[Jabberwocky]

When my friend logged into the campus network she got pounded by viruses. Our techs being the morons they are told her what I had told her. She needed to reformat.

I had never reformatted a Dell, or even a laptop, before. I had just finished my computer when I finally got to hers.

I'm not sure how to do this. I figured it would reformat just like my computer. I did do the reformatting, and split her hard drive into 2 partitions. There was a small partitaion there already I didn't think anything of it.

I reformatted and installed XP Pro w/ SP2, upgrade from her home edition. The problem is is the resolution is stuck at 640X480 and 4 bit. Those are the only choices.

I also can't log onto the internet to dl drivers. We're suppose to log into the college's network, but I can't get it to. It says it can't find her network card or wants to go through MSN. Help!!! Please
_________________
Im not saying that there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but warning labels should be remove and let the problem take
care of itself.

[Awetopsy]

Holy crow! Havent seen you round here in a loooong time. Sudden resurgence of classic sijun peeps.

As for the Dell, All dells should come with a driver utility CD. Even from a clean format the Driver Util cd should install all the drivers just fine. Otherwise all the drivers individually are almost impossible to find. I run a lab of Dells where I work and reformatting them was a pain.

if she doesnt have the CD she might wanna call Dell and get one shipped to her.

more info about installing from the cd can be found here.

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks.

I figured I was going to need to have her contact Dell. What I have been telling everyone who brings me there Dell computer... Every semster when we get back someone(s) brings a virus or two onto the campus. This one has taken out tons of computers. Including mine... not sure how, but it did. Our tech then get smart, HAHAHA, and put up a firewall blocking any ftping, downloading, or logging onto any other server (no EQ *sob* and they won't let me contect directly to Sony), and the internet all together... nice for students who have online courses.

My roommate has a Dell and the girl acrossed the hall does too. When I get my laptop I'm getting a Mac.

And yes I haven't posted in forever, I know my bad. Been trying to catch up in my new major. Changed from CJ forensic Anthropology to K-12 Art education with consentrations in Ceramics and Sculpture and a minor in Forensic Science.
_________________
Im not saying that there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but warning labels should be remove and let the problem take
care of itself.

[Gort]

[Jabberwocky]

I had SP2 and NAV and NPF 05 on my computer and still ended up getting it. I just reformatted my computer for the second time, second time was cause I wanted to do something different.

The techs blocked us from being able to download anything period so we couldn't even get updates if we wanted to. Plus she doesn't have internet at home so when she logged on here was the first time she was on the net since last semster, and her just logging in she got hit.

Not sure how much is really a virus and how much is the techs getting into our computers. They have tried over 10 times in the last 3 semsters to get onto my computer.

But I am so getting a Mac... Not because I dislike PCs I have a desktop that's a PC... I would like to have a Mac as well, and since I'm looking at getting a laptop might as well make it a Mac... I am so not getting a Dell! ! !
_________________
Im not saying that there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but warning labels should be remove and let the problem take
care of itself.

[Gort]

urp

If all of those measures were taken, I'd bet the user or someone else accidently pulled down and installed malware. That's the only way something like that could happen, especially after SP2, Norton, etc. SP2 by default will not allow ANY activex controller to run - it will require permission, and most if not all malware requires activex.

oh well . . .
_________________
- Tom Carter

"You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf" - Jack Kornfield

[Jabberwocky]

Well I got her Dell up and running... after a few 'colourful' words and almost tossing it down the hall or out the window. Thanks for your help.

I am so getting a iBook or Powerbook now... I am not going to deal with Dell. (yes I know Dell isn't the only company that has laptops)
_________________
Im not saying that there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but warning labels should be remove and let the problem take
care of itself.