Hi,
My new laptop has a virus. Unfortunately, when I bought the laptop with Windows XP, they did not have any back up disks. Where can I get/purchase in Taipei Windows XP in English? I have gone to several places and can’t find anything it English…
Thx.
Martin.
I think I saw it in FNAC before.
Great! I’m not familar with FNAC. Where are they located?
Thx.
Martin
If you have a manual for that computer, this would be a good time to take it out and check if there is anything written about “how to restore Windows”. Yes, they often don’t give you install CDs for Windows these days, but usually part of the harddisk is reserved for all files needed to install XP again. That option should be available in your case too, so I would check for that first…
[quote=“tilkster”]Great! I’m not familar with FNAC. Where are they located?
Thx.
Martin[/quote]
FNAC: Northwest Corner of Nanjing East Rd. and TunHwa North Rd. In the Asiaworld Mall building on the B1 floor. Nice place to hang out. They have a lot of English books, CDs, DVDs, Plasma TVs, computer stuff, and a pretty good camera section.
On Ba De Rd at the Computer market there is also place on the southside of the street. Look for a store selling software.
I usually get the OEM version of XP Pro but it can only be sold together with hardware. I think it is a little cheaper this way.
Try NOVA, there are some places in there that sell the real thing.
Just ask around.
Kenneth
My laptop comes with restore disks. They don’t say Windows XP but something like rescue disks.
The Chinese version of WIndows XP displays English perfectly well. That’s what I’m using right now - English menus, English everything. It was preinstalled though so I’m not sure what it’s like to actually try installing the Chinese version from a CD.
[quote]
If you have a manual for that computer, this would be a good time to take it out and check if there is anything written about “how to restore Windows”. [/quote]
Basically, manuals that comes with your PC doesn’t have info about your Operating System. It would only have instructions about the Hardware or maybe a vague description on how to install an operating system. Manuals for installation of OS’s comes with the CD, in which he doesn’t have.
Anyway… what kind of virus infected your PC?
It would help if you give the name of the Virus, or be a bit specific on how your PC won’t work…
Can you still get in your desktop?
if not, try getting a boot disk
bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
Now after getting a boot disk. Start your PC and restore your system registry to a time when you haven’t been infected yet.
Try this on the command line
SCANREG /RESTORE
If you can't seem to figure it out, try
scanreg /?The command would let you choose a backup in your PC of your choice.
Now after that get online and go to
www.housecall.trendmicro.com and check out what kind of virus you got and removal methods. Or just run your antivirus software if you have one. Don’t waste $$$ on your PC while you can still fix it without the setup disk.
If you can still get into your Desktop, then just go to the website i mentioned earlier. Also restore your system files as i mentioned above.
Or you can stop the Virus from running everytime you start your pc.
Step 1:
Look at your startup folder
Default directory for WIN XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
Look for programs that have been added there which are not supposed to run. (I assume you know which programs you use right.)
Someone who makes a virus would not be stupid enough to leave it on the startup folder but look at it anyway. You’ll never know!
Step 2:
After checking your startup folders click the
start button->run->
Then type msconfig
Look for programs that runs when your computer starts and remove anything you don’t need. Just write down what you remove so you could restore it if you make a mistake 
By the way you should look at the start up programs and win.ini
optionally on autoexec.bat
Step 3:
After step 2, click the
start button -> run-> regedit
Now these are the most common places a writer would drop his Virus or worm
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Remove any items which looks suspicious.
Note if you don’t want to use step 2, you can also open these files
win.ini
autoexec.bat
Well there are other ways to load up a virus into your PC, but if you got your Virus from IE exploits which could get you infected without knowing it,(Mostly from embedded scripts that runs when you open your email) then the three steps above are enough to pinpoint the location of the Virus.
But if you got a virus by downloading a program , then thats a different story.
Note: Before i forget, if you are really infected by a virus, then do not just delete the executable file if you find it. (Some people think thats enough) PC Viruses is called a virus for a reason. Like biological ones, they replicate. Which means it could copy itself or make a backup copy somewhere in your PC and run with other programs. The steps i mentioned are a few ways of detecting them. But knowing this is not enough. You should get an Antivirus software if you want to play it safe.
Oh!! Another thing, you can go to the store where you bought it. They are supposed to be required to give you a CD of whatever OS you got installed when you bought it. Most of the retailers are required to give a CD of an OS of your choice if you buy the whole package from them. But if you just bought certain parts like only the mother board or HD etc. etc. then hehe, too bad for you 
Anyway i hope this post helped
How’s FNAC for other English software? I’m looking for anti-virus stuff.
[quote=“Kahna”]How’s FNAC for other English software? I’m looking for anti-virus stuff.[/quote]I have seen the newest Norton Anti-Virus and Systemworks (Antivirus and utilities and other stuff) in English, but I forgot where I saw it now 
I’ll try to remember next time I go out. But it does exist if you look around.
If it’s for private use get a FREE virus scanner here: AVG Free Edition. It’s updated frequently, scans your email etc.
Excellent, thanks very much.
Agree with Rascal about the AVG anti virus, it is good and it is FREE.
For those still looking for a place that does English software, then close to the Guanghua Market, almost directly opposite the TVBS building entrance is a shop that does quite a lot of english language software, it is generally where i buy most of mine, the last time i looked it had Windows XP. It is where i got mine.
I just got mine from a place called kazaa. Wonderfull!
Hope you have a good anti-virus program. 
IRC is the way of the future (past as well!). No fakes.
Thx to all for your suggestions!
Martin.
Hey,
I just placed an ad concerning problems with my OS.Lately when i tried to scan with Nort.Anti-Vir. it started running but after a while my whole pc went down.So i thought i had something on my OS.Well i checked this topic and to be on the save side i decided to try and download AVG Free Edition.Just did a scan and this one found a Trojan on my system.I just don’t know or i have to do something else now.Can i check or there are some damaged files on the OS.I’m a beginner so don’t know or this is a stupid idea or not?
Any suggestions are welcome.
Cheers!