself.

[IchBin]

Always make sure when you ghost your hard drive that you verify the image. Ghost will check the image to make sure it is not corrupt.

[Porky]

My preferred methods and this is not for everyone, is a complete reformat. I have an external hard drive, 250 GBs where I keep backups of things I really want to keep, plus the usual zip drive and CD and DVDs backups, so I don't mind reformatting, although it can be a real headach to reload all programs.

I have Norton Ghost where I attempted a ghost back-up and the re-install failed.  I guess I did not do it correctly but it scared me from using that method ever again.

I like the restore function, you just have to go back far enough and conscientiously create theses points yourself.

Exactly what I do keep my personal files I need externally and scan regularly and format system hard drive if need be....or for those that can't afford an external partion hard drive for operating system and another for personal files. Norton ghost is good for your operating system and files.....Maybe you ran it the wrong way there Marian