[walkstop]

Originally Posted by brightspot01

I have a Dell running Vista (which is often a headache). I have an external hard drive for back ups but you don't need to do that for a system restore. A system restore just resets your computer to an earlier date without losing any important data.

To do a system recovery you need to back up your files first or all will be lost since your computer is erased and you reload everything as new.

I, too, have had a nasty virus. My first recommendation would be to make sure your anti virus is up to date and has checked your computer. If you still have the virus, then try Windows Live One Care. It has fixed many problems I have had.

Before I perform a system recovery, I try any and all things possible such as: disc cleanup, error-checking, defrag, registry clean, adaware, etc. Most often, one of these will be corrective. I also do a search about how to eliminate the virus in addition to going into forums seeking solutions.

If all fails, then last resort is a system recovery where you wipe the slate clean and start over again. It's a real pain in the a** but the only way to solve a serious problem.

Good luck...been there, done that!

So far I have tried everything you listed plus more multiple times. According to spybot search and destroy i have over 200 problems and they keep coming back. It is going to be a real pain, but I hope it will be better in the long run.