Poll: Should I just give up?

[Agent Larkin]

I volunteered to help fix my friends PC. The main problem is it is full of so many programs and stuff its CPU usage is 100%. Im trying to help by first uninstalling his AVG anti-virius software but I have been watching it work painstakingly slowly work its way through a
start up and refresh's for a solid 9 hours so my question for you escapists should I give up? Also if anyone know a quick way of wiping all the data off of a Computer without damaging it and uninstalling the operating system please please please share!!!!

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

Without damaging it?
Well, I'm out of ideas.

Sorry.

 

[TheLastCylon]

Ugh, sounds like a nightmare. I can't really think of anything you can do. Feel free to give your friend a good smack in the head for installing that many programs though.

 

[sky14kemea]

System Restore?

otherwise, i have no idea, you need a pro to look at it

 

[fulano]

Format the damn thing and then re-install the OS, that'll fix everything.

 

[Agent Larkin]

Format the damn thing and then re-install the OS, that'll fix everything.

I tried that. The PC won't recognise the disc and I don't have a copy of Windows XP lying around I can use from my own computer. Also I can't get clear instrictions on how to format the dammned thing.

 

[Armored Prayer]

Give it to Geek Squad.

Thats all I think of.

 

[Agent Larkin]

Give it to Geek Squad.

Thats all I think of.

I regrettably am the geek squad in this situation. There are only three people I know who are better then me. Two of them I won't see till September and one of them hell I don't know how to contact him even if I needed too.

 

[Agent Larkin]

delete the system 32 that does the trick everytime

How much damage am I talking here?

 

[AdmiralWolverineLightningbolt]

take the computer apart, install a new hard drive and perform a reboot
if it still doesnt work then you need a new computer

 

[Agent Larkin]

take the computer apart, install a new hard drive and perform a reboot
if it still doesnt work then you need a new computer

I would but im not buying new parts for his damn computer.

 

[megapenguinx]

I volunteered to help fix my friends PC. The main problem is it is full of so many programs and stuff its CPU usage is 100%. Im trying to help by first uninstalling his AVG anti-virius software but I have been watching it work painstakingly slowly work its way through a
start up and refresh's for a solid 9 hours so my question for you escapists should I give up? Also if anyone know a quick way of wiping all the data off of a Computer without damaging it and uninstalling the operating system please please please share!!!!

Here is how I'd do it:
See the usage is up so high because he most likely has a ton of spyware/malware. Find an external enclosure and stick the hard drive in it. Plug it into a machine running a Unix based OS and wipe the drive. Put the drive back into the computer then try loading the OS on it again from there.
If you lack any of the above, then just follow these directions: http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html or http://www.wikihow.com/Format-a-Hard-Drive

 

[Agent Larkin]

I volunteered to help fix my friends PC. The main problem is it is full of so many programs and stuff its CPU usage is 100%. Im trying to help by first uninstalling his AVG anti-virius software but I have been watching it work painstakingly slowly work its way through a
start up and refresh's for a solid 9 hours so my question for you escapists should I give up? Also if anyone know a quick way of wiping all the data off of a Computer without damaging it and uninstalling the operating system please please please share!!!!

Here is how I'd do it:
See the usage is up so high because he most likely has a ton of spyware/malware. Find an external enclosure and stick the hard drive in it. Plug it into a machine running a Unix based OS and wipe the drive. Put the drive back into the computer then try loading the OS on it again from there.
If you lack any of the above, then just follow these directions: http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html or http://www.wikihow.com/Format-a-Hard-Drive

Thank you.

 

[fulano]

Format the damn thing and then re-install the OS, that'll fix everything.

I tried that. The PC won't recognise the disc and I don't have a copy of Windows XP lying around I can use from my own computer. Also I can't get clear instructions on how to format the dammned thing.

Look, if the computer is in such bad shape as you described you have to either format it or start erasing stuff indiscriminatedly(<--did I write it right?).

If you opt for formatting it, and assuming your disc drive is in working condition, you'll need a different disc(a working one). As for he actual formatting, there are a slew of useful guides on how to do that around the web. It's not that hard and I'm sure you'll find one that helps you just fine, you just have to keep at it.

Remember, you don't have to have an OS to format the damn thing or to install a new one(though you can still do it).

 

[wewontdie11]

If I was in your situation, I'd just use a hammer. I don't know enough about computers to suggest anything else.

 

[AdmiralWolverineLightningbolt]

take the computer apart, install a new hard drive and perform a reboot
if it still doesnt work then you need a new computer

I would but im not buying new parts for his damn computer.

fair enough, get him to pay then cause his hard drive sounds fucked up as hell but the computer itself sounds like it's running

 

[Agent Larkin]

take the computer apart, install a new hard drive and perform a reboot
if it still doesnt work then you need a new computer

I would but im not buying new parts for his damn computer.

fair enough, get him to pay then cause his hard drive sounds fucked up as hell but the computer itself sounds like it's running

The computer itself is fine just full of anti-virus programs.

 

[lizards]

tell your friend hes a fucking idoit and then say it aint happening

 

[Agent Larkin]

Grab all the important things off of it, then reinstall the OS of your choice . Make sure to virus scan all of it before you put it back on though.

Im not saving any of his data and if it was up too me I would install either the most basic Linux or the most Complicated Linux to teach him not to do it again.

 

[AdmiralWolverineLightningbolt]

take the computer apart, install a new hard drive and perform a reboot
if it still doesnt work then you need a new computer

I would but im not buying new parts for his damn computer.

fair enough, get him to pay then cause his hard drive sounds fucked up as hell but the computer itself sounds like it's running

The computer itself is fine just full of anti-virus programs.

really? just 9 hours... crikey
and it wont format?

seek professional help or give up id say