Total Noob Question

free cable pron · 04-13-2006, 02:45 PM

Alright, so... I'm a total noob, so please bear with me.

I was given a laptop a few days ago. There's nothing horribly wrong with it - the only real problem is that there's a ton of spyware on the thing. So I want to reformat the hard drive. However, I'm afraid that by doing so, I might lose my display drivers, CD-R drivers, etc., etc.

Is there any way that I can make a backup of all of the drivers on the system currently, so that when I do reformat the hard drive, all I have to do is restore them to the system? How would I go about doing that?

Thanks a lot.

Peace,
- FCP

peecee · 04-13-2006, 02:55 PM

Anything on the system could potentially be compromised. Whip out a trusty piece of paper and record any physical details you can get from info on the machine. Maybe go so far as to take digital picture of the system config screens and various control panels. No way I'd think about transferring anything off a machine that is potentially affected by viruses/infections/spyware/trojans/adware etc.

joego · 04-13-2006, 03:01 PM

Usually laptops come bundled with tools like that, or at least come with a reformat disk. As for a way to backup all your current drivers you could look through windows to find a way, but with out any more specifics I can't really help you more.

Wiredwrx · 04-13-2006, 03:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by free cable pron

Alright, so... I'm a total noob, so please bear with me.

I was given a laptop a few days ago. There's nothing horribly wrong with it - the only real problem is that there's a ton of spyware on the thing. So I want to reformat the hard drive. However, I'm afraid that by doing so, I might lose my display drivers, CD-R drivers, etc., etc.

Is there any way that I can make a backup of all of the drivers on the system currently, so that when I do reformat the hard drive, all I have to do is restore them to the system? How would I go about doing that?

Thanks a lot.

Peace,
- FCP

Also dude, get the model number of the laptop, and go to the manufacturers website. I have never been to a manufacturers website and not been able to download the drivers for a unit. Even if the manufacturer doesn't have downloads, you can search the web for almost every device in the world and find the drivers.

Don't worry about it so much.

Michael

anky1 · 04-13-2006, 03:51 PM

Or you could just clean off the spyware, viruses, etc.

have you ever heard of/used hijackthis? If you PM me a log I can help you out. or if you need more info on the software let me know.

Don't get me wrong formatting is an option, but just incase you want to keep it intact. You have my option.

Wiredwrx · 04-13-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by anky1

Or you could just clean off the spyware, viruses, etc.

have you ever heard of/used hijackthis? If you PM me a log I can help you out. or if you need more info on the software let me know.

Don't get me wrong formatting is an option, but just incase you want to keep it intact. You have my option.

Or connect it to the net and use adaware or one of the virus checkers at trendmicro.net or pandasoftware.com.

Michael

canibusfan · 04-13-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by free cable pron

Alright, so... I'm a total noob, so please bear with me.

I was given a laptop a few days ago. There's nothing horribly wrong with it - the only real problem is that there's a ton of spyware on the thing. So I want to reformat the hard drive. However, I'm afraid that by doing so, I might lose my display drivers, CD-R drivers, etc., etc.

Is there any way that I can make a backup of all of the drivers on the system currently, so that when I do reformat the hard drive, all I have to do is restore them to the system? How would I go about doing that?

Thanks a lot.

Peace,
- FCP

just go into safe mode w/ networking and run spy sweeper

free cable pron · 04-14-2006, 02:27 AM

Thanks a lot, guys. You've been a big help.

I reformatted the laptop. I'm on it right now, as a matter of fact. There's only one problem: every driver that I've found is working perfectly aside for the driver for my DVD-ROM. I'm on a Toshiba Satellite A15-S1292, and it seems that all the DVD-ROM drivers are for Windows 2000. That's something of a mystery, though, because the only operating system that's ever been on this laptop is Windows XP Home Edition. Anyone care to shed some light on that subject for me?

Once again, thanks for your help. You guys are really amazing. I mean, six responses? I'm flattered.

Peace.

DarquePervert · 04-14-2006, 05:54 AM

You shouldn't need a driver for an optical drive in WindowsXP.

Wiredwrx · 04-14-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

You shouldn't need a driver for an optical drive in WindowsXP.

Michael

free cable pron · 04-14-2006, 11:57 AM

Well, every time I try to play a DVD, it tells me that a viable decoder can't be found... I figured that had to do with a driver.

My noobness is astounding. =)

Anyway, the audio isn't working either... o_o;

b8bboi · 04-14-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by free cable pron

Well, every time I try to play a DVD, it tells me that a viable decoder can't be found... I figured that had to do with a driver.

My noobness is astounding. =)

Anyway, the audio isn't working either... o_o;

Your DVD-Rom is fine. You need a software DVD player like WinDVD or PowerDVD.

free cable pron · 04-14-2006, 12:08 PM

So am I looking for a codec for both the audio and the DVD drive, or...?

I am teh lost!
- FCP

peecee · 04-14-2006, 12:17 PM

You're looking for a license to allow you to play encrypted DVDs. If you play a DVD filled with AVI or MPG files, does it work ok? Probably. I agree with b8bboi and the others.

free cable pron · 04-14-2006, 12:30 PM

Any ideas on my sound issue? There's like... nothing at all...

Sorry to be such a pest, haha. XD