System Restore to Factory Settings - Windows XP

After having my internet access disabled, I was told by my ISP that there had
been 1,000's of emails sent through my modem, that this was probably caused
by an infected email, nonsafe websurfing, or using peer to peer fostering
programs (I don't even know what that last one is!) I was told that one way,
(which seems like the quickest and easiest way) to fix this is to do a system
restore back to the factory settings. I have Windows XP. If I do the system
restore, will I lose all my files? If so, should I save them all to a flash
drive first, and if so, how do I know some of the files I'm saving aren't
infected? Can I do a system restore back to factory settings using the
System Restore tool in Windows? I would REALLY appreciate some help! Thank
you!!!

How or who disabled it,are you cable connected or dial-up..Either way,
yes restore pc to factory if done with oem cds will cause all data loss.Why
restore,download windows defender &/or run youre anti-virus,defender
should help.Is youre firewall installed in xp,open
controll-panel/firewall,exceptions,
only programs listed should be IE,windows peer to peer,PNRP,UPNP framework,
& chk the box.Also,in internet options,security,L.click on a icon,select
default
setting,do for all,then open advanced tab,set to default,close out.Restore if
needed but why,also,e-mails routed thru youre modem...Hardly possible,youre
internet connection couldnt handle that volume in a week running 24/7

"Kim" wrote:

> After having my internet access disabled, I was told by my ISP that there had
> been 1,000's of emails sent through my modem, that this was probably caused
> by an infected email, nonsafe websurfing, or using peer to peer fostering
> programs (I don't even know what that last one is!) I was told that one way,
> (which seems like the quickest and easiest way) to fix this is to do a system
> restore back to the factory settings. I have Windows XP. If I do the system
> restore, will I lose all my files? If so, should I save them all to a flash
> drive first, and if so, how do I know some of the files I'm saving aren't
> infected? Can I do a system restore back to factory settings using the
> System Restore tool in Windows? I would REALLY appreciate some help! Thank
> you!!!

Kim wrote:
> After having my internet access disabled, I was told by my ISP that there had
> been 1,000's of emails sent through my modem, that this was probably caused
> by an infected email, nonsafe websurfing, or using peer to peer fostering
> programs (I don't even know what that last one is!) I was told that one way,
> (which seems like the quickest and easiest way) to fix this is to do a system
> restore back to the factory settings.

Believe me, total system recovery isn't that quick or easy... I just had
to do a partial recovery on a relative's computer with an Operating
System that wouldn't start at all. That type of cure seems a bit drastic
for an infected computer. Why not get an updated virus scanner and
spyware scanner, then scan your system for viruses/trojans? Find a
friend locally who knows a lot about computers, and have them see if
they can find and disable the malware so you can download/update a
decent virus scanner, and scan your hard drive to find out what kind of
malware has taken hold in your system.

> I have Windows XP. If I do the system
> restore, will I lose all my files?

It depends. Some computer manufacturers will, in addition to the
"complete wipe" recovery, provide a "non-destructive" recovery routine
on some of their computer models, which will simply restore the
Operating System, and OEM installed programs back to their factory
installations, but it leaves the aftermarket programs and data files,
for the most part alone. A non-destructive type of recovery could end up
being problematic, as it may leave the malware intact and functioning
leaving you right back where you started. This type of recovery may also
leave you with numerous non-functioning aftermarket programs. I can
vouch for that from first hand experience.

> If so, should I save them all to a flash drive
> first, and if so, how do I know some of the files
> I'm saving aren't infected?

If you want to save files, of course copy them to a flash drive, or burn
them to an optical CD/DVD. Once you get a clean system, you'll have to
install an anti-virus application, and scan your files before copying
them over to your reclaimed system if you want to be sure that non are
infected.

Kim wrote:
> After having my internet access disabled, I was told by my ISP that there had
> been 1,000's of emails sent through my modem, that this was probably caused
> by an infected email, non-safe web-surfing, or using peer to peer fostering
> programs (I don't even know what that last one is!) I was told that one way,
> (which seems like the quickest and easiest way) to fix this is to do a system
> restore back to the factory settings. I have Windows XP. If I do the system
> restore, will I lose all my files? If so, should I save them all to a flash
> drive first, and if so, how do I know some of the files I'm saving aren't
> infected? Can I do a system restore back to factory settings using the
> System Restore tool in Windows? I would REALLY appreciate some help! Thank
> you!!!

If you save an infected file, then restore to factory install, the
infected file/s won't be referenced or run. Running anti-spyware and
anti-virus software next will then remove the infected files.

--
Joe =o)

It sounds like you've been hit by a massmailer worm. First thing is to
identify the actual infection, and what it does to the computer. Only then
can you make an informed decision whether to repair, or format (destructively
wipe) the disk.

In the vast majority of cases, a repair is possible, and will take a lot
less time than a full reisntall.

Lavasoft's Ad-Aware is a good tool for identifying such nasties. That, along
with AVG antivirus should be a good starting point.

Once you've cleared the problem (whether you repair of wipe) you need to
evaluate your security policies to prevent a repeat. By far the most
important thing is to get a more secure Web-browser, such as Firefox.